Don't Cry

Don't Cry by Mary Gaitskill is a collection of short stories that explore complex emotions and characters, including a nurse's obsession with a patient's virginity, a murderer's prime-time interview, and a grieving widow's journey to adopt an orphan. The stories remind us that no experiences should be taken lightly, and that they can offer physical, emotional, and spiritual revelations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2021
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

A writer of prodigious gifts, Mary Gaitskill's Don't Cry is a testament to her unparalleled ability to excavate character. The collection is filled with jagged, complex emotions and powerful, incisive writing that showcases Gaitskill's exceptional talent.

An Old Virgin, one of the stories, delves into the obsession of a nurse with her forty-three-year-old patient's virginity. Folk Song, another tale, takes a closer look at the lives of people behind newspaper headlines, including a murderer who grants a prime-time interview and a woman who attempts to break a world record by having sex with one thousand men. In the title story, Don't Cry, a grieving widow reflects on her marriage while accompanying a friend on a journey to adopt an Ethiopian orphan during a violent election season. Additionally, the urban fable Mirrorball features a musician who accidentally steals a girl's soul during a one-night stand.

The provocative and searching stories of Don't Cry remind us that no experiences should be taken lightly, but rather explored for their physical, emotional, and even spiritual revelations. Gaitskill's writing is a masterclass in storytelling, as she effortlessly weaves together complex narratives and explores the depths of human emotion. Don't Cry is a must-read for anyone who appreciates fine literature and is eager to explore the darker corners of the human psyche.

Weight: 194g
Dimension: 129 x 199 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788168687
Edition number: Main