The Book Wheel

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“Belle Fontaine” is Bittersweet

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“Belle Fontaine” is BittersweetThe House At Belle Fontaine by Lily Tuck
Published by Atlantic Monthly Press on April 23, 2013
Genres/Lists: Fiction
Pages: 160
Read synopsis on Goodreads
I received this book for free from NetGalley.
Buy the book: Amazon/Audible (this post includes affiliate links) four-stars


The House at Belle Fontaine is a book of short stories by Lily Tuck, who, unbeknownst to me, has an incredible reputation as a great writer. As part of my 50 Bookish Things to do Before You Die list, I want to read more essay/short story collections, which is why I requested this one. The short stories in this book are melancholic, weaving tales of lost loves, dreams, and lives. While some are sad and heartbreaking, others left me bewildered and wondering whether I had just read a short story of one-half of one.

One of the problems I have encountered in short story collection over the years (less so with essays), is that they do not have a beginning, middle, and end. While I appreciate that short stories are written differently than a full-length novel or essay, the lack of endings has always been my Achilles heel when venturing into this world.

But there were a few essays that I loved, my favorite being The Riding Teacher, a story about two childhood friends and the things that can come between them, while accounting for a complicated love. My second favorite was Sure and Gentle Words, which was about a woman and her one big love (this was also the only one that came full circle, which likely accounts for it being in my top two).

Because I am new to the short story collections, I am going to err on the positive side. I enjoyed this book, flew through the essays, and despite there not being a full beginning, middle, and end, each story evoked a reaction in me, which I believe to be the mark of a good book. But I will say that this would be much better read on a rainy day inside than while lying on the beach!

How about you? Do you like short stories? What do you like or dislike about them?

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  • You won’t believe me, but I cant remember when last I read a collection of short stories!

    • The Book Wheel

      I believe you! I’m new to the bandwagon, but I’m trying to branch out.

  • I just listened to Lily Tuck’s I Married You for Happiness. It was kind of a short novel in fragments! It was an excellent audiobook. Whenever I read short stories, I always want to read more of them, but then I rarely do. I think it’s partly the same with me, I want to settle in to a a book and spend time with the characters. Short stories are usually too short!

    • The Book Wheel

      That sounds like a really fun book to listen to on audiobook! Short stories are easier on audiobook for me than full-length novels because I can listen to one and leave it for a week. I tend to only listen to them in the car, otherwise I’m reading an actual book. Let me know if you come across any other awesome short stories!

  • I love, love, love short story collections. I think how they are organized in the collection is important. And I agree that each story needs to have a beginning, middle, and end. They shouldn’t feel as if they are sketches of ideas for novels (if that makes sense).

    • The Book Wheel

      It makes complete sense. Sometimes I get the feeling that the author want you to “ponder” the meaning of the story so much that I end up pondering what the point was.

  • I just reviewed Lily Tuck’s I Married You for Happiness on audio. It was kind of a novel in fragments! It was the first work of Lily Tuck’s that I’d read and I would definitely read more. I like the idea of mixing essays and short stories together in a single volume. Whenever I read short stories, I always intend to read more right away, but rarely do! I prefer longer-length fiction, too, to settle in and get comfortable with the characters.

    • The Book Wheel

      I’ll go check out the review! I have never even heard of Lily Tuck before, but apparently she’s kind of a big deal!

  • Short Stories are very hit or miss with me. The ones I do love are older stories. I’ve not found anything newer I can say I liked.

    • The Book Wheel

      I have a collection of George Orwell essays that I’m really looking forward to. I find that I enjoy essay collections more than short stories, but I’m trying to branch out a bit!

      • Wow, he’s a tough one sometimes. I tried to use “Shooting an Elephant” for a seminar with my AP class, but it was difficult not knowing the setting well. And the politics of it.

        • The Book Wheel

          I understand! My BA is in political science, so I love reading about the politics of it all and find him so interesting, but I’ve never read any short stories by him.

  • I have always had a really difficult time with short stories, too, but almost requested this one because it sounded so wonderful and I heard such great things! I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to finish it, though. I think the only collections I’ve been able to enjoy have been David Sedaris’, because they read more like scenes from his life and, like you said, they feel complete.

    I feel like there are so many well reviewed pieces coming out lately, though, that I really need to get over this. I’ve been desperate to read Battleborn, so that may be the one I try.

    • The Book Wheel

      I completely understand. Short stories usually leave me feeling like I missed something, and there were a few of those in this book, as well. But I’m trying to step out of my comfort zone a little bit!

  • Since I started blogging I’ve become a bit more fond of short story collections. In the past I didn’t read them often because I like something longer to sink my teeth into. But now that I have some trusted bloggers in my back pocket I’ve been introduced to some great collections. I’m a little more open minded about short stories now 🙂 In fact, I picked up Karen Russell’s Vampires in the Lemon Grove the other day. I’m looking forward to it!

    • The Book Wheel

      You summed it up perfectly! From the wanting something to sink my teeth into and having trusted bloggers to listen to. I’m looking forward to your review of Vampires… I avoid anything vampires AND short stories, so if it’s good I will definitely hop out of my comfort zone!

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