book rec: get in trouble by kelly link

[bond_girl]

I've just read something that I can really, really recommend.

Get in Trouble is a book of short stories by Kelly Link; a finalist in this year's Pulitzer's for fiction.

These are mundane stories in fantastic universes. These stories are full of dark whimsy and of genuine feelings often concealed from others, and they are often sexy. I don't remember reading anything like this since Roald Dahl's stories for grown-ups (Tales of the Unexpected). Talented storytelling, relatable characters - such a strong collection. Don't discount it just because the world of these stories is out of whack.

"These stories make you laugh while staring into the void." (Boston Globe)

Some teaser plots:

- waitress hangs out with her childhood friend who is now a world-famous superhero
- girl is indentured to look after a house full of mischievous creatures and doorways into another world
- in a modern world run on ancient Egyptian customs, two rich disillusioned teenagers go to a burial chamber
- gay couple go to a disastrous island wedding while their surrogate has pregnancy complications back home
- girl falls in love with her BFF's new robot boyfriend
- astronauts tell (really freaky) ghost stories on a spaceship
- woman with two shadows runs a warehouse in the Keys, at the end of times

There are character names rendered in cartouche symbols and ghosts living in robots; superhero conventions and demon lovers helplessly in love; murder art and a vanished nudist colony. I was blown away and I just have to pass this goodness along :)

Comments

[margottenenbaum.livejournal.com]

Ooooh wow this book sounds SO up my street. I'll have to check it out!

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

I think you'll enjoy this one: it's about very real relationships in the imagined worlds; it's absolutely female-centric; the style is very modern and varied.

Let me know which story you liked best! :) There were a couple I liked less, but only because most of them are so brilliant. It was def worth the Pulitzer attention, I thought.

[peripety]

I've got it downloaded onto my ereader and I'm looking forward to diving in! Thanks for reccing it.

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm positive you'll like at least a few. What drew me in was the writing style and the unpredictability of where a story could turn. I can't wait to discuss!

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

Your icon is gorgeous ;)

Have you already seen The Night Manager? I've started the first episode, but well, life happened :)

[peripety]

I haven't seen Night Manager yet, but I am hoping to do so soonish.

I've read the first two stories of Get In Trouble and loved them both. The second one genuinely managed to creep me out with its unsettling ending. It's been a while since something I read did that, so kudos to Kelly Link.

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

She writes pining guys so well! Of course, I imagined Tom Hiddleston as the demon lover :) You know that I've never quite got everyone's attraction to him as Loki, but he's been AMAZING in Only Lovers Left Alive and The Night Manager. Talented, eloquent, and pretty. I even thought (probably controversially) I could see him as Bond (if Idris Elba isn't available).

If I remember right, the next short story about Paul Zell is my least favorite. I couldn't get into it at all and I even skipped it on the first go.

The ghost stories on a spaceship was the one that gave me the chills!

[impala-chick.livejournal.com]

This sounds fantastic, thanks for the recc. Although it will have to wait until after Captive Prince!

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

Everyone has to wait for the Captive Prince! I actually think that both princes are captive in a way, but it's borderline spoilery why.

I thought Kelly Link was just so talented. If I had even a fraction of her imagination, I could write the best fics ever.

[sumatumania.livejournal.com]

Нашла на русском!
Спасибо за рекомендацию, я была в полнейшем восторге от неожиданных историй Даля :))

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

Отлично! Если понравился Даль, то Келли Линк тоже понравится. Она пишет об очень современном в фантастических ситуациях, и женщины у неё настоящие и разные.

Если прочитаешь, напиши какой из рассказов оказался любимым :)

[sumatumania.livejournal.com]

обязательно напишу, спасибо :))