Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It

By: Maile Meloy

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter, Bronson Pinchot

Award-winning writer Maile Meloy’s return to short stories explores complex lives in an austere landscape with the clear-sightedness that first endeared her to fans.

p>Eleven unforgettable new stories demonstrate the emotional power and the clean, assured style that have earned Meloy praise from critics and devotion from readers and listeners. Propelled by a terrific instinct for storytelling, and concerned with the convolutions of modern love and the importance of place, this collection is about the battlefields—and fields of victory—that exist in seemingly harmless spaces, in kitchens and living rooms and cars. Set mostly in the American West, the stories feature small-town lawyers, ranchers, doctors, parents, and children and explore the moral quandaries of love, family, and friendship.

A ranch hand falls for a recent law-school graduate who appears unexpectedly—and reluctantly—in his remote Montana town. A young father opens his door to find his dead grandmother standing on the front step. Two women weigh love and betrayal during an early snow. Throughout the book, Meloy examines the tensions between having and wanting, as her characters try to keep hold of opposing forces in their lives: innocence and experience, risk and stability, fidelity and desire.

Knowing, sly, and bittersweet, Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It confirms Maile Meloy’s singular literary talent. Her lean, controlled prose, full of insight and unexpected poignancy, is the perfect complement to her powerfully moving storytelling.

©2009 Maile Meloy (P)2010 Blackstone Audio

Critic reviews

“[Meloy] is such a talented and unpredictable writer that I’m officially joining her fan club; whatever she writes next, I’ll gladly read it.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

“Meloy’s lean, targeted descriptions and her ultimately compassionate eye make this journey hurt so good.” ( Los Angeles Times)

"[R]eads like a Bruce Springsteen album sounds: raw with a tender wildness and loaded with adolescent ache.” ( O, the Oprah Magazine)

Great stuff

I have truly enjoyed the collection of stories in this collection. My first time reading this author, looking forward to more.

I enjoyed these stories

I was surprised to find I liked ALL of the stories. I thought they were well written, creative, and definitely made me feel for the characters.

A beautiful selection of short stories

Some of the stories had a surprising end
I felt that the stories were really smart.

Unexpected

The stories were delightfully unconventional. I loved the narration with the switching male/female perspectives. My only regret was that I wanted each story to become a novel!

Tremendous, thought-provoking storytelling

I heard the last story in this collection, "O Tannenbaum" on a podcast and found it so moving I immediately used an Audible credit to get the entire audiobook. I was not disappointed.

The stories are primarily set in the American West, and primarily character-driven portraits of desire and eventuality. They are at times somehow cinematic, and I daydreamed about making them into a series. Apparently this has already been done - a movie has, anyway - and I look forward to seeing it.

But I prefer audio, and it is for books like this. Warm, personal portraits perfectly tailored for audio. The reading performances, both male and female, are excellent. The only miss was mispronouncing the author's name at the very end of the book, which was more funny than anything.

Excellent

Richly detailed depictions of not so rare situations.
Great narration. New author for me; now going to find more of her books. Really really enjoyed this!

Compelling variety of stories

Each of these stories grabbed me. The characters, the writing style, the plots. What impressed me the most was that each story was so distinctively different. Highly recommended if you enjoy great tales, well told.

Sweet short stories

Lovely short stories! If you are short for time, this is a great pick. A great listen.

too sad

I was unable to finish this book because every single story had a sad ending. It was clear there would be no feel good moments, and I'd had enough. I left the last two chapters unread

Poignant Stories

These stories are expertly written, featuring characters that feel very real. I enjoy that most of the stories are around half an hour long, as for me at least that is a convenient length of time to listen to an audiobook. Both narrators do a perfect job.