Showing results by author "Alison Espach" in All Categories

Was there any particular reason that, near the end of your lives, you suddenly stopped buying Bounty paper towels? So begins the first question from Bounty’s market research representative to Paul and Maggie. In this unique short story, a couple who died suddenly in their 50s recounts their use of Bounty paper towels and their sudden switch to a bargain brand near the end of their lives. What appears to be a run-of-the-mill spat between spouses at the Stop & Shop is revealed to be a defining moment of a marriage years in decline.

Caroline’s mattress had nothing to do with her untimely death at the age of 28—this, she wants Tempur-Pedic’s market research representative to know. But as she reflects on her first ever mattress purchase and their interview progresses, Caroline dives into the circumstances and decisions that led her and Nicholas—her boyfriend, 10 years her senior and prone to sleeping on the floor—to that particular bed in that particular shopping plaza.

Acclaimed author of The Adults Alison Espach’s short story "In-Depth Market Research Interviews with Dead People" is an at-once hilarious and heart-breaking portrait of a dead woman’s marriage and the Volvo that stood in the middle of it all.

"As narrator, the terrific Laser, an actress and puppeteer, only enhances the swoon-worthy quirks and romance." —Vulture A Today show #ReadwithJenna Book Club Pick, A Goodreads Choice Awards 2024 Winner, and long-listed in many Best of the Year 2024 picks! A propulsive and uncommonly wise...

Als Phoebe Stone in einem grünen Kleid, goldenen High Heels und ohne Tasche im prächtigen »Cornwall Inn« ankommt, wird sie von allen für eine der Hochzeitsgäste gehalten. Denn sie ist die Einzige, die nicht wegen des großen Ereignisses angereist ist. Lange hat sie von diesem Aufenthalt geträumt, nun ist sie hier, am Tiefpunkt ihres Lebens, entschlossen, sich ein letztes Mal ein bisschen Luxus zu gönnen. Doch dann entwickelt sich zwischen den beiden ungleichen Frauen eine überraschende Freundschaft, die alles auf den Kopf stellt.

Après en avoir rêvé depuis des années, Phoebe arrive enfin au Cornwall Inn, un luxueux hôtel du XIXe siècle sur la falaise de Newport, dans le Rhode Island. Elle s'est toujours imaginée y séjourner avec son mari, à déguster des huîtres et faire des promenades en bateau au coucher du soleil. C'est finalement seule qu'elle s'y rend, sans bagages, dans sa plus belle robe en soie verte, déterminée à s'offrir une dernière folie avant de mettre fin à ses jours. Car après plusieurs fausses couches et le départ de son mari, Phoebe n'a plus envie de vivre.

At the center of this affluent suburban universe is Emily Vidal, a smart and snarky teenager, who gets involved in a dangerous relationship. Among the cast of unforgettable characters are Emily’s father, whose fiftieth birthday party has the adults descending upon the Vidals’ patio; her mother, who has orchestrated the elaborate party even though she and her husband are getting a divorce; and an assortment of eccentric neighbors, high school teachers, and teenagers who teem with anxiety and an unbridled desire to be noticed, and ultimately loved.

For much of her life, Sally Holt has been mystified by the things her older sister, Kathy, seems to have been born knowing. Kathy has answers for all of Sally’s questions about life, about love, and about Billy Barnes, a rising senior and local basketball star who mans the concession stand at the town pool. The girls have been fascinated by Billy ever since he jumped off the roof in elementary school, but Billy has never shown much interest in them until the summer before Sally begins eighth grade.

È una bellissima giornata a Newport, Rhode Island, quando Phoebe Stone arriva, da sola, al grand hotel Cornwall Inn sfoggiando un elegante vestito verde e scarpe dorate col tacco. Subito, nella hall, tutti la scambiano per una degli invitati che si sono raccolti nell'albergo per i festeggiamenti del matrimonio che sta per celebrarsi, ma in effetti lei è l'unica ospite dell'hotel estranea a quell'evento. Phoebe è lì perché sognava di soggiornarvi da anni, anzi sognava di farlo col marito, e adesso che lui l'ha lasciata Phoebe è arrivata al Cornwall con uno scopo ben preciso.

Eine große Geschichte über die unerklärlichen Wege, auf denen Liebe uns findet und alte Wunden heilt. Sally hat ihre große Schwester schon immer bewundert. Kathy scheint alles zu wissen, über die Liebe und das Leben und über ihren Freund Billy, von dem auch Sally heimlich fasziniert ist. Als Kathy durch einen Autounfall viel zu früh aus dem Leben gerissen wird, bricht Sallys Welt zusammen. Sie muss lernen, ohne Kathy zu sein. Und sie muss akzeptieren, dass sie selbst älter wird, weiterlebt und weiterliebt. Ausgerechnet Kathys Exfreund Billy ist derjenige, der Sallys Verlust am besten verstehen kann.