Ordinary Life Stories

Inthissuperbcollectionofshortstories，ElizabethBergtakesusintoremarkablemomentsinthelivesofwomen，whenmemoriesandeventscometogethertocreateasenseofcoherence，understanding，andchange.In“OrdinaryLife，”MavisMcPhersonlocksherselfinthebathroomforaweek，shuttingoutherhusbandandtherealitiesoftheirlifetogether—and，no，sheisn’tcontemplatingadivorce.Shejustneedssometimetothink，totakestockofherlife，andtoarrive，finally，atasurprisingconclusion.In“WhiteDwarf”and“Martin’sLettertoNan，”thesecretsofamarriagearerevealedwiththesensitivityand“brilliantinsightsaboutthehumancondition”(DetroitFreePress)thathavebecomeatrademarkofBerg’swriting.TheCharlotteObserverhassaid，“Bergcapturesthewaywomenthinkaswellasanywriter.”ThosequalitiesofwisdomandinsightareeverywherepresentinOrdinaryLife.