‘Show Don’t Tell’ – the adage uttered by writers, editors and directors, ad infinitum.
‘Show Don’t Tell’ is also the fitting title for the latest collection of short stories by Curtis Sittenfeld. It features characters who are intrigued by narrative and their own place in life. Existential crises bind the book, and fretful questions – how do we feature in our own lives? Do we take responsibility for our own behaviour? – are confronted, and dodged, throughout.
In ‘The Marriage Clock’, Heather, a producer, flies from LA to Alabama to meet with Brock Lewis, the author of the self-help book that lends its name to the title of the story. Her production company wish to option the book that focuses on a doctrine that delves out advice on how to have a happy marriage. This book has been widely mocked (‘Once a day, put into words something you appreciate about your spouse’) yet its filmic potential has been spotted. So, Heather must try and persuade Brock to allow the production company a little narrative freedom for the adaptation of the book. Along the way, Heather senses some chemistry between Brock and herself and wonders if both will remain faithful to their other halves.
A similar idea is toyed with in ‘A for Alone’. Irene, an artist, invites several male friends and acquaintances for lunch, one at a time, and afterwards, she gives them a questionnaire to complete which focuses on male and female friendships, and the funny tension that can arise.
Human behaviour and its ramifications is examined with verve and humour in the story ‘White Women LOL’. Jill attends her friend’s big 40th birthday party at a trendy restaurant in the Midwest. A private room is hired for the celebration and the party is a great success. That is, until Jill spots a table occupied by people who have not, she is sure, been invited to the party, which is winding down following an exceptional birthday cake. Jill approaches the table of five: ‘They were Black, and they were stylish: two women and three men’ and she tells them the room has been hired for her friend and that they can take their drinks to the main room. Their reactions, and this conversation, has been filmed and, inevitably, goes viral. Opinions clash and the video soon becomes an emblem of the complexities of interaction in the twenty-first century.
Sittenfeld’s collection is a masterpiece that celebrates (and frequently pokes fun at) life. This is a book not to be missed.
‘Show Don’t Tell’ by Curtis Sittenfeld was published by Doubleday in February. My copy was kindly sent to me, on my request, by the publisher to review.
