Things You Should Know - Softcover

A second set of short stories (12 years after the publication of the highly acclaimed The Safety of Objects) by a multi-award-winning American writer, certain to gain high critical praise. The eponymous (very) short story deals with a strange obsession, and other tales feature a woman pursuing an unconventional strategy for getting pregnant; a former First Lady showing despair and courage in dealing with her husband's Alzheimer's; and an adult tragedy intruding into a childhood friendship. In an impressive mix of humour, sadness and suspense, Homes displays her exceptional ability to create absorbing stories full of depth and richness that also contain strong psychological and/or sexual undercurrents. With a comic timing so effective, her distinctive narratives demonstrate just how extraordinary the ordinary can be.

Things You Should Know is a collection of dazzling new stories by one of the most talented and daring young American writers. It is A.M. Homes' first collection of stories since the publication twelve years ago of The Safety of Objects, a critically acclaimed classic that immediately established her as one of the masters of the form. Homes is also the author of four novels, including the controversial The End of Alice. Homes' distinctive narratives demonstrate how extraordinary the ordinary can be. A woman pursues an unconventional strategy for getting pregnant; a former First Lady shows despair and courage in dealing with her husband's Alzheimer's; a teacher's list of 'things you already should know but maybe are a little dumb, so you don't' becomes an obsession for someone wasn't at school the day it was given out, and adult tragedy intrudes into a childhood friendship. The stories are full of magic and strangeness and humour, but also demonstrate an uncanny emotional accuracy and compassion.