How It Ended: New and Collected Stories

A Solid Collection from an Underappreciated Author

McInerney has a rare gift to make the unlikeable impossible not to root for in the end. Although I wouldn't personally befriend a lot of these characters, the author is so gifted that I can't help but want them to succeed or remove themselves from the precarious positions they find themselves in from time to time - you just feel like they deserve another chance and that they won't waste it (even though they probably will).

This collection spans his entire career and while some of the stories seem to drag or cover the same ground, it is still a solid collection. I also found it interesting to see his writing progress and some of these stories evolve into longer (and better) pieces in other forms. I recommend this to those who love short stories and those who like McInerney. If neither if these applies, read "Bright Lights, Big City" or "The Good Life" instead and explore this later.

A summary of the twelve new stories

Jay McInerney writes about American society, mostly situated in the South. To a certain degree it reads like the gossip columns in a newspaper.
When you read this collection of twelve short stories, you're under the impression that McInerney has a pessimistic outlook on marriage.
He writes about several aspects of American social life. Although Americans banished aristocracy long before the Revolution, wealthy families - mostly in the South - have the pretensions and a way of social life similar to European nobility. "The Debutante's Return" and "The Last Bachelor" are a good example of that.

I would like to introduce the new short stories one by one.

"Sleeping With Pigs"

A married couple - belonging to the High Society - divide their time between New-York City and a farm in Tennessee. The wife likes to sleep with a pig between her and her husband.

" I Love You, Honey."

A man is unfaithful to his wife. She takes revenge on him in a sophisticated but cruel way.

"The Madonna Of Turkey Season "

Four brothers lost their parents and each year at Thanksgivings Day, they invite all kinds of women at the table: girlfriends and acquaintances or just a girl that happened to be in the neighborhood.

"Everything's Lost"

Sabrina wants to throw a surprise party for her boyfriend. But she's afraid that she won't be able to keep it a secret, now that he suddenly decides to stay at home most of the time.

"Invisible Fences."

A man wakes up around one o'clock in the morning. He goes to the kitchen for a beer and a cigarette. He hears strange noises coming from the living room; his wife lies in the arms of another man.

"The March"

During a march against war with Iraq, two old lovers meet each other. After a while the peaceful march gradually turns into violence.

"Summary Judgement."

A gossip-like story about very wealthy Americans and European aristocracy.

"The Waiter"

America and Europe Again.

"Penelope On The Pond"

The mistress of a man who's running for President is temporarily tucked away in a house near a pond. He promises that when everything is back to normal, he will return to her. How long will she have to wait?

"Putting Daisy Down"

The oldest word: love
The oldest crime: adultery
By the way, Daisy is the name of a cat.

"The Debutante's Return"

Present and past of a wealthy Southern family.

"The Last Of The Bachelors"

A marriage in the South. It's a description of social life rather than a story.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.