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Night Moves: And other stories
“This collection sizzles.”
--Joe Oestreich, author of Hitless Wonder
“I dare you to stop after reading one story.”
--Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son
NIGHT MOVES collects sixteen of Jared Dillian’s most compelling short stories, in a gut punch of a book that introduces a powerful new voice in American short fiction.Dillian is a bestselling nonfiction writer and financial expert by day, and his stories dive headlong into frequently complex and dark subject sex, death, life, success, anxiety, the subconscious desire for self-sabotage, relationships, substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, wealth, and God. But mostly sex and death, because often we have to choose between the two at some crucial moment in our lives.
In one story, a professor with a drinking problem wins half a billion dollars on the Powerball--but has to fight old habits to claim his winnings in time. In another, a girl with an awkward smile and shiftless parents finds herself on track to secure a powerful job--until a strange new nighttime hobby imperils her future. And in another, a fifteen-year-old truant is sent to a mysterious religious sect in the high desert of Northern California--only to discover an awful truth that will set her running again. Dillian navigates through geographies and time periods with ease, creating distinctive personalities with one common they all are fighting for their lives.
Filled with memorable characters, unforgettable twists, and dramatic insights into human nature, this is a page-turning, thought-provoking collection for any lover of the art of story.
--Joe Oestreich, author of Hitless Wonder
“I dare you to stop after reading one story.”
--Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son
NIGHT MOVES collects sixteen of Jared Dillian’s most compelling short stories, in a gut punch of a book that introduces a powerful new voice in American short fiction.Dillian is a bestselling nonfiction writer and financial expert by day, and his stories dive headlong into frequently complex and dark subject sex, death, life, success, anxiety, the subconscious desire for self-sabotage, relationships, substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, wealth, and God. But mostly sex and death, because often we have to choose between the two at some crucial moment in our lives.
In one story, a professor with a drinking problem wins half a billion dollars on the Powerball--but has to fight old habits to claim his winnings in time. In another, a girl with an awkward smile and shiftless parents finds herself on track to secure a powerful job--until a strange new nighttime hobby imperils her future. And in another, a fifteen-year-old truant is sent to a mysterious religious sect in the high desert of Northern California--only to discover an awful truth that will set her running again. Dillian navigates through geographies and time periods with ease, creating distinctive personalities with one common they all are fighting for their lives.
Filled with memorable characters, unforgettable twists, and dramatic insights into human nature, this is a page-turning, thought-provoking collection for any lover of the art of story.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2024
32 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 11, 2024
You know the feeling: It’s Friday afternoon. You had a long day, an even longer week. So you reach into the fridge, grab a beer, and head outside for some much-needed sun. As you crack open the can, listen to the snap-hiss, and take a sip, you think “ah that’s refreshing.”
This is exactly how I felt reading Night Moves.
As Jared says in the introduction, it’s quite hard these days to find a short story that isn’t “completely devoid of plot, meandering aimlessly in the authors’ consciousness.” And he’s right, based on my own experience with the Best American Short Stories series, where half the stories are unreadable. But every one of the 16 slice-of-life vignettes in Night Moves are punchy, gripping, and hilarious. Just plain fun. The way fiction should be.
Whether it was 200 Hours (about a young man with an unusual rule for sex) or Beyond Love (about a very unfortunate ex-wife), I found myself speed-reading each word to get to the next page. Jared is master at both character development and – the holy grail of fiction writing – keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
So if you’re tired of the same old stories that have become commonplace in the 21st century – if you’re looking for a page-turner – pick up a copy of Night Moves, the second-most refreshing thing on a Friday evening.
This is exactly how I felt reading Night Moves.
As Jared says in the introduction, it’s quite hard these days to find a short story that isn’t “completely devoid of plot, meandering aimlessly in the authors’ consciousness.” And he’s right, based on my own experience with the Best American Short Stories series, where half the stories are unreadable. But every one of the 16 slice-of-life vignettes in Night Moves are punchy, gripping, and hilarious. Just plain fun. The way fiction should be.
Whether it was 200 Hours (about a young man with an unusual rule for sex) or Beyond Love (about a very unfortunate ex-wife), I found myself speed-reading each word to get to the next page. Jared is master at both character development and – the holy grail of fiction writing – keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
So if you’re tired of the same old stories that have become commonplace in the 21st century – if you’re looking for a page-turner – pick up a copy of Night Moves, the second-most refreshing thing on a Friday evening.
November 12, 2024
absolutely fascinating reading
Jared is a great writer with a wicked and slightly dark imagination.
Starting off with a lottery winner and moving through many characters each one leaving you wanting more.
You’ll finish each story arc in your own mind….
Jared is a great writer with a wicked and slightly dark imagination.
Starting off with a lottery winner and moving through many characters each one leaving you wanting more.
You’ll finish each story arc in your own mind….
October 14, 2024
The nuance with which Jared writes his stories is simply unrivaled. He develops characters using the tiniest details. Things that we all notice in our day to day lives — the unwritten rules of the subway, the characteristics of some particular nightclub in a particular city, the stereotypes that always define some person of some professional background — yet he has it all stored in his head and can incorporate it into his stories perfectly. Reading all of Jared’s books makes you a wiser, more emotionally aware, more reflective person and Night Moves is simply his best demonstration of the impact his writing has. Some stories will make you laugh, some will genuinely make you cry (I did) and most will make you stop for a second, reflect on what you just read, and think about something that resonates with you so deeply, you sit there wondering how he was able to put that jumbled thought of yours into such eloquent words. Jared is a legend.
November 25, 2024
I really enjoyed these stories, recommended by my 37 year old son who is a huge fan of Dillian's financial blog.
In some stories, I felt my age, but really loved the glimpse into the financial world stories. Not many writers come from this type of background.
Many of his character's were described as looking like famous people who I'd never heard of, which made me think of the novel I'm writing set in the 70s. I will need to be aware that younger readers will not instantly recognize my references.
Dillian writes well as a male writing as a female, a difficult skill to master.
It took me some time to read, because I reread many of the stories to catch the hints he'd set up in the beginning.
I'll line up to buy his next book.
In some stories, I felt my age, but really loved the glimpse into the financial world stories. Not many writers come from this type of background.
Many of his character's were described as looking like famous people who I'd never heard of, which made me think of the novel I'm writing set in the 70s. I will need to be aware that younger readers will not instantly recognize my references.
Dillian writes well as a male writing as a female, a difficult skill to master.
It took me some time to read, because I reread many of the stories to catch the hints he'd set up in the beginning.
I'll line up to buy his next book.
April 3, 2025
Night Moves is a collection of literary fiction in 16 short stories, authored by finance bro, Jared Dillian.
I am a financial services professional myself, so parts of some of the stories had special interest to me. Other parts of different stories was not so interesting to me.
The most surprising part of this collection was how much less I liked the opening few stories as compared to the final dozen. I'm unsure if the idea was to lead with the weakest stories, then they each get better as you go along, or if I just got more and more into the style as I continued reading.
Overall, the stories kept my attention, but there was lots of eye-rolling by me during the first few stories.
I am a financial services professional myself, so parts of some of the stories had special interest to me. Other parts of different stories was not so interesting to me.
The most surprising part of this collection was how much less I liked the opening few stories as compared to the final dozen. I'm unsure if the idea was to lead with the weakest stories, then they each get better as you go along, or if I just got more and more into the style as I continued reading.
Overall, the stories kept my attention, but there was lots of eye-rolling by me during the first few stories.
December 8, 2024
This book is a collection of short stories by Jared Dillian. It's good. Each story is stand alone. I don't usually read short stories much less collections of short stories so I don't have a lot to compare to. Some one recommended I read the book. It's adult material. Each story left me wanting to learn more in the next chapter of a book. Maybe that's an indicator of a good short story. idk. Start something new. Get out of your genre rut. Buy it. Read it.
November 4, 2024
This is my first JD book since becoming a TDD subscriber earlier this year.
Absolutely love the short stories. They certainly stick with you, and keep you hoping that some make it to the movies!
Jared brings a fresh, and much needed, voice into the short story space.
Buy it and read it!!!!
Absolutely love the short stories. They certainly stick with you, and keep you hoping that some make it to the movies!
Jared brings a fresh, and much needed, voice into the short story space.
Buy it and read it!!!!
December 17, 2024
Entertaining and Fun
Great read! I’m a huge fan of Jared’s writing style. He does a fantastic job of capturing your imagination and you feel catapulted into the life of ordinary but somehow fascinating characters. The stories are very relatable and they stick with you. - Full disclosure, this review is from a fellow finance bro :-)
Great read! I’m a huge fan of Jared’s writing style. He does a fantastic job of capturing your imagination and you feel catapulted into the life of ordinary but somehow fascinating characters. The stories are very relatable and they stick with you. - Full disclosure, this review is from a fellow finance bro :-)
January 23, 2025
The stories carry a distinct Lynchian vibe;surreal, atmospheric, and layered with a masculine energy that feels authentic & thoughtful rather than overbearing. Nuanced, memorable characters is the standout feature of the collection. Highlights were the woman in the northern california desert who finds herself in a cult and the fuckup teacher who hits the lotto.
October 13, 2024
What a great book. Jared is quite the story teller. Every story is flat out entertaining. This is some of Dillian’s best work. You will find yourself cringing, laughing and in awe. Every story. Good luck putting the book down.
November 3, 2024
Stunning use of short story medium
I was very intrigued by several aspects of Jared Dillian’s well crafted storytelling. First, the authenticity of the contexts of the stories. Second, the character portrayal in so abbreviated a medium. Third, how shocking many of the vendors are.
I was very intrigued by several aspects of Jared Dillian’s well crafted storytelling. First, the authenticity of the contexts of the stories. Second, the character portrayal in so abbreviated a medium. Third, how shocking many of the vendors are.
January 3, 2025
Man, that was great. Addictive, propulsive, haunting, and at times devastatingly sad stories. I love his writing. I'm a fan of all his work, but I hope he keeps writing fiction; I'd rush to buy another story collection from him.
February 13, 2025
Absolute misogynistic dreck. Did not finish after reading the first five or so stories.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews