In Short Measures: Three Novellas

By Michael Ruhlman

A propulsively well-written trio of novellas linked by a sense of loss and an inquiry into the impossible past.” Kate Christensen

In his three novellas, In Short Measures,” Strong Conspirators,” and Sally Forth,” Michael Ruhlman delves deeply into the nuanced complexity of romantic and sexual loveand the inevitable evolution of the heart over the span of years and decades.

Each novella asks questions about the nature of love in terms of loyalty and fidelitywhat are one’s obligations toward one’s spouse, one’s family, and one’s heart? In the first novella, In Short Measures,” these questions are bound up in a writer’s work and a long-ago love. In the second, Strong Conspirators,” an unforeseen, cataclysmic event calls for responses from a husband and wife that have never been rehearsed because they have never been required nor even imagined. In Sally Forth,” a pair of old friends is forced to explore lost youth and lost love relative to maturity, marriage, and the passage of time.

Profoundly thought-provoking and satisfying, these novellas are beautifully written with plot twists from beginning to end that will captivate the reader.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fictionnovels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
• Release date: Oct 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781510700635

Michael Ruhlman

Michael Ruhlman is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Making of a Chef, The Elements of Cooking and The French Laundry Cookbook. He lives in Cleveland with his wife, daughter, and son and is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and Gourmet.

Reviews for In Short Measures

[cissa_5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Ruhlman's writing, and so was eager to read his fiction!It did not disappoint. All three novellas were engaging in their own ways, but with some consistency of character and pacing that pulled them together. I especially admire the way that, in all 3 novellas, Ruhlman effectively switched between current time and flashbacks; they were very well-timed and paced."In Short Measures", the title novella, was my least favorite. In my opinion, it went on too long. Plus, the female protagonist seemed to have taken the message of "The Giving Tree" way too much to heart; her beloved did not value her the way she did him, and yet she made all kinds of sacrifices on his account. Now, this is something women are encouraged to do... but here, it's not got any irony; she's just smitten and sacrifices. Nonetheless, the pacing is good and the characters very real."Strong Conspirators" is the best here, in my opinion. It's got an edgy and plausible plot, and kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. Again, the pacing was excellent, and the characterizations solid. In some ways it reminded me of a couple of Westlake's novels, like "The Axe" and "The Hook"- but not quite as dark- and that's a huge compliment. Very recommended!"Sally Forth" has probably more appeal to those of us who are aging than to the young'uns. Life has both satisfactions and regrets, and one does not always know everything, even about those we love. Again, the pacing is brilliant and the characters very well-drawn.