Transactions in a Foreign Currency.

Henry James said that every writer has their right to their own 'donnee' their own given subject and theme. If one accepts that dictum then Deborah Eisenberg is not to be faulted for supplying us characters who seem singularly unattractive and insubstantial, lost in a flurry of experiences which seem to go nowhere especially. The ironic, intelligent, satiric and often perceptive voice of this writing does not in my mind and heart compensate for characters who in my judgment anyway, do not amount to much. The emotional weight of these stories for me , which I wanted to like very much, is not truly strong . Not only is character lacking but story moving toward some kind of revelation or insight is also. Eisenberg's stories are highly praised by many, and that many may see what I do not . But this work will not go in my own selection of favorite personal story collections.