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Why They Run the Way They Do
Why They Run the Way They Do: Stories | Susan Perabo
3 posts | 4 read | 9 to read
Darkly beautiful stories about love and loss and every gradation between. Each one is suffused with astonishing wit and tenderness. Well worth the wait! Jenny Offill, New York Times bestselling author of Department of Speculations Reminiscent of George SaundersThese ingenious and lovable stories crack open the world. Kirkus Reviews (starred review) From the celebrated author of Who I Was Supposed to Be comes twelve beautiful short stories celebrating the everyday truths of people facing unusual or challenging situationsoften of their own making.In Why They Run the Way They Do, critically acclaimed author Susan Perabo illustrates the triumphs and tragedies of daily life. Perfectly distilled into moments of sharp humor and poignancy, her latest collection features ordinary people in sometimes extraordinary circumstances. Two young students try their hand at blackmail upon learning an illicit secret; a woman grapples with feelings of betrayal after discovering her spinster sisters pregnancy test; the ghost of a couples past comes back to haunt them in the form of their toddlers stuffed toy. Weaving the banal and bizarre together, Perabos clear, wry sentences meld a prose style that's reminiscent of Raymond Carvers with a sensibility that's informed by People (The New York Times). Here, this literary talent (The Boston Globe) captures the human condition through struggles that are quiet and grand; dark and provocative. Brilliantly crafted, Why They Run the Way They Do is ultimately an homage to the philosophy that life without humor is no life at all.
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Beck9lol
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After the first story this book wowed me! I got it at a discount store brand new and what a find! The author wrote a great collection of beautiful, heartwarming stories that seemed to speak to me even though I‘d never been in those situations. I felt like I got something out of each one. 😍

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Spiderfelt
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A librarian suggested I read this out of the blue, reinforcing my rule 'always listen to people who read broadly'. The stories captivated me, defied my expectations and left me ultimately both piqued and charmed. It's a perfect little collection.

LeahBergen Great pic! 😆 7y
saresmoore I love the picture and story collections! I will check this out. 7y
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RunningnReading
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I'm not sure I can do this one justice! To say that I was moved by these stories would be a monumental understatement. At 208 pages, you have no excuse NOT to read this one; please, go read it, and then return and tell me what you think.

estellasrevenge I was supposed to get this one from the publisher and it never came through. One day. One day. 8y
RunningnReading You've GOT to read it, Andi! I will just send you a copy!! HA! 8y
molly Hello, book lover! So happy you've joined. 😘 8y
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Mrs_Crispy Do any of the stories have to do with running? 8y
RunningnReading Not really; the title is taken from a passage in one of the stories, but the story has nothing to do with running! The stories are simple, yet have immense depth; can't say enough good things about this one! 8y
RunningnReading Thank you for introducing me, Molly...I think?? 😜 8y
Spiderfelt That's how I feel too. It's an excellent collection. The stories moved me, surprised and challenged my expectations. I'm going to buy copies to hand out to friends as thank you and get well and happy birthday 🎁. 7y
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