New York: Stories - Softcover

Tales like these feel like new takes on classic stories of New York by Salinger or Capote—fine company, all in all. “My Beautiful Francisco,” in particular, with its Spence School girls and polo matches in the Hamptons, is a charming homage to Salinger’s Upper East Side. But Clarke is most successful when he tackles more modern New York characters. “Thank You, Pierre-Auguste” is an appealing love story set in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in which a successful sculptor falls in love with a divorcée-turned-baker and embraces new artistic media. It’s a timeless romance set in a fiercely contemporary situation. Similarly, “The Three-Cornered Hat” takes a 21st-century figure as its protagonist—a startup founder—and sends him on an awkward evening of tango dancing in the Meatpacking District. While Clarke may not break new ground in the vast genre of New York literature, his enjoyable collection captures an authentic charm and should please any avid reader of stories of the city.

—Kirkus Reviews

Reviews of individual stories:

“Bouquet” is what short stories should be like! In less than fifty pages, I was given an in-depth portrait of a woman who feels so real and who has such a rich story to tell and live. Not only is the present day story intricate and interesting, but the story of Bouquet's time in Peru is heart wrenching. Short stories don't do that anymore! The writing itself is genuine, moving, and a must-read. Terence Clarke has an amazing writing career ahead of him if he not only repeats the brilliance here in “Bouquet,” but also grows with time and exceeds the limits. I will definitely be coming back for more!

—Samantha Colville, Readers’ Favorite

“The Three Cornered Hat” is but one of the authentic little masterpieces in this collection. Discover them and discover Terence Clarke. Highly recommended.

—Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 reviewer

For me “Everyone in L.A.” is a story about the clarity of the heart. Every day we compose crazy stories about the people and circumstances we encounter, based on the smallest fragments of information. After listening at some length to the fanciful “perceptions” of an eavesdropping commuter, the reader witnesses the true insightfulness of the heart. A sweet story.

—John Campbell, Amazon customer

In “Andrea’s Hand,” Declan, a reporter for The New York Times, meets Andrea Villalta, a painter, in Central Park one afternoon. He is fascinated by her and plucks up the courage to speak to her as she sits by a statue in the Conservatory Garden. Their relationship grows, but is overshadowed by Andrea's hidden secret about her twisted fingers, which pain her when she paints her remarkable works. When Andrea finally sums up the courage to tell Declan her story, will she be able to cope with her emotions enough to allow herself to love? “Andrea's Hand” is a simply beautiful, well-crafted short story.

—Heather Osborne, Readers’ Favorite

See the view from the High Line, find love in Central Park, dance with the finest ballerina of the century, and feel the artistic pulse of Williamsburg, Brooklyn...all in New York.

“Clarke’s enjoyable collection captures an authentic charm....new takes on classic stories of New York by Salinger or Capote—fine company, all in all.” –Kirkus Reviews