What do You think about Because They Wanted To (1998)?
I was a little disappointed with this collection. I read this book from front to back, and was quickly struck by how closely each story resembled the last. Nearly every story is actually two stories: The narrative taking place in the beginning and the flashback narrative that the current events remind the protagonist of. Sometimes these transitions were clear, but a lot of the time I found myself backtracking and struggling to follow the narrative flow (am I in the past or present right now?). I understand that sometimes this structure can really work (and sometimes it really did) but, for many of the stories, it felt like she was relying too heavily on a formula. I just wanted her to try something new.I mean, her grasp on character and dialogue was really excellent. I loved all the strong female characters, and I thought she captured some insightful and unsettling truths about what it means to be human, in love and trying to find your place in the world... but in the end the repetitive structure was just too distracting for me. ...The collection was shocking, but not memorable. Although I spent a lot of time with my hand cupped over my mouth in disbelief, more often than not the raunchiness of the characters seemed too intentional on the part of the author. It felt like she was trying too hard to control the characters and the stories she'd placed them in. I just wanted her to let it go, and I knew she could. Because when she did you could tell... and it was breathtaking. Too bad these instances were so rare.
—Christine Bissonnette
Mary Gaitskill has an incredible talent for putting into writing intimate and often perhaps best-left-unrevealed thoughts, urges, emotions. The stories of "Because They Wanted To" were incredibly well-written, thought-provoking and - I found - painful, taken in full. Gaitskill frequently writes the way I feel somehow, which convinced me that even when the thoughts expressed were not mine, they are nonetheless real. I've never read such raw emotion, I don't think, except for The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing. There were a few times when I read a passage that was like finding out that the emotions I hold deep inside and couldn't not even articulate to myself, but only feel, have been discovered and put down for everyone to read. It's simultaneously comforting, familiar and distressing. But these stories are heartbreakingly sad... it made me wonder if Gaitskill can do the same thing with joy or happiness or discovery? Most of the stories are of desperation, visceral desire, depression, fear - it would be a pleasure to read her exploration the brighter side of emotion, which I believe can have the same depth and complexity. Regardless, read this book, but I recommend taking it one story at a time. Thanks for recommendation, Cara!
—Cari
Recommended by Emily, who suggested that I check out the story "The Dentist," after my recent flurry of dental activity. I also had a mild crush on my wholesome cosmetic dentist, but I never went on a date with him. In fact, he referred me to his wife, who is also a cosmetic dentist, and is a gorgeous blond. If this happened in a Mary Gaitskill story, it would have been more fucked up and sexual. The story "Because They Wanted To" is about babysitting. I also babysit, for an infant, but again, my experience of it is so much more wholesome than of the protagonist in this story, who doesn't know how to change a diaper, is babysitting in the projects, and is forced, ultimately, to abandon the children -- sort of! The worst thing I do at babysitting is eat all of the good food in the fridge.So, thank you Emily, for recommending this book which would resonate with my life in so many ways.
—Georgia
