Extra Credit

I remember reading this book of short stories once. It was for some creative writing class. The book was called Self Help and contained short stories by Lorrie Moore. This book certainly classifies as contemporary. In it are insightful and sometimes comical stories that deal with a variety of issues such as: “A Kid’s Guide to Divorce,” “How to Talk to Your Mother,” and “How to be an Other Woman” (which deals strictly with how to be an adulteress). Lorrie Moore writes in second person, a very interesting tense to use. This sets it apart from any other stories I have ever read. It creates a jarring connection between you and the story. It forces you take on the role of the narrator.

One story begins, “Understand that your cat is a whore and can’t help you.” “How to Be an Other Woman,” starts, "Meet in expensive raincoats on a pea-soupy night. After four movies, three concerts, and two-and-a-half museums, you sleep with him… He tells you his wife's name. It is Patricia… Say: 'Hey. I am a very cool person. I am tough.' Show him your bicep."

This book was a nice diversion from the typical story. I enjoyed it because it was differently written, had a unique view point, and was most importantly SHORT. One could easily read a story in a matter of minutes, and it’s also something you can come back to weeks later, reread, and still enjoy it. I think everyone would enjoy it if only for its crazy subject matter.