Friday Flashback: Rec. #122: Come Up and See Me Sometime

I decided to start doing Friday Flashbacks in case you missed some earlier posts the first time around. You're busy; I understand.

What: Erika Krouse's collection of stories reveals a fondness for Mae West, a preference for sharp wit, and a deep heart of cynicism. Each of the thirteen stories in Come Up and See Me Sometime begins with a quote from Mae West, and proceeds to slide through some complicated lives with remarkable ease.

Comparable to: Many reviewers compare Erika Krouse to Lorrie Moore.

Representative quote: "Shiny clothes help. Men are like crows --- they like to pick up bright things, take them back to their nests, and poke at them with their beaks."

You might not like it if: You need more sugar for the bitterness to go down. Krouse offers a fair amount of spice, but very little sweetness.

How to get it: Used bookseller or library.

[Originally posted 5/9/11.]