Let Me Be the One

by Elisabeth Harvor

Glowing, fresh, ironic, unforgettable, Elisabeth Harvor's stories introduce us to people who are trying to explore, often unwittingly, personal themes of existence and identity. Although the words "let me be the one" are never spoken by any of the characters, they are the words that are deeply felt. In particular moments of joy or upheaval, the silent voices speak to us with passion and wit, longing and desperation. 192.

Genres: Short Stories, Canada, Fiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1997

About the author

Erica Elisabeth Arendt Deichmann, known as Elisabeth Harvor, was a Canadian short story writer, poet, and novelist.

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reread of stories about women and their relationships with an ex and/or children. Most of these women characters want to be free of demands at the same time as feeling a loss of connection.

The writing brings clarity to the stuff we say to one another, but the stories themselves flit from one scene to another, not always chronologically. Sometimes I wasn't sure what to make of the sum of such scenes; yet I did enjoy the journey along the way.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nah.

[lori light · Rating 3 out of 5]

favorite quotes so far:

"Something that's emotional is usually a whole lot easier to make fun of than something that's just toned down and ordinary."

"But why? Why almost nothing had happened, or had had time to happen? The answer, to Marianne at least, was perfectly clear: because it took no time at all to have everything happen in the heart - ways they would touch each other, a whole life together..."

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvor is a terrific story writer, I prefer her to Alice Munro who gets far more attention and acclaim. She is particularly good at describing the inner life of women, often married or divorced, and is good at capturing family life as well.