Frozen in Time: Twenty Stories

by Joseph Epstein

The estimable Joseph Epstein—essayist, past editor of The American Scholar, and recipient of the 2003 National Humanities Medal along with Hal Holbrook and John Updike—brings together twenty short stories in his first such collection since 2010. Most, though not all, of the stories are set in Epstein’s hometown of Chicago, but otherwise they have a variety of among the titles are "Dad's Gay," "The Casanova of LaSalle Street," "JDate," "Adultery," "Widow's Pique," "Race Relations," "The Man on Whom Everything Was Lost," "My Five Husbands," and "Second Family." Most are stories about family and friendships.

Genres: Short Stories

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

Joseph Epstein is the author of, among other books, Snobbery, Friendship, and Fabulous Small Jews. He has been editor of American Scholar and has written for the New Yorker, the Atlantic, Commentary, Town and Country, and other magazines.

Reviews

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like The Love Song of A. Jerome Minkoff, this one gets my 5 stars. But as indicated in my old Shelfari review, the latter came with a heart. Which isn't to say this one doesn't have heart. JE's stories always seem to start off with the most nondescript cast of characters. At first blush, that is. Then he ropes you in with what to me are now familiar scenes at Chicago delis, apartment buildings, large American cars. By the second page you're hooked again. His stories revolve around family and friends, and shifts in the mechanics of friendships and relationships when jarred with ageing, death. And betrayal, perceived or otherwise. Or simply, with the betrayal of honesty (Dad's Gay). Most protagonists are educated, decent men. One of the few exceptions is My Five Husbands, with a female, redneck-type narrator. A coincidence how I was reading about compulsive gamblers (was it The Man on Whom All Was Lost?) during a stay at Seda Hotels with my best friend Sheila, high roller extraordinaire whom I couldn't keep away from a casino all-nighter on our very last evening.

Thanks to stories like these, I shall never be bored lining up at supermarkets and airports. I'll be gazing at people, zero in on a JE type of character, and concoct a JE-like story around him!

[Howard Jaeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being familiar with Joseph Epstein’s delightful writing from his pieces in Commentary and the Weekly Standard, I picked up Frozen in Time to give myself a break from an important, but extremely tedious, historical work I’m reading. I owe thanks to Mr. Epstein for reacquainting me with the very great pleasures of reading for pleasure.

The twenty short stories in this collection are all immediately engrossing, highly entertaining and, in a few instances, genuinely touching. Having finished Frozen in Time in a few sittings, I’m now confronted with the dilemma of getting back to my history book or ordering another collection of Mr. Epstein’s stories. What I should do, and what I want to do, are equally clear.

[Sharon Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal collection of short stories ranging from lower to upper class. Each short story takes you to a different life with Chicago/the Midwest as a common theme - yet such variety in perspectives.

Not a book I recommend reading in one sitting, I enjoyed taking a break between each short story to really think about the character and their background before plunging into the next story.

[Jill Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I

[Larry Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of 20 short stories, the majority of which are situated in the Chicago area. The stories are fictional, but the locales are real and add a sense of authenticity. Most of the characters are Jewish and a number of them middle age.

The stories are varied and each one is memorable. If there’s a theme throughout most of them, it would be a self-evaluation of what one has accomplished in life.

Hard to pick favorites but there is the story of the man married to a woman who is obsessed with her deceased brother. The story of the real estate developer son who has not spoken to his father (a late night critic radio interviewer). The age 50ish woman who has lived her life conservatively and goes on J-date to find a potential spouse.

[Mark Mallah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a five star book, every story captivating, every one a pleasure. There is charm, profundity, sadness, and humor throughout these stories, each one a world unto itself. I don't know how he conjures all of these, though I read his recent autobiography and in some of these stories, his real life seems to be a jumping off point. With hardly any runway, you definitely feel like you know these characters in a way that you don't know characters who are described over 4oo pages of a novel. After reading this, I'm on to my next Epstein book.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this amazing collection. It’s mainly about interesting, complex Jewish American lives set in Chicago. Several are cautionary tales. A few, including Dad’s Gay and Jdate are very touching. I’ve already ordered his other fiction. I had previously enjoyed his entertaining and erudite essays in the American Scholar when he was its editor. So glad I discovered his stories.

[Stuart Shiffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read many of Joseph Epstein's stories years ago and then wandered away from his writing. He was back in the news recently and I decided to get back to his writing. I realize I had missed quite a bit. Epstein's Chicago short stories strike a chord because most of his characters and locations are places I know very well. I hope he keeps writing.

[Cuauhtémoc Kish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the short stories are about senior Jewish individuals that live in Chicago,
but they are universal in theme. It's as if the author, Joseph Epstein, was sitting with you
in a Jewish Deli, making casual conversation, but then hooks you into a story where you
forget all about the Pastromi sandwich you ordered.

[Tom Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! Poignant stories - each engaging and fun. I loved this.

Joseph Epstein' recent WSJ review of H. L. Mencken's American Language prompted me to explore for more. I loved Epstein's work.

[B E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed every story.

An easy book to read. Every day I looked forward to reading another one or two stories and was sad when I finished reading the last one.

[University of Chicago Magazine]

Joseph Epstein, AB’59
Author

From our pages (Summer/16): Many of the works in writer, critic, and National Humanities Medal winner Joseph Epstein’s new story collection are set in his hometown of Chicago. From the struggles of a son who receives an early inheritance in “Remittance Man” to the follies of older men who pursue younger women in “The Viagra Triangle,” the tales chronicle love, aging, and the intricacies of urban life.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

salami omelte/on the attack/MS/small time businessmen of varying success without culture or connection with their kids/two enormous krepach/early death of promising, lascivious senescence

ms

small time business men without culture

two enormous kreplach

early death and lacouios senesence

On Wed, Oct 19, 2016 at 3:43 PM, Sherman, James wrote:
on the attack

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Urban life stories set in Chicago that include many instances of drug addicts, gambling addicts, alcohol addicts. Captures the lack of understanding we have about each other and about life in general. Page turning stories.