In 'Can't and Won't', Lydia Davis presents a collection of sharply crafted short stories that explore the intricacies of human thought and communication. Each piece invites readers into fragmented yet profound moments of life, ranging from the mundane to the existential. Davis's signature wit and keen observations expose the absurdities of daily routines and personal dilemmas. As she navigates themes of desire, indecision, and the art of storytelling, her unique voice captivates and challenges conventional narrative forms. Prepare for an intellectual journey that probes the depths of what it means to think, feel, and express oneself.
By Lydia Davis
Published: 2015
""The act of writing is a way to confront the limitations of language, a bridge between the unspeakable and the expressed.""
NATIONAL BESTSELLER The New York Times • Los Angeles Times • The Boston Globe Her stories may be literal one-liners: the entirety of "Bloomington" reads, "Now that I have been here for a little while, I can say with confidence that I have never been here before." Or they may be lengthier investigations of the havoc wreaked by the most mundane disruptions to routine: in "A Small Story About a Small Box of Chocolates," a professor receives a gift of thirty-two small chocolates and is paralyzed by the multitude of options she imagines for their consumption. The stories may appear in the form of letters of complaint; they may be extracted from Flaubert's correspondence; or they may be inspired by the author's own dreams, or the dreams of friends. What does not vary throughout Can't and Won't, Lydia Davis's fifth collection of stories, is the power of her finely honed prose. Davis is sharply observant; she is wry or witty or poignant. Above all, she is refreshing. Davis writes with bracing candor and sly humor about the quotidian, revealing the mysterious, the foreign, the alienating, and the pleasurable within the predictable patterns of daily life.
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“"The act of writing is a way to confront the limitations of language, a bridge between the unspeakable and the expressed."”
Can't and Won't
By Lydia Davis
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Lydia Davis is an American author renowned for her innovative approach to short fiction and her distinctive writing style, which blends wit with profound insights into human nature. She is the author of numerous acclaimed works, including 'The End of Stories,' 'Varieties of Disturbance,' and 'Can't and Won't.' Davis is known for her concise prose and the ability to distill complex ideas into succinct narratives. Her contributions to literature earned her the 2013 Man Booker International Prize, solidifying her reputation as a master of the short form.
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