In the Bedroom by Andre Dubus
Wonderful Collection
The seven stories collected here–including “Killings,” the basis for Todd
Field’s award-winning film In the Bedroom–showcase legendary writer
Andre Dubus’s sheer narrative mastery in a book of quietly staggering
emotional power.
A father in mourning contemplates the unthinkable as the only way to allay
his grief. A boy must learn to care for his younger brother when their
mother leaves the family. A young woman who has never lacked lovers
despairs of ever finding love itself, and then makes an accidental discovery
that brings her real joy. Culled from Dubus’s treasured collections Selected
Stories and Dancing After Hours, these beautiful stories of people at
pivotal moments in their lives are some of the most bewitching and
profound in American fiction.
Personal Review: In the Bedroom by Andre Dubus

I was motivated to read this collection solely on the power behind Todd
Fields fantastic film `In The Bedroom' which hails it's magnificent plot from
the short story `Killings'. `Killings' subsequently opens this collection
strong, its dark underlining chaos perfectly laced subtly between pure and
simple fear of tragedy. There comes along only once in many years a
piece of literature so subtle yet so real and raw that it speaks to you, and
this short story as well as the movie that it inspired truly manage to capture
the essence of what makes quality entertainment. `Killings', which only
covers the final frames of the film (which serves as further proof that the
movie itself is a work of genius), may serve as the best of the collection,
but there are plenty of other treats to be found in the six other offerings.
`The Winter Father' is the first of two stories dealing with a fathers desire to
keep his relationship with his children alive after his marriage falls to
pieces. This is the weaker of the two, a bit dry and unfulfilling as far as
story wise. It just seems to carry on with no real objective.
`Rose' on the other hand has quite a powerful objective, and that is to
evoke heartbreak and compassion for this woman's horrific story of abuse
and broken trust. As our narrator retells a story of a woman whom he
meets in a bar we are brought into her world slowly but surely. I will admit
that in the beginning I was a bit turned off, for I was afraid it would take me
no where yet again, but as the meat of the story began to unfold I found
myself glued to each passing page. As Rose recounts her story of a
tortured marriage, an abusive and horrific man and her struggle to save
her children from this monster the reader can do nothing but hope and
pray everything turns out better in the end.
`The Fat Girl' is actually my favorite story here, aside from `Killings'. It just
explores the desire to belong so perfectly, taking a problem (or supposed
problem) that every girl goes through and delves into the inner demons so
brilliantly that you'd swear Andre Dubus himself were a woman who
struggled with weight growing up. The story so elegantly yet bluntly
uncovers that inane desire to belong to something that in the end causes
us to become the one thing we never wanted to be.
I'm not too fond of `Delivering'; it just fails to richly examine infidelity and
the broken home. It's not bad per say, and it's short so it's an easy read,
just not an ultimately satisfying one.
`A Father's Story' on the other hand is very satisfying and is one of the
best offerings here. As it delves into the struggle of a father to make an
impact on his daughter's life, and that willingness to do any and everything
to protect her, it really grabs your heartstrings and plays the saddest of sad
songs. Dubus delicately weaves us a story of a man who has to make a
decision, right or wrong, which ultimately will change his daughter's life
forever. It's not the easiest decision to make, but in the end you
understand fully why it was made.

The final story, while decent, is not as gripping or as satisfying as some of
the other stories. `All the Time in the World' delves into relationships of a
different nature, those of a man and woman, romantic, destructive, healthy
and problematic. It does a decent job at rendering feeling and justification
in the eyes and actions of those who have difficulty making a commitment;
who seem determined to find love but continue to propel it away, but it
ends on a note the reader will appreciate. This collection, while not quote-
unquote perfect, delivers so much in its small body that it's well worth the
time spent to uncover the riches within. Andre Dubus was such a
wonderfully talented author, and reading his work is nothing short of a
privilege!
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