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Safety of Objects [Paperback]


3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

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Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
Elaine takes the boys to Florida and drops them off like they're dry cleaning. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful imagery, intensely psychological Jun 28 2004
Format:Paperback
I purchased this after watching the beautiful, artful movie adaptation of this collection of short stories. What surprised me most when reading "The Safety of Objects" was how the movie so deftly combined the stories into one coherent drama, using the haunting imagery and psychological trauma interwoven throughout what seems on the surface to be a very disparate group of stories. I liked this book, although I am not sure if I would have liked it quite as much had I not seen the movie beforehand? But, the book has its merits. It rips the roof off of the suburban houses & shows the disillusionment and pathos within, and in this regard, goes down well-worn paths, but the author provides provocative scenes & memorable, highly believable characters along the way.
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Format:Paperback
A.M. Homes has painted a dark and bizarre picture of suburbia, knocking down that whole fantasy of how the suburbs are pure and clean. She has put together a twisted collection of stories that are subtle, outrageous and downright disturbing. This is not an easy read for those who have weak stomachs or are extremely sensitive. However, if you're looking for something a little more darker and sinister, "The Safety of Objects" just might be the thing for you.

When you think of "suburbia," you think of somewhere that is safe, quiet, boring and normal. These stories take place in a neighborhood that could very well resemble somewhere where YOU live. The truth is that this "normal" neighborhood is contaminated with bizarre behavior and unbelievable stories. There's the couple who decide to do drugs when their kids are away from home. There's the kid who was abducted by a kidnapper, only to end up being a big disappointment to the abductor. There's the mother with the son that is in a coma after a car accident, and she doesn't know what should be done. And let's not forget about the little boy who has an extreme obsession with his sister's Barbie doll. These are only some of the stories you will uncover in this unrelenting and unapologetic read.

Homes has a great way of getting straight to the point without using any extra or unnecessary words. Her writing reminds me a little of Raymond Carver, only more twisted and graphic. She's able to create some very interesting and creepy characters without having to give you their complete life story. While there are some stories that I like more than others, I found myself enjoying the entire book. Just when I thought I had read some pretty twisted and disturbing stuff, I started to realize that I hadn't seen nothing yet after I started reading this book.

I cannot stress this enough; this is NOT recommended for those who are extremely sensitive and get offended easily. These stories are dark, graphic and unforgiving. Some stories aren't as extreme as others while there are some that'll make you feel downright guilty for reading. I had a hard time reading some of these stories, but A.M. Homes' craft is done so well that you can't help but continue reading. People who like Chuck Palahniuk are bound to get a kick out of these stories. My favorite stories in this collection are "Looking for Johnny," "Jim Train," "The Bullet Catcher," "Esther in the Night," and everyone's favorite cult classic, "A Real Doll," which is the funniest and most deranged story in the entire collection.

"The Safety of Objects" is a humorous and chilling read that you will have a hard time forgetting. It's great to see something that is supposed to be viewed as innocent such as "suburbia," and see it transformed into something much more sinister and terrifying. If you're a fan of the short story and aren't afraid to venture into some of the darkest and tragic corners of fiction, then this is something you should consider picking up. I will never forget these stories. They are forever imprinted into my brain. -Michael Crane

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1.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational! Mar 11 2004
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
It's like the literary equivalent of someone asking you to smell their finger. Now I know I'm not alone in putting dolls' heads where they don't belong. Truly cathartic.
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Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!
It's like the literary equivalent of someone asking you to smell their finger. Now I know I'm not alone in putting doll's heads where they don't belong. Truly cathartic.
Published on Mar 11 2004
1.0 out of 5 stars Awful Writing, The Worst Book I've Ever Read
Does A.M. Homes really have an English degree? She should have payed closer attention in class. This is the worst book I have ever read--and I read a lot. Read more
Published on Mar 10 2004 by "nm-3"
5.0 out of 5 stars Not Mr. Rogers' neighborhood
The thing to love about this disturbing collection of short stories is their ability to reach deep down into the churning gut of suburbia and pluck out the darkest desires, fears,... Read more
Published on Feb 17 2004 by Jessica Ferguson
5.0 out of 5 stars Slice of Life
This is a very interesting collection of short stories by A.M. Homes which was published in 1990. In 2001, the book was turned into a movie. Read more
Published on Jan 4 2004 by Jake Z
4.0 out of 5 stars catatonic reading
this book are one of those that make me feel numb after reading them. A.M. Homes came to me as such a revelation since i haven't encountered any of her works before. Read more
Published on Nov 21 2003 by b.n. agsimula
3.0 out of 5 stars Anything But Safe
An earlier reviewer said that reading A.M. Homes was like discovering a dead animal at the edge of a children's playground. I couldn't agree more. Read more
Published on Sep 3 2003 by bharring
5.0 out of 5 stars Not for Children or Morons
It would be comfortable and convenient to say Amy Homes is mentally ill but I doubt it. This is a very good book by an amazing writer who can see past the facades we all put up... Read more
Published on April 25 2003 by Fletcher
5.0 out of 5 stars A book junkie in Florida
A.M. Home's Safety of Objects, is disturbing, and yet has you begging for more. These short stories are like not like any others you've read. Bravo to Ms. Read more
Published on Jan 30 2003
2.0 out of 5 stars interesting but anticlimatic
This collection of short stories had a lot of interesting story-lines, but each were anti-climatic. The stories either just end with no resolution or never never come to a peak at... Read more
Published on Dec 27 2002 by Ja'Maul Redmond
5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting
Beautiful and arresting, the stories in this collection look at the world sideways and from that vantage point show us much that we try to repress. Ms. Read more
Published on Nov 28 2002 by EntreEspadayHospital
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