A review by jasonfurman
Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It by Maile Meloy

5.0

A fantastic collection of short stories. Each of them is to the point, beautifully depicted, and haunting. The themes are somewhat depressing to contemplate -- from adulterous spouses who fail to follow through on their plans to leave (thus the title "Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It") to father's betraying their daughters in unimaginable yet somewhat sympathetically to parents who are largely forsaken by their spoiled children. The majority of the stories are set in Montana with the remainder spread around the country and in one case Argentina. Many are set in the 1970s, although the time isn't particularly central. And almost all are about relationships, usually family ones, that start out appearing quite normal but that quickly become apparent are deeply damaged. I'm looking forward to her novels, with some fear that the first one will place more emphasis on the liars than it does the saints.