Same Place, Same Things

by Tim Gautreaux

Book Overview

Set largely in rural Louisiana, Tim Gautreaux's masterful debut story collection follows men and women whose ordinary lives reach a point of rupture, a moment when convention gives way to crisis and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312147279
• ISBN13: 9780312147273
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Twelve Louisiana Stories to Relate to and Identify With

"Returnings," "Deputy Sid's Gift," and "The Bug Man," were my favorites, but anyone who has ever lived in or visited Louisiana can relate to and identify with these Louisiana life experiences about simple life that is not always so simple. The author once taught me creative writing during my time at SLU in Hammond, Louisiana, and as I read his books, he continues to teach me with his literary writing that puts a sparkle in any Louisiana tale with his elegant wit, style, and humor. I recommend this book for any writer who wants to learn to write well-written short stories and any reader who loves a good Louisiana tale!!! I devoured these tales as they took me back to Louisiana and another time and place. Barbara J. Robinson

Superb writer

Fabulous book by a great writer. Got turned on to his short stories in various "Best Short Stories" anthologies and I've been hooked ever since. Great character development and compelling plots make this writer one of my favorites. Buy this book! No, buy all his books.

An O'Connor in White Shrimp Boots

For the last ten years, short stories have repeatedly peaked my disinterest -- until I discovered Gautreaux. But while he captures the south Louisiana joie de vie better than any other writer (he's good at nailing north La. redneck life, too), that's not why I like him so much. I like him because he can flat out tell a story that is simultaneously meaningful and entertaining. And he's funny. Let me repeat that. He's funny. Too many writers are all blood and guts and whodunit and whowenttobedwithit. Few make you laugh. Gautreaux does. He's also hard- boiled at times and poignant, too. Little Frogs in a Ditch, The Bug Man and Floyd's Girl are my favorites. His first novel, The Next Step in the Dance, is worth reading but he needs work on mastering the plotting and pacing components of the longer form. But don't miss the first short story collection to rival Flannery O'Connor's work.

Depth charges for the soul. Best stories I've read in years.

The only way I could tell you what these stories are "like" would be to hand you the book and say, "Go read some." Only the words of the stories, themselves, can communicate their content--which, come to think of it, is a good definition of successful new art. To label these stories would just spoil your pleasure in discovering them. Better for me simply to tell you that a person like me loved them, and is rushing to get Tim Gautreaux's other books. And who is a person like me?--a busy, successful, perceptive, cynical, and creative scientist who dislikes both manipulative sentimentality and self-referential academic rhetoric. I generally prefer history or Richard Dawkins to fiction. When I need an escape, I read Rex Stout (Nero Wolfe). Now I'm going to read Tim Gautreaux, who is an escape into reality.

What a great storyteller!

Tim Gautreaux's stories and characters come to life as you read. His attention to detail is wonderful. He makes you feel what life is like in south Louisiana for these characters. Loved the stories within the story in "Died and Gone to Vegas" , as well as the description of playing 'Bouree'. Reminds me of earlier years with my Cajun family in south Louisiana, where my roots and my heart still are. Although I've lived in the New Orleans metro area all my life, I spent many weekends and summers with family in rural Acadiana. It's good to have such an excellent writer tell the stories of these folks. There is more to Louisiana than life in New Orleans, and Tim Gautreaux seems to have a way of capturing this in his stories and characters. Can't wait to read his new book, "The Next Step in the Dance". Thanks, Tim, for such a good read.