What: Ellen Gilchrist's collection of stories was the winner of the 1984 U.S. National Book Award. The 14 stories are grouped into 4 sections: "Rhoda"; "Crazy, Crazy, Now Showing Everywhere"; "Nora Jane"; and "Crystal." Very different characters and situations, but recognizably the same universe.
Representative quote from the "Rhoda" section:
"Rhoda woke up dreaming. In the dream she was crushing the skulls of Jody's sheepdogs. Or else she was crushing the skulls of Jody's sisters. Or else she was crushing Jody's skull. Jody was the husband she was leaving."
Representative quote from the "Crazy, Crazy, Now Showing Everywhere" section:
"Lenny Weiss had been sweeping sand for an hour. Was that any way to treat asthma?"
Representative quote from the "Nora Jane" section:
"Freddy Harwood was the founder and owner of the biggest and least profitable bookstore in northern California."
Representative quote from the "Crystal" section:
"Now King's run off to a hippie commune because Mr. Alter shot himself and Miss Crystal's going crazy looking for him. It's the second time he's run off since the funeral."
Connections to previous Wreckage: Gilchrist also wrote The Cabal and Other Stories (Rec. #216), Light Can Be Both Wave and Particle (Rec. #159), and Nora Jane: A Life in Stories (Rec. #25).
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