Rachel B. Glaser's books include the short story collection Pee On Water and the novel Paulina and Fran. One of her top ten failed romances in fiction, as shared at the Guardian:Lucinella by Lore SegalRead about the other entries on the list.
This meta-novella is a love letter to writing. Early on, the protagonist, Lucinella, meets a poet, but finds him lacking: “What I cannot forgive is the meagerness of the back of William’s neck.” My favourite aspect of this book is that Segal creates older and younger versions of Lucinella and puts them in scenes with Lucinella. So Lucinella must watch William flirt with young Lucinella, and Lucinella must see her future observing old Lucinella. Segal’s wild narration explores disappointment and ambivalence in love in frank, charming, and innovative ways, such as Lucinella watching her ex mourn her from the grave.
--Marshal Zeringue
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