Where the God of Love Hangs Out

I can not wait to read other books by this author!

This is the first Amy Bloom book I have read. Her character development is wonderful. This is offbeat, I think, by anone's standards. However, the love she writes about, although unconventional, is deeply touching. You end up forgiving these people for the most unforgivable things! What a huge talent the woman has. She writes for people who don't want tidy characters with tidy endings. Love this book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Definite Read

This is her best collection ever. As far as I'm concerned, even better than Away (which was wonderful). It's easy to relate to the characters, and the stories are tales that could mirror your own experiences. Definitely a great read. If you don't have time now, make sure you get a copy for a trip or beach read because you won't want to put it down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Lacks the soul and luster of Bloom's previous short story collections

Amy Bloom is a gifted storyteller, a master of her craft, and a writer of what I call approachable and readable short stories. Her prose is refreshing because it's not as experimental or edgy as many other contemporary short story writers. Her previous collection Come to Me ranks as one of the best I've ever read. Her writing is lush, evocative and melodic, like a novel that has been condensed, with enticing and unforgettable characters. Her stories are soulful, brim with color and affection, toasty, like sitting fireside with a close friend who breaks all the rules, affairs, unorthodox family and sexual relationships, behavior on the fringe, but who is still very human. Bloom's latest collection, Where the God of Love Hangs Out, is well written, tight, her craft is evident, but the stories lack the magic, luster and brilliance of her previous collections. They're not as raw or revelatory, the voice is not as immediate; the characters don't stay with you long after you've turned the page. The two best stories I found in the collection are Your Borders, Your Rivers, Your Tiny Villages about middle-aged friends who become lovers and then marry to dire consequences, and Sleepwalking about a mother who becomes intimate with her stepson, and the familial dynamic that ensues. The first four stories are linked stories about the previously mentioned couple William and Clare, and Sleepwalking is accompanied by three other linked stories, following the mother Julia and her stepson Lionel throughout the years Bloom's new story collection was highly praised and reviewed by critics, but for me, a far cry from her signature style.

Excellent collection of short stories

I picked this book up just because I liked the title and I'm so glad I did. What a wonderfully written collection of stories. I love the characters because they are fully formed real people with flaws and perfections who experience humor and anger. There is a sense of sadness about the stories, but that in no way takes away from my experience. I've re-read some of the stories and I like them more the second time around. I will definitely read more by this author. I highly recommend this book if you like character-driven stories, stories that explore lives and relationships, and excellent, wonderfully expressive writing. Beautiful book.

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