The Purchase of Order: Stories

by Gail Galloway Adams

In the cadence of a Texas drawl or the whisper of a midday kiss, these stories by Gail Galloway Adams capture untidy lives in which the pain of living is confounded with a grin. From the yoga instructor with her Earthshoes and mantras to the Texas aunt who wills herself insane, the characters in Adams's stories boldly face the sorrows and strains of everyday life, seeking relief in humor and redemption in words. The Purchase of Order depicts characters from Germany to Georgia, men and women attempting to find meaning within memory, who take joy in giving of themselves.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[MJ Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

One-hit wonder, winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award For Short Fiction in 1988, and has puffed into smoke. The twelve stories in this collection are southern slices with as much southern sass and style as one needs from a FOC winner, desperately realist but peopled with colorful and acutely observed characters. ‘Marva Jean Howard Confesses’ is a richly comedic story about a bovine murderer, reminiscent of the brassy female oddballs in Nicola Barker’s books. In ‘A Small Hotel’ the management decides to stage a high-diving contest in a far-too-shallow pool, and ‘Bow-Wow and Goodbye’ is a dark piece about a woman choosing mental illness and to commit herself to an asylum. Another favourite, ‘Houdini’s Wife,’ demonstrates Adams’s skill for strong female narrators and for compassionate and witty writing about the raggedy fringes of life, the Jerry Springer guests waiting in the wings. Not my usual teacup, but a pleasant veer.

[Brandy cassell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written my my all time most favorite teacher in the world. I had Gail in college for every semester I was allowed to have her. She always encouraged me and to be able to read her years later when I'm sure she's forgotten all about me is amazing.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories that do not fail to intrigue - and "The Purchase of Order" is itself a Flannery O'Connor award winner. But it's not my favorite. I believe I like "Bow Wow and Good-bye" the best.

[Gila Gila · Rating 3 out of 5]

a couple of beauties
leave one baffled at the rest of the collection.