I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere |
 |
 click here for more details, find new or used items |
Anna Gavalda
|
|
Pages: 208 (Paperback)
ISBN: 1573223557
Pub: Riverhead Books,U.S.
Pub date: 2003-12-01
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 68994
Editorial Review:
Reading Anna Gavalda's story collection, I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere, is a bit like choosing the mini-éclair over its full-size counterpart--while the smaller size makes each morsel that much more satisfying, you can't help but wish for just one more bite. Still, in many cases, Gavalda does a better job of capturing the essence of human emotion in each five-to-ten page story than many writers manage to do in epic novels.
Gavalda sets up every story such that each character's fate can be decided in a single moment. Whether the protagonist's pivotal moment is decided by fate or free will is what keeps these 12 stories fresh and unique. In "Lead Story," travelling salesman Jean-Pierre does not learn the true horrific consequences of an almost-missed exit on the highway until opening Le Figaro the next morning. The veterinarian in Catgut decides her fate in the instant after a brutal crime leaves her feeling physically and emotionally victimised. And when the mysterious stranger answers his cell phone on a first date in Courting Rituals of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés, our heroine decides she has heard enough to cut short what could have been a passionate love affair. ("I come to my senses all at once. Traitor. Ingrate.") It is in these crucial instants, where fate plays a hand, that Gavalda truly shows off her ability to convey love, longing, loneliness and satisfaction. And perhaps the clarity of these moments is worth more than any full-size French pastry. --Gisele Toueg, Amazon.com
Reader Reviews:
Is That So Much To Ask? (7/12 people found this helpful)
"I shifted somewhat abruptly. She stood back up behind me and put both hands flat on my shoulders. She said, "I'm going to go. I want you not to move and not to turn around. Please I am begging of you.
I didn't move I didn't want to anyway, because I didn't want her to see me with my eyes swollen and my face all contorted.
I waited a while, and then headed to my car."
Anna Gavalda has seen a lot in her life. This novel with twelve short stories of people trying to connect shows her capturing their inner dialogues with perfect pitch. Reaching out, knowing they are missing something and moving to the center to find exactly what it is. These stories, all small snippets of life. Coming-apart love, met-again love, aborted love, unknown love and of love lost all woven from separate stories into a theme.
The saddest is the "Pregnancy". The story of a new love and the nine months it takes to grow this new love, only to have an unknown enemy defeat it.
In "For Years' a man searches for his lost love. Not reality searching but in his mind. He knows where she lives but not why she left. Both of them have moved on but he knows not why. And, then one day twelve years later he hears from her.
In "Courting Rituals of the Saint-Germaine-des-Pres", an attractive woman smiles at a passing man, and he pursues her. He asks her out to dinner. They meet hours later, both with a purpose of their own. They are attracted to each other and she is thinking of what might happen after dinner, when all of a sudden his cell phone goes off. At that moment he shuts it off, but she sees him scrumptiously look a number of the caller. She knows that the evening is over, forever.
each of these satires is better then the other, each one tells a separate but seemingly similar tale. These are the stories of a friend who is telling you bits and pieces of life. These are lively stories told with flourish and style. There is variety that surprises you, Parisian chic or hilarious, sophisticated farce. Anna Gavalda sees through ordinary appearances to our hidden longings. Highly Recommended. prisrob 3-4-06
She talks about YOU, ME, everyone (5/6 people found this helpful)
I read this book in French and it is SO SO SO good that I wanted to share my opinion with you ! I really loved it, the author is really good, her writing is modern and very witty, her characters live everyday situations and think what we all thoight on day. I strongly recommend this book to you, buy it read it, enjoy it ! Read it slowly though, as it ends far to early ! When you read this book, you feel strange but really really great, between tears and joy. I can't describe it, but i loved it ! She says she wants the non-readers people read, and it you can feel that, Anna Gavalda is so generous !BUY IT !
Similar Products
Hunting and Gathering
Someone I Loved
35 Kilos of Hope
Bonjour Tristesse (Essential Penguin)
Ensemble, C'est Tout
Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> World -> French
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> Short Stories -> World -> French
Books -> Special Features -> Search Inside!
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)