Why read Pictures of Houses with Water Damage?

Book cover of Pictures of Houses with Water Damage

Book description

Michael Hemmingson has been called “Raymond Carver on acid” by literary guru Larry McCaffery and “a disciple of a quick and dirty literature” by the American Book Review. Hemmingson writes from within the everyday man's murky nightmares, offering hints and then, dazzlingly, reneging on his hints.

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Short story collections

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Why read it?

1 author picked Pictures of Houses with Water Damage as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Michael Konik

Author

In this collection of short and very short stories, the characters are anything but heroic.

They have unwanted pregnancies, alcohol and drug problems, dysfunctional romances, horrible jobs, no jobs, glorious aspirations, and inglorious resolutions. Hemmingson writes short, plain sentences reminiscent of Carver and Hemingway – but with little macho bluster and much sensitivity. The revelation of this collection is its humor.

Despite the travails detailed in each narrative, the stories are funny, sometimes hilarious, reminding the reader that life in all its imperfections is mysteriously beautiful.

From Michael's 3 favorite reads in 2023.