Drift: stories from Newport Beach

A "wonderfully realized" story collection that "scrapes off the glitter" of posh Newport Beach, California ( Publishers Weekly ). Welcome to Newport Beach, California—a community often found glittering in the spotlight, but one that isn't always as glamorous as we imagine. Through the lives of waiters and waitresses, divorced and single parents, and alienated teens, Victoria Patterson's Drift offers a rare and rewarding view into the real life of this nearly mythical place, all the while plumbing the depths of female friendship and what it means to be an outsider. Fresh, energetic, deceptively powerful and delightfully frank, hers is a voice you won't be able to stop reading. A “wonderfully realized” story collection that “scrapes off the glitter” of posh Newport Beach, California ( Publishers Weekly ). Welcome to Newport Beach, California—a community that often seems dazzling from a distance, but isn’t always as glamorous as we imagine. In this fresh and fearless collection of interconnected stories, Victoria Patterson introduces us to a homeless stoner named John Wayne; a trophy wife who is cheating on her husband—who in turn has a secret of his own; and a confused teenager named Rosie whose wayward coming of age is depicted with frank honesty and piercing insight. Through the lives of these and other denizens of this coastal city, Patterson’s Drift offers “keen perspectives on life lived on the fringe” while plumbing the depths of female friendship and what it means to be an outsider ( Booklist ). “ Drift is one of the truest depictions of Southern California I’ve read yet. . . . Subtle, honest, and a great pleasure to read.” —Danzy Senna, author of New People “Patterson is our generation’s heir to John O’Hara and Edith Wharton. Several times I had to put this book down just to catch my breath.” —Michelle Huneven, author of Jamesland Victoria Patterson's Beautiful Stories Break Our Hearts As They Inform Us. Through Her Characters We See The Complications And Trauma Of Not Fitting In With One's Surroundings, In A Version Of California We Are Rarely Allowed To See. Haunting, Affirming, And Often Comic, Her Stories Make The Reader Grateful For This Writer's Documentation Of Our Human Alienation-and Our Unexpected Bonds. Patterson Is A Gifted Storyteller, A Fresh, Essential New Voice. - Dana Johnson, Author Of Break Any Woman Down (dana Johnson ). Remoras -- Holloway's: Part Two -- Castaways -- Tijuana Burro Man -- John Wayne -- Henry's House -- John Wayne Loves Grandma Dot -- Holloway's: Part One -- The First And Second Time -- Winter Formal: A Night Of Magic -- The Locket -- Joe/christina -- The Morning After. Victoria Patterson. A Mariner Original. From a fresh new Southern California voice comes this wise and intimate debut collection that offers a fascinating glimpse of exclusive Newport Beach through the lives of the waiters and waitresses, divorced and single parents, and alienated teens who all, in some way, find themselves on the outside looking in. ""Henry's House"" introduces us to Melody and Katharine, single mothers who raised their daughters together--until Melody marries for money, sacrificing herself so that her mother and Katharine can enjoy the luxuries her beauty has earned them all. ""Remoras"" probes the transformative Remoras Holloway's: Part Two Castaways Tijuana burro man John Wayne Henry's house John Wayne loves Grandma Dot Holloway's: Part One The 1st & 2nd time Winter Formal: A Night of Magic The Locket Joe/Christina The Morning After.