Blue in Chicago: And Other Stories

Blue in Chicago is a collection of short stories by Bette Howland, a notable writer of her generation. Howland's prose is praised for its coolness and sharpness, comparing it to the likes of Nora Ephron and Lorrie Moore. The book showcases her talent for creating vivid sentences and capturing the essence of ordinary lives. Howland's stories, set in Chicago, explore the lives of working-class individuals, divorcees, and single mothers. They are filled with sly humor, melancholy, and tender insight. The collection is praised for its profound writing, rhythmic style, and empathetic portrayal of characters. Howland's voice is considered a gift to readers, and her stories have received widespread acclaim.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

One of the most significant writers of her generation, Saul Bellow, praised Bette Howland's prose as being "cooler than a cocktail and sharper than a Japanese knife." Her writing is said to be a blend of Nora Ephron's wit and Lorrie Moore's emotional depth, which is considered to be the pinnacle of literary excellence. Rachel Cooke, a critic for the Observer, expressed her delight at Howland's return to the literary scene, stating that she possesses a remarkable ability to transform any sentence into a jewel. John Self, a reviewer for The Times, praised Howland's "pinpoint vision," which he believed could elevate any sentence to a work of art.

Blue in Chicago, a collection of short stories by Bette Howland, brings together the bittersweet tales of this remarkable American writer. Hailed as a major talent before her disappearance from public view, this tenderly compiled collection restores her vital voice to our shelves.

Bette Howland was an outsider, coming from a working-class neighborhood in Chicago, as a divorcee and single mother, which was met with disapproval from her Jewish family. Despite facing poverty and self-doubt, her stories emanate a passionate commitment to the lives of ordinary people and the humble grace of everyday life.

From the bustling city streets to the quiet hospital rooms to the familiar public library, Howland's sly humor, aching melancholy, and tender insight shine through on every page. Her writing captures the essence of human experiences, making her a rediscovered literary gem.

Blue in Chicago features an afterword by Honor Moore and was published in the United States under the title Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage. The book has received widespread acclaim for its beautifully bittersweet tone, combining humor, poetry, and perceptiveness. Daily Mail praised Howland's captivating writing, describing it as rhythmic, alert, and empathetic. Telegraph reviewer described it as profound, stating that reading Bette Howland is like receiving a gift that you didn't know you needed. Irenosen Okojie, the author of Nudibranch, praised Howland's writing as profound, stating that it offers readers a gift that they didn't realize they were seeking.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529035858