Drunk With Love: A Book of Stories

by Ellen Gilchrist

Presents thirteen short stories peopled by such characters as Rhoda, a precocious nine-year-old; Nora Jane, an expectant mother of twins; and Crystal, an outrageous Southern belle

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Southern, Literary Fiction, American, Contemporary, Literature

239 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

A writer of poems, short stories, novels, and nonfiction commentaries, Ellen Gilchrist is a diverse writer whom critics have praised repeatedly for her subtle perceptions, unique characters, and sure command of the writer’s voice, as well as her innovative plotlines set in her native Mississippi.

As Sabine Durrant commented in the London Times, her writing “swings between the familiar and the shocking, the everyday and the traumatic.... She writes about ordinary happenings in out of the way places, of meetings between recognizable characters from her other fiction and strangers, above all of domestic routine disrupted by violence.” The world of her fiction is awry; the surprise ending, although characteristic of her works, can still shock the reader. “It is disorienting stuff,” noted Durrant, “but controlled always by Gilchrist’s wry tone and gentle insight.”

She earned her B.A. from Millsaps College in 1967, and later did postgraduate study at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

She has worked as an author and journalist, as a contributing editor for the Vieux Carre Courier from 1976-1979, and as a commentator on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition from 1984-1985. Her NPR commentaries have been published in her book Falling Through Space.

She won a National Book Award for her 1984 collection of short stories, Victory Over Japan.

Reviews

[Ziggy Lorenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite author. To read her books is like eating an entire box of chocolates in one sitting, only to realize you wish you took your time to savour each one slowly.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older (1986) book by an author I hadn’t read before, and a pleasant surprise. The cover art and publication date had me expecting a predictable and tepid book of stories in the ladies’ romance genre. The writing turned out to be sharp, nuanced, and at times haunting. It reminded me of Flannery O’Connor – fifty years down the road -- in its dark, funny, and wise passages. The story format is a bit disconcerting, as some of the stories seem to have the same characters, and some have no connection. That doesn’t bother me much, but did leave me wondering how much of the author’s own life was in the stories.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only because this is where we meet Tracyleen and Miss Crystal!

[George Ilsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these stories are linked, and the volume is arranged into four sections. Gilchrist has a strong voice and a smooth confident style, without wasting any effort being showy.

Sometimes a book of stories is the perfect thing to read.

The last story, about a writer, gives us this compelling sentence: "I will create characters and they will tell me my secrets."

[Leota · Rating 3 out of 5]

these stories have stuck with me for years...maybe it's becasue most of them feel unfinished to me. (it's possible gilcrest felt the same...she has at least two other collections where these same characters come back). but i still enjoy them. her language is both beautiful and matter-of-fact, and her characters unforgettable.

[Della Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11570185

[Sarah Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of stories, and yes, I am still reading them. Gilchrist portrays middle-eastern men exceedingly negatively. One story, OK, in another collection in which a man is a terrorist who murders a woman--somewhat jangles because one remember the stereotypes after 9/11, and the man's character is as cardboard as this. But TWO? This concerns a Lebanese student who marries a woman to get the visa and then beats her to death, commencing by slapping her across the face for not making good coffee. Also I think she has a story about a black man beating a white spouse to death, but I didn't quite get into it. It isn't that she isn't a good writer, but it isn't being politically correct to explore one's biases.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but not as much as her first one. I was left with a sense in a few stories that some of the perspectives on race did not age well and that maybe such a sensitive and skilled writer would have added a bit more nuance if she had written this collection today. For example, the violent conniving Arabic guy came across as flat, like a trope. I know, I know it was written 30 years ago but it still bugged me enough to dock a couple stars. Many of the stories are simply breathtaking which is why I will keep this book rather than tossing it in the free library. Gilchrist is the best of the best in my book, even if this collection is a little uneven.

[Arnie Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember hearing her read from her journals years ago on NPR and I enjoyed listening to them. This book of stories was published 35 years ago and has sat on my shelves for at least 20 years. I can only say "wow." I'm glad I read it. Her characters are vivid and unforgettable, and I think my favorite was the last, "Anna, Part 1" (there are no other parts, at least not in this volume). Anna has here rules, she knows what she wants, and she sometimes breaks her rules. It is also the rare story in this volume where no alcohol is consumed. I wonder why so many of her characters. both female and male, have red hair.

[Peter Azzopardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly original stories, if an uneven collection. Of the four distinct sections in the book I like “Bad Times In A Good Land” best, which moved from two shocking violent stories of interracial love to the hilarious “First Manhattan” (fantastic) and “The Last Diet”. The latter story is as tragic as it is comedic, and it was following this I was convinced of how great a writer Gilchrist clearly is. Looking forward to reading more.

The books ends with the seemingly personal “Anna, Part 1”, which reads as the writer’s manifesto.

[Dessylyly · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘Delightfully excessive’ as reviewed by Vogue. That sold me. Drunk with Love, thought it was perfect for a Valentine’s read. It wasn’t. Overall forgettable. Not much to distinguish the characters from each other- the writing voice was too prominent. Enjoyed the wry humour and the occasional problematic takes. The few things that stuck out to me: the concept of critiquing churches for a living (from the homilies and down to the quality of the pews) and the diary entries of that woman with severe anorexia. That was some lovely stuff right there.

[Brian]

I adore Ellen Gilchrist's short fiction, and this selection certainly didn't disappoint. Gilchrist always transports me to worlds that are familiar in the concrete details, if antiquated and mythological in scope. Her characters are always quirky and vibrant, flawed and and flawlessly rendered. It is always a pleasure to tumble headlong into one a Gilchrist story, swept up in the wave of a beautifully-crafted opening sentence.

[Andrew Frakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big fan of short fiction, especially the sort of strange floaty realism that was so popular in the '80s (think Dan Gerber, Richard Ford, Raymond Carver, et al), this book of stories was so wonderful to read. Wonderful and terrifying and illuminating and rich. If you have any love for short fiction, find a copy of this and read it!

[Kathy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

More delightful short stories. Memorable characters, punchy writing. Humor, satire, and seriousness in good doses. "First Manhattans" may be my new favorite short story of hers.

[Ashley Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent writing but often depressing and dark stories.

[samuel-levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories! What a surprise to find this author. I loved all the characters and wanted to book to continue forever.

[Marie Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories -- some good, some just okay.

[ANTHONY MANSON · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven’t read short stories in a while. Some were better than others. But nice change. Good writer .

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciated this, her first book of collected stories, in part because she has taken these characters so much further in subsequent books. Love the New Orleans connection since we were visiting New Orleans when she talked about beignets at Cafe Monde and a deparge cake among other things drunk with love.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some startling stories, like "The Emancipator" and "The Last Diet", some funny ones like "Traceleen, At Dawn" and many others, almost all enjoyable, readable, with those subtle quirks of narrative voice that leave one wondering, "wow, what made her think of that truth?"

[Dutch Rhudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. I must have liked it better the first time I read it.
Compared to later novels, the characters were a bit shallow, in retrospect.
My tastes may have changed, which is why I only give it three stars this time.

[Chas Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like her Nora Jane stories, but the others don't seem to be as well written.

[Janocita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of several books I've read over the years that really stuck with me.
I love her voice and miss hearing her journal entries that she used to read on NPR.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was also a gift from Allen. Thanks friend.

[Woodie D]

this book is funny

[Lisa]

Drunk with Love by Ellen Gilchrist (1987)

[Susan Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who love stories, Gilchrist is a champion! For those who don't know Gilchrist yet, you have a treat ahead.

[Tracyrayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, insightful and piercing comment and view of human life. I loved it. Personally, I found every story unique and full of surprise. Ellen Gilchrist's writing is very moving.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Gilchrist is the best.