I Still Don't Even Know You

by Michelle Berry

You could be married for over 10 years and still not know your spouse. You could think you knew everything about your dad but still he surprises you at your mother's death bed. You think you know everyone in your small town but you'll never know the dark secret your drinking buddy hides in his heart.With control, wit, and brilliance, Michelle Berry explores the hidden depths between individuals, families, and communities. Dysfunctional characters create tension in situations where they teeter on the edge of life. Psychological or situational twists pop readers' eyes wide open and force them to pay attention. Berry uses rapid-fire dialogue to build tension and emotion. Despite the underlying dark tones, the stories carry life and hope, human kindness--and strangeness.Each story is a vivid snapshot of a raw moment in the lives of people at a crossroads. A married couple in the title story, "I Still Don't Even Know You," question the foundation of their relationship during a winter getaway. In "The Cat," a life of endless purgatory stretches before a newly-wed husband. The wives in "Five Old Crows," contemplate ways to pass the time ranging from murder to writing. And the title character in "Martin" drives around a boring country town with a shotgun in his car, his dissatisfaction with his empty life mounting as townspeople talk about recent mysterious murders.

Genres: Short Stories

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2010

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

These stories were well written and had interesting elements, but I found that I couldn't bring myself to finish through to the end. I think that my dislike is for short stories in general, as opposed to this particular author.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always say that I 'hate' short stories. And then I read a collection, like this one, and realize that I only hate BAD short stories.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked a lot of these stories, but they didn't stick out as particularly memorable to me. I'm on a short story kick, so expect lots of them in the coming weeks.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing collection of short stories. Smart, intuitive and darkly humourous, Berry's characters are very real.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't make it through the whole book. I wouldn't say the stories I read were necessarily bad, but they didn't capture my imagination at all.

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Michelle Berry's story. This selection was not my favorite, but still very enjoyable.