The Virginity of Famous Men: Stories

The thirteen stories in this collection introduce us to characters at sea in uncertain, often unsavory cultural environments. In “Beach Vacation,” a mother is driven to the point of no return by her teenage son’s behavior. In “The Couplehood Jubilee,” a woman bitter over the amount of money she’s spent on her friends’ weddings over the years concocts a plan to get her share of the pie. In “Older Sister,” the surprise appearance of a half-sister brings disappointment when her advice proves off the mark. And in “The New, All-True CV,” a hopeful job applicant takes “honesty is the best policy” to new extremes.

Throughout the collection, Sneed’s characters find themselves facing decisions that promise to disrupt, derail, or otherwise affect their lives in ways all but guaranteed to be difficult and heartbreaking. Yet, time and again, the characters make the choice they know to be the wrong one–going on the trip instead of canceling, falling for the young girl with obviously ulterior motives, pursuing the illicit flirtation. The urge to take these characters by the throats and shout, “What are you thinking?” is at the heart of what makes this collection so compelling.