Good Trouble

Good Trouble collects eleven short stories that examine contemporary life through characters facing moral dilemmas and personal conflicts. The stories take place across settings like New York City, Dubai, and New England. The narratives focus on privileged professionals - lawyers, academics, writers - who encounter disruptions to their ordered lives. Characters grapple with online dating, jury duty, real estate, marriage troubles, and career disappointments. O'Neill writes with precision about social behavior and the gap between people's principles and actions. The collection explores themes of isolation in modern society, self-deception, and the complexities of trying to live an ethical life in a compromised world.

Readers note O'Neill's sharp observations of modern life and social dynamics, particularly in New York City. Many connect with his portrayal of characters navigating awkward situations and moral uncertainties. Positive reviews highlight: - Precise, controlled writing style - Dark humor throughout stories - Commentary on technology and social media - Complex character psychology Common criticisms: - Stories feel distant and cold - Characters come across as privileged and unlikeable - Endings lack resolution - Plots move slowly with minimal action From one reader: "He captures the peculiar anxieties of educated urbanites trying to do the right thing." Another notes: "Too many stories about wealthy Manhattan intellectuals having existential crises." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (386 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (41 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (28 ratings) The collection receives consistent mid-range ratings across platforms, with readers split on whether O'Neill's analytical style enhances or detracts from the emotional impact.

The Friend by Sigrid Nunez A meditation on loss, writing, and urban life follows a woman processing grief through her relationship with an inherited Great Dane in New York City.

Less by Andrew Sean Greer A writer travels the world to avoid attending his ex-boyfriend's wedding while confronting his own place in the literary landscape.

The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P by Adelle Waldman A Brooklyn writer navigates relationships and literary success in a portrait of contemporary intellectual life.

The Topeka School by Ben Lerner A family's story unfolds against the backdrop of debate tournaments and political shifts in the American Midwest.

What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell An American teacher in Bulgaria grapples with desire and identity through his complex relationship with a young man he meets in a public bathroom.

🔖 "Good Trouble" is a collection of eleven short stories that explore the anxieties and moral complexities of contemporary life in the post-9/11 era. 🖋️ Author Joseph O'Neill is also known for his novel "Netherland," which won the PEN/Faulkner Award and was praised by President Barack Obama as one of his favorite books. 🌍 O'Neill was born in Cork, Ireland, grew up in the Netherlands, and now lives in New York City - a multicultural background that influences the global perspective in his writing. 📚 The stories in "Good Trouble" frequently feature characters who are caught between their principles and their practical needs, often leading to darkly comic situations. 🏆 The collection received widespread critical acclaim, with The New York Times noting its "surgical precision" in dissecting modern social dynamics and personal relationships.