Reading 1001 discussion
This topic is about
A Gate at the Stairs
Past BOTM discussions
>
A Gate at the Stairs by Moore - Sept BOTM
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
1. In addition to her sense of humor and intelligence, what are Tassie's strengths as a narrator? How does what she describes as “an unseemly collection of jostling former selves” (p. 63) affect the narrative and contribute to the appeal of her tale?
2. In the farming community where Tassie grew up, her father “seemed a vaguely contemptuous character. . . . His idiosyncrasies appeared to others to go beyond issues of social authenticity and got into questions of God and man and existence” (p. 19). Does the family, either intentionally or inadvertently, perpetuate their standing as outsiders? How does Moore use what ordinarily might be seen as clichés and stereotypes to create believable and sympathetic portraits of both the locals and the Keltjin family?
3. How does the initial meeting between Tassie and Sarah (pp. 10-24) create a real, if hesitant, connection between them? What aspects of their personalities come out in their conversation? To what extent are their impressions of each other influenced by their personal needs, both practical and psychological?
4. Are Sarah's ill-chosen comments at the meetings with Amber (p. 32) and Bonnie (pp. 89-90, p. 93) the result of the natural awkwardness between a birth mother and a potential adoptive mother or do they reveal deeper insecurities in Sarah? Does the adoption process inevitably involve a certain amount of willful deception, unenforceable promises (p. 87), and a “ceremony of approval . . . [that is] as with all charades. . . . wanly ebullient, necessary, and thin” (p. 95)?
5. What is the significance of Tassie's first impression of Edward-“one could see it was his habit to almost imperceptibly dominate and insult”-and her realization that “[d]espite everything, [Sarah] was in love with him” (p. 91)? Does Edward's behavior at dinner and the “small conspiracy” he and Tassie establish (pp. 112-114) offer a more sympathetic (or at least more understandable) view of him? Are there other passages in the novel that bring out the contradictions between his outward behavior and his private thoughts?
6. Does A Gate at the Stairs accurately reflect the persistence of racism in America? What do the comments and encounters sprinkled throughout in the novel (pp. 80, 112, 151, 167, 229) show about the various forms racism takes in our society?
7. Do you agree with Sarah's statement, “Racial blindness-now there's a very white idea” (p. 86)? What do the discussions in Sarah's support group (pp. 154-57; 186-90; 194-97) reveal about the different perceptions of reality held by African-Americans and white liberals? What role do class, wealth, and professional status play in opinions expressed by various members of the group? In this context, what is the import of Tassie's description of Mary-Emma's affection for Reynaldo: “the colorblindness of small children is a myth; she noticed difference and sameness, with almost equal interest; there was no 'Dilemma of Difference' as my alliteration-loving professors occasionally put it” (p. 169)?
8. How would you characterize the comments about religion throughout the novel (pp. 41, 108, 129)? What is the significance of the fact that Tassie's mother is Jewish, a woman of “indeterminate ethnicity” in a churchgoing community? Why are Roberta Marshall and Sarah so cavalier about Bonnie's insistence that her child be raised as a Catholic (p. 87)? How do Reynaldo's revelations about his activities and beliefs (pp. 204-8) fit into Tassie's view of God and religion in general? On page 296, Tassie offers a thoughtful explanation of the purpose of religion in people's lives. Are there other lessons about the meaning of religion or faith to be found in the novel?
9. The title of the book comes from a ballad Tassie writes with her roommate (p. 219-20). What does music-playing the bass and singing to Mary-Emma-represent to Tassie? How does it connect her to her own family and to Mary-Emma?
10. Does the novel prepare you for Sarah's dreadful confession (pp. 232-242)? What particular incidents or conversations foreshadow the revelations? How do Sarah's “conventional” beliefs about men and women affect the couple's behavior during and after the tragedy (pp. 240, 244)? Was their decision to move and start anew the best solution under the circumstances? Do the reasons Sarah gives for remaining with Edward make emotional sense? If they had been able to keep their secret hidden, would they have been able to create a happy future with Mary-Emma?
11. Nannies and other household help often grasp things families don't realize about themselves. Is Tassie an objective chronicler of life in the Brink-Thornwood household? What biases does she bring to her observations? How do her perceptions and opinions change over the course of the novel? In what ways does her growing attachment to Mary-Emma and her relationship with Sarah account for these changes? In what ways are they attributable to the developments in her personal life?
12. How do the vignettes of Tassie's visits home and her life in Troy play off one another? What do Tassie's conversations with her family bring out about the ambivalence she (and many college students) experience? Why does Tassie fail to recognize the depth of Robert's pain and confusion? Is Robert's decision to join the army given the attention it deserves by the rest of the family?
13. Does the Midwestern setting of the novel offer a distinctive perspective on September 11, 2001, and the mood of the country? How were the events experienced in other parts of America-for example, in the cities directly affected by the terrorist attacks?
14. Lorrie Moore has been widely praised for her affecting depictions of human vulnerability and her dark humor. How does Moore integrate clever one-liners, puns, and wordplay into the serious themes she is exploring? What role does humor play in exposing the thoughts, feelings, and fears the characters are unwilling or unable to express? Does it heighten the emotional force of the novel or diminish it?
15. “I had also learned that in literature-perhaps as in life-one had to speak not of what the author intended but of what a story intended for itself” (p. 263-64]. How does this quotation apply to your reading of A Gate at the Stairs ?
1. Tassie seems very genuine what you see is what you get, she is straightforward and trying to do right by everyone around her.
2. The only thing that really sticks in my mind is the potatoes and the exclusive contracts with the restaurants. He is not a "real" farmer as such but he does make a living of sorts from the land.
3. They seem to like each other instantly. Sarah is not threatened initially by Tassie and she is caught up in the excitement of the moment while Tassie is enthralled by the glamourous lifestyle she perceives.
4. I think she is insecure and this does come out with how she interacts with the potential mothers. She wants to please and be chosen but perhaps almost hopes she won't be.
5. I didn't like Edward and his whole attitude towards his wife and women in general did not make him sympathetic to me.
6. As a non American I can't comment on the accuracy but the comments and looks Tassie gets when out with Mary show casual racism as do the suggestions of having "mixed race" friends in a social circle.
7. Yes I completely agree with Sarah white people have the option of being colour blind whereas for black people it is something they are constantly aware of.
8. Religion plays an important part for the secondary characters the main characters have a take it or leave it attitude. The novel does cover all the main one God religions I don't recall it covering any multi god religions.
9. Well I totally missed that I had it in my head that the gate at the stairs was a child gate and represented that change LOL. Tassie can be herself with music when it is just her and Mary and I think she enjoys teaching the child.
10. Not really you know something bad happened in the past but it is still a shock to find out the details of what happened and yes that incident does not endear Edward to me. Even if the adoption had been successful I don't think they would have made good parents they are too obsessed with themselves and they have too many conflicts between them to be happy. They also wanted the adoption for different reasons so there is another conflict there.
11. I think Tassie is a reliable commentator because she has no axe to grind. She is friendly with Sarah and wary of Edward and she genuinely loves Mary I think a happier ending would have been Tassie and Mary ending up together as they clearly had the best relationship.
12.
13. Non American so can't comment.
14. I enjoyed the humour in the novel it made the characters more relatable.
15.
2. The only thing that really sticks in my mind is the potatoes and the exclusive contracts with the restaurants. He is not a "real" farmer as such but he does make a living of sorts from the land.
3. They seem to like each other instantly. Sarah is not threatened initially by Tassie and she is caught up in the excitement of the moment while Tassie is enthralled by the glamourous lifestyle she perceives.
4. I think she is insecure and this does come out with how she interacts with the potential mothers. She wants to please and be chosen but perhaps almost hopes she won't be.
5. I didn't like Edward and his whole attitude towards his wife and women in general did not make him sympathetic to me.
6. As a non American I can't comment on the accuracy but the comments and looks Tassie gets when out with Mary show casual racism as do the suggestions of having "mixed race" friends in a social circle.
7. Yes I completely agree with Sarah white people have the option of being colour blind whereas for black people it is something they are constantly aware of.
8. Religion plays an important part for the secondary characters the main characters have a take it or leave it attitude. The novel does cover all the main one God religions I don't recall it covering any multi god religions.
9. Well I totally missed that I had it in my head that the gate at the stairs was a child gate and represented that change LOL. Tassie can be herself with music when it is just her and Mary and I think she enjoys teaching the child.
10. Not really you know something bad happened in the past but it is still a shock to find out the details of what happened and yes that incident does not endear Edward to me. Even if the adoption had been successful I don't think they would have made good parents they are too obsessed with themselves and they have too many conflicts between them to be happy. They also wanted the adoption for different reasons so there is another conflict there.
11. I think Tassie is a reliable commentator because she has no axe to grind. She is friendly with Sarah and wary of Edward and she genuinely loves Mary I think a happier ending would have been Tassie and Mary ending up together as they clearly had the best relationship.
12.
13. Non American so can't comment.
14. I enjoyed the humour in the novel it made the characters more relatable.
15.
1. Tassie is observant, but she does not necessarily think about what her observations might mean. Her "jostling former selves" complicate what the reader thinks of her. Moore slyly has Tassie note things without thinking about them which makes the reader want to shake her for being a typical self involved young college student, not exploring what other people really are.2. The mid-Westerners other than the main characters seem to be truly frightening characters. The contempt they hold for Tassie's father, who is doing something which now would be applauded as sustainable living, is particularly deplorable.
3. Sarah does not even check Tassie's references, for reasons which become apparent later. Tassie is desperate for a holiday job, so they both feel favourably toward the other without introspection.
4. As an adopted person myself I found these scenes particularly fraught and do not want to comment further.
5. Tassie sees right through Edward at the start and notes Sarah's disappointment when he doesn't arrive for the adoption interview, but she again, does not dwell on her observations, even when he is hiding in the basement when she meets the laundress for the first time.
6. It is hard to know as a non-American, how and where racism persists, but the earnest discussion which waft disconnectedly up the stairs to Tassie are wonderful satire on liberal sensibilities.
7. As above.
8. Tassie thought religion irrelevant until she was mourning Robert, which was when she realised that it could have a purpose for the bereaved. Some of her comments were witty and irreligious.
9. I also thought that the title referred to the broken gate that led down to the front door. It was carelessly repaired, which I thought a symbol for Sarah and Edward's careless attitude towards adoption.
10. Sarah loved Edward and acceded to his wishes with disastrous consequences for Gabriel. How could the reader know whether they would have been able to give Emmie a happy upbringing?
11. Tassie noticed things but didn't ponder them enough. She developed a happy relationship with Reynaldo and Emmie despite the falsity of the relationship.
12. Robert certainly did not get the attention he deserved. His parents both blamed the recruitment officer, but did little, apparently, to disuade his joining up. Tassie didn't even read his email appeal for help.
13. I really can't answer his question. I didn't even notice that the setting was post 9-11.
14. I loved the witticisms, but they invariably disguised real emotions.
Mod
2. not sure I can or will answer this but what I would say is; if you farm differently than the normal midwest farmer, they're going to look down on you. Its just the way farmers are. They measure each other's fields, how straight, whether they got the crop in or are they lazy, etc. I found it interesting that he was growing foods that people really will eat instead of the industrialized crops.
3. Again too much wordiness. Sarah is able to connect with Tassie on some level and Sarah doesn't walk a normal path just as Tassie doesn't and Sarah has a lot to hide. They had a lot in common too.
4. I thought the book did a good job of showing how the adoption process can be very difficult. I felt so bad for Mary Emma because every switch in foster home, caretaker is another trauma that poor child had to endure and in reality will result in attachment issues.
5. Edward is dispicable. Tassie obviously had could instincts.
6. I think the book shows how complicated the whole issue is.
I guess you know there is something about this couple that is off, but I don't think I was able to guess what it was and it is a twist that I wasn't expecting.
I also thought the gate was a reference to the baby gates all over the house besides the front gate.
Because the book was touted as a post 9/11 book, I expected more. It was only a subtle presence. Mostly in the bf and his prayer rug and his talks of jihad.
I think the only person who truly loved and appreciated the specialness of Mary Emma was Tassie. I didn't think Sarah was particularly good at being a mother and her husband was awful.
1. In addition to her sense of humor and intelligence, what are Tassie's strengths as a narrator? How does what she describes as “an unseemly collection of jostling former selves” (p. 63) affect the narrative and contribute to the appeal of her tale?Tassie narrates from a time in the future in which she is slightly more knowledgeable about herself and looking back she is both very critical of her former self for not having any ability to read social clues and also being very self absorbed, but she is also very forgiving of herself. This leads the reader to also be forgiving.
2. In the farming community where Tassie grew up, her father “seemed a vaguely contemptuous character. . . . His idiosyncrasies appeared to others to go beyond issues of social authenticity and got into questions of God and man and existence” (p. 19). Does the family, either intentionally or inadvertently, perpetuate their standing as outsiders? How does Moore use what ordinarily might be seen as clichés and stereotypes to create believable and sympathetic portraits of both the locals and the Keltjin family?
I do not know about Mid-western farmers, but in almost any community that is largely of one stripe, any slight divergence from the norm tends to make the majority contemptuous of these differences while at the same time, a community will often relish the fact that there are outsiders in their community to give them something to compare against and talk about. The Keltjin family is aware of this dynamic and is comfortable with it.
3. How does the initial meeting between Tassie and Sarah (pp. 10-24) create a real, if hesitant, connection between them? What aspects of their personalities come out in their conversation? To what extent are their impressions of each other influenced by their personal needs, both practical and psychological?
Both see the other as what they want because they are so needy, without really investigating or questioning in any way who the other person really is. Sarah says that she fell for Tassie's innocence but I suspect she really just found her ignorant enough not to question Sarah too closely.
4. Are Sarah's ill-chosen comments at the meetings with Amber (p. 32) and Bonnie (pp. 89-90, p. 93) the result of the natural awkwardness between a birth mother and a potential adoptive mother or do they reveal deeper insecurities in Sarah? Does the adoption process inevitably involve a certain amount of willful deception, unenforceable promises (p. 87), and a “ceremony of approval . . . [that is] as with all charades. . . . wanly ebullient, necessary, and thin” (p. 95)?
I know nothing about the reality of the adoption process but certainly this book makes it appear to be one of a play being acted out for the benefit of conforming to the law. Sarah is naturally awkward and insecure, and she doesn't perceive the needs of Amber and / or Bonnie well at all.
5. What is the significance of Tassie's first impression of Edward-“one could see it was his habit to almost imperceptibly dominate and insult”-and her realization that “[d]espite everything, [Sarah] was in love with him” (p. 91)? Does Edward's behavior at dinner and the “small conspiracy” he and Tassie establish (pp. 112-114) offer a more sympathetic (or at least more understandable) view of him? Are there other passages in the novel that bring out the contradictions between his outward behavior and his private thoughts?
We are told that Edward is a naturally charming man who is depicted as completely without charm. The reader is made to understand he is attractive to other women but there is nothing in what the author has written that I found attractive.
6. Does A Gate at the Stairs accurately reflect the persistence of racism in America? What do the comments and encounters sprinkled throughout in the novel (pp. 80, 112, 151, 167, 229) show about the various forms racism takes in our society?
The book highlights a particular kind of racism in a particular kind of white middle class academic setting. It is not a setting I know much about but the fact that it does acknowledge this racism with satire is something.
7. Do you agree with Sarah's statement, “Racial blindness-now there's a very white idea” (p. 86)? What do the discussions in Sarah's support group (pp. 154-57; 186-90; 194-97) reveal about the different perceptions of reality held by African-Americans and white liberals? What role do class, wealth, and professional status play in opinions expressed by various members of the group? In this context, what is the import of Tassie's description of Mary-Emma's affection for Reynaldo: “the colorblindness of small children is a myth; she noticed difference and sameness, with almost equal interest; there was no 'Dilemma of Difference' as my alliteration-loving professors occasionally put it” (p. 169)?
Others answered this well. African Americans are not often in a situation in which they would even be able to project racial blindness, while a white person can express that they don't see or act on any difference. This is obviously ridiculous as even a young child notes sameness and difference even if it doesn't come with a judgement about that sameness or difference.
8. How would you characterize the comments about religion throughout the novel (pp. 41, 108, 129)? What is the significance of the fact that Tassie's mother is Jewish, a woman of “indeterminate ethnicity” in a churchgoing community? Why are Roberta Marshall and Sarah so cavalier about Bonnie's insistence that her child be raised as a Catholic (p. 87)? How do Reynaldo's revelations about his activities and beliefs (pp. 204-8) fit into Tassie's view of God and religion in general? On page 296, Tassie offers a thoughtful explanation of the purpose of religion in people's lives. Are there other lessons about the meaning of religion or faith to be found in the novel?
I thought the whole Reynaldo revelation too much of a shtick. Although the author set us up for it, she also set us up for seeing it coming a mile away and the fact that Tassie didn't see it, didn't play well with me. At least Tassie's reactions were funny: "Maybe God has not done a sufficient job of meet and greet". Tassie acknowledges the use of religion as a comfort during her mourning.
9. The title of the book comes from a ballad Tassie writes with her roommate (p. 219-20). What does music-playing the bass and singing to Mary-Emma-represent to Tassie? How does it connect her to her own family and to Mary-Emma?
When Tassie is playing music she is most grounded in herself. It is a strong emotional release. Emmie also seems to connect with music and to connect with Tassie when she is playing music.
The ballad that Tassie and Murphy wrote refers to not being able to go to heaven with someone and that foreshadows future events.
10. Does the novel prepare you for Sarah's dreadful confession (pp. 232-242)? What particular incidents or conversations foreshadow the revelations? How do Sarah's “conventional” beliefs about men and women affect the couple's behavior during and after the tragedy (pp. 240, 244)? Was their decision to move and start anew the best solution under the circumstances? Do the reasons Sarah gives for remaining with Edward make emotional sense? If they had been able to keep their secret hidden, would they have been able to create a happy future with Mary-Emma?
Yes, although I didn't know exactly how Sarah and Edward had messed up in the past, I did feel as if we would eventually find out. Much of the book I could predict but I did not predict the nature of their horrible actions. Sarah feels she has not been punished enough and never will be and yet she sees in Edward the only person who will ever fully understand that pain.
I think they would not have been able to create a solid foundation for Mary-Emma but they should have known that from the get go. Their not acknowledging that to themselves from the start did even more damage to Mary-Emma.
11. Nannies and other household help often grasp things families don't realize about themselves. Is Tassie an objective chronicler of life in the Brink-Thornwood household? What biases does she bring to her observations? How do her perceptions and opinions change over the course of the novel? In what ways does her growing attachment to Mary-Emma and her relationship with Sarah account for these changes? In what ways are they attributable to the developments in her personal life?
We are told and shown how Tassie is not particularly insightful about other people's behavior or motivations. This strangely makes the reader believe her comments all the more. As Tassie gains experiences with deception and lies she comes to bring that judgement to others.
12. How do the vignettes of Tassie's visits home and her life in Troy play off one another? What do Tassie's conversations with her family bring out about the ambivalence she (and many college students) experience? Why does Tassie fail to recognize the depth of Robert's pain and confusion? Is Robert's decision to join the army given the attention it deserves by the rest of the family?
The author's descriptions of the farm and the surrounding landscapes and weather are quite well done. Even though we have been told and shown how Tassie is self-absorbed, as many college age students are when they head out into the frightening future,
it still didn't sit well with me that she just ignored Robert's email. Once again, the author sets us up. The minute that email is ignored I knew what to expect.
13. Does the Midwestern setting of the novel offer a distinctive perspective on September 11, 2001, and the mood of the country? How were the events experienced in other parts of America-for example, in the cities directly affected by the terrorist attacks?
New York City was full of people that survived and felt guilty about it, were heroes and lived with disabilities because of breathing horrible fumes, and many people who simply took care of each other. D.C. and Pennsylvania (or the airlines) probably had parallels to this. I suspect anywhere outside, it was a much more abstract situation. However, Moslems did go from being largely invisible, in a not good way, to often being ethnically profiled and hated. Reynaldo's confessions were an illustration of this played for satire.
14. Lorrie Moore has been widely praised for her affecting depictions of human vulnerability and her dark humor. How does Moore integrate clever one-liners, puns, and wordplay into the serious themes she is exploring? What role does humor play in exposing the thoughts, feelings, and fears the characters are unwilling or unable to express? Does it heighten the emotional force of the novel or diminish it?
Much of Tassie's humor and her father's humor I appreciated. The humor displayed by others (Wednesday night support group, Sarah's quirky humor etc), I didn't really appreciate. Humor often disguises emotions, particularly anxiety.
1. As the story is being told by a future Tassie we can sense her frustration at herself. This does mean that there are few surprises in the story - the "identity" of her boyfriend, the fate of Robert etc are all hinted at earlier.2. He still earns some sort of living from the farm, even if is small and not well maintained. He seems to have found a niche and supplies high-end restaurants, perhaps reflecting his own wealthy upbringing. Perhaps a sense of longing to belong helped push Robert towards the military.
4. The whole process of adoption just seemed like a constant minefield; rival agencies, evasions of laws, tick boxing and no real concern for the individuals involved.
5. Yuck. From his hair to the way he talks. It is a good job that he does not get much page time and it is a sign that Tassie is growing up that she does not join the "other women" hinted at by Sarah in falling for him.
6. I loved the conversations overheard from the Wednesday meetings. The satire was one of my favourite parts of the book. I am not American but I guess it does indicate how embedded it is in society. I am currently reading Uncle Tom's Cabin and it manages to be incredibly racist but so important in ultimately leading to societal changes. Ultimately the idea of say, mixed playdates solely because the child is black, is repugnant but... the more interaction, the more contact, hopefully the better things are. Baby steps to the building of a better world.
7. Great answers from others.
8. Most of the main characters are not religious, although Tassie does come to a more nuanced view while grieving. I think the Reynaldo storyline was obvious though. The half-Jewishness was one further thing that set the family apart from others in their community. Ultimately some of the characters are exploring the idea of faith - from the students studying Intro to Islam to Reynaldo.
9. Music links Emmie to Tassie and highlights that in many ways she is the true parent figure, not Sarah (and certainly not Edward). It links her to Reynaldo via the xylophone, and as mentioned in the question, to her roommate via the bass. I think the title also refers to the broken gate leading up to the property of Sarah and Edward (a sign of the brokenness inside) and the regular mentions of baby gates.
10. I don't think they would ever have been suitable for Mary-Emma. Sarah seems to have been deluding herself but Edward always seemed very distant.
11. She portrays herself as a naive narrator and overlooks obvious clues. She wants things to go well and struggles when they don't. And she suffers because of her lack of experience in judging people. The young daughter of the first foster home is a foreshadow. Ultimately she was paid to care for Mary-Emma not to become too attached.
12 Oh that she had read that email.
13. Not American.
Questions for Discussion1. Tassie is a passive but astute observer and seems like someone that people feel comfortable opening up to. This lets her observe and analyse the feelings of others without being too emotionally embroiled.
2. I am not too familiar with rural American culture as I think that most of the books and media I consume about the US is based in cosmopolitan cities. Tassie had a relationship with her family and hometown that I feel many people have, one of wanting to escape but ultimately returning at times when comfort is needed.
4. Sarah tries very hard to be sympathetic and liberal but her wealth and status confers on her unconscious bias that comes out in these interactions and also her interactions with Tassie (e.g. expecting Tassie to give up her weekend to travel out of state with her a few weeks after starting working for her)
5. I always found Edward sleazy and unlikeable and wasn't surprised by his actions at the end of the novel
6. I think this is a good refection of the conversations about race that were happening at this time. 20 years on I'd like to think we have both better awareness and more space for people with lived experience with racism to share their views rather than the conversation be dominated by the white middle class.
7. As above, colourblindness was a very 00s view of racism and the conversation has now moved to one of recognising diversity and acknowledging different experiences based on race
8. Lots to unpack on this topic. It shows how the varying characters have varying levels of devotion and practice to their religion and how it has differing levels of importance and meaning across their lives.
9. I enjoyed the music sections especially the song lyrics and love the idea of people connecting through music but not sure what else it brought to the novel
10. This part of the novel was so tragic and I was not expecting it at all. I'm not sure how realistic I found the fall out and the effect on their relationship. It is hard to even imagine going through something like that.
11. Tassie admired Sarah and maybe saw her as something of a role model. Her comment in the end that she would likely also end up in New York like Sarah reflects this mentor/mentee relationship. But at the same time, Tassie could also see things from Mary Emma's perspective and that allowed her to be more critical of Sarah.
12. To be honest I found these parts of the book a bit boring and skimmed through them. I did like Tassie's father's incredulity at her liberal and obscure classes though
13. Yes, it was a perspective I haven't really read about and maybe similar to that of other countries who witnessed the attacks but were removed from them.
14. I loved the humour and prose of this book. It was probably it's greatest strength and made it easier to get through some of the more upsetting aspects of the plot.
15. I'm still not sure what the message and purpose of this book was but I did enjoy the journey.
Lorrie Moore's ability to blend quick wit and hilarious observations of current trends with moving portraits of people struggling with loneliness, confusion, and the desire for love has made her one of the most admired writers of our time. Capturing the mood of post-9/11 America with astonishing deftness and precision, A Gate at the Stairs showcases Moore at the height of her powers.
— From the publisher