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Books

Grove Press
Grove Press
Grove Press

Dumped

by B. Delores Max

“Consists of well-written, timeless stories about the pain of everyday life, and one doesn’t need to be brokenhearted to identify with them. . . . Aims to please those who aren’t expecting candy on Valentine’s Day.” –Whitney Matheson, USA Today

  • Imprint Grove Paperback
  • Page Count 352
  • Publication Date February 14, 2003
  • ISBN-13 978-0-8021-3961-0
  • Dimensions 5.5" x 8.25"
  • US List Price $14.00

About The Book

Heartbreak takes many forms, and the stories in Dumped attack them all: from the head-clearing uplifting dump and the merely annoying dump; to the crushing dump, which leaves you hollow and weepy, and the death knell, when the supposed soul mate takes off, burning rubber down the highway of life and the other person is roadkill.

“I looked out onto the waters of the lake, hoping to cast myself out to be chewed up and swallowed deep down, to be digested by burning fluids, fishy acids, until there was nothing left of me at all to feel the pain of being dumped by my only true love.” –Dallas Angguish, from The Camping Ground

“Be careful not to combine “four dry sakes’ with your “creeping feeling of insecurity and dread,” or you might find yourself saying, “Wipe that damn grin off your face!” . . . The hip East Village location can’t be beat, since her apartment is “within walking distance,” which makes it very convenient if you should choose to “lean on her buzzer for an hour” until she calls “the cops.”” –Noah Baumbach, from The Zagat History of My Last Relationship

“I go into the basement to start a load of wash. When I begin separating, I find a pair of David’s boxer shorts, the blue ones, and, God help me, I bury my face in them for the smell of him. I look up and see my sewing machine. I bring his shorts over to it. Then, using a hidden seam, I sew the fly shut.” –Elizabeth Berg, from Open House

Contributors:
Steve Almond
Dallas Angguish
Jane Austen
Noah Baumbach
Jo Ann Beard
Saul Bellow
Elizabeth Berg
Elizabeth Bowen
Raymond Carver
Roald Dahl
Andre Dubus
Richard Ford
Bruce Jay Friedman
Roger Hart
Lorrie Moore
Alice Munro
Haruki Murakami
Dan o’Brien
Dorothy Parker
Lucinda Rosenfeld
Will Self
William Trevor
Tobias Wolff

Praise

“Consists of well-written, timeless stories about the pain of everyday life, and one doesn’t need to be brokenhearted to identify with them. . . . Aims to please those who aren’t expecting candy on Valentine’s Day.” –Whitney Matheson, USA Today

“An anthology of literary masterpieces about roadkill on the highway of love.” –Mike Harden, The Columbus Dispatch

“Getting dumped is the psychic version of torture. If you feel the approach of Valentine’s Day is like a train and you’ve been tied to the tracks by your dastardly ex, Dumped might help salve your pain. Or at least give you a few ideas for exacting revenge.” –Jenifer Goodwin, The San Diego Union-Tribune

“These people know their way around unrequited love, romantic disasters and fierce revenge. Reading their stories may not heal your broken heart, but it may ease your pain a bit to realize you are not alone.” –The Hartford Courant

“Clever. . . . An anthology with absolutely perfect pitch. . . .

Max culled works from literature’s old guard, contemporary favorites and some promising new talent.” –Samantha Puckett, The St. Petersburg Times

“Here are stories of commiseration for people left behind. . . . They offer solace and truth, no matter how old your wounds are.” –Anne Stephenson, The Arizona Republic

‘smart. . . . Spans the heartbreak spectrum from hurting to hilarious. . . . Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start laughing.” –The Fort Worth Morning Star-Telegram

Dumped would make a perfect addition to your candles, chocolates, and Leonard Cohen misery package the next time you find yourself reeling from a relationship’s end. But an aching heart and pukey tummy aren’t required for this book’s enjoyment–It’s appealing because it’s universal. These stories are about more than heartbreak, pain, or loss–they’re about messy, glorious love.” –Laura Barcella, Bust

‘distinctive. . . . The universal theme allows readers from all walks of life to appreciate this collection.” –Rachel Collins, Library Journal