Skip to content

Because They Wanted to: Stories
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Because They Wanted to: Stories Paperback - 1998

by Mary Gaitskill

In stories set on airplanes, in restaurants, at parties, and in assorted bedrooms, the bestselling author of "Bad Behavior" entices readers to "listen in" on characters whom they may not want to know--but whose secrets are irresistibly intriguing.


Summary

A New York Times Notable Book

A man tells a story to a woman sitting beside him on a plane, little suspecting what it reveals about his capacity for cruelty and contempt. A callow runaway girl is stranded in a strange city with another womanâÈçs fractiously needy children. An uncomprehending father helplessly lashes out at the daughter he both loves and resents. In these raw, startling, and incandescently lovely stories, the author of Veronica yields twelve indelible portraits of people struggling with the disparity between what they want and what they know. Because They Wanted To is further evidence that Gaitskill is one of the fiercest, funniest, and most subversively compassionate writers at work today.

First line

He lay in his reclining chair, barely awake enough to feel the dream moving just under his thoughts.

Details

  • Title Because They Wanted to: Stories
  • Author Mary Gaitskill
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition 1st Scribner Pap
  • Pages 256
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Simon & Schuster, New York, NY, U.S.A.
  • Date 1998-02-27
  • ISBN 9780684841441 / 0684841444
  • Weight 0.49 lbs (0.22 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.94 x 5.34 x 0.55 in (20.17 x 13.56 x 1.40 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Short stories
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 96046337
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

Citations

  • New York Times, 03/08/1998, Page 28
  • New Yorker (The), 11/09/2015, Page 78

About the author

Mary Gaitskill's novel, Veronica, was nominated for a 2005 National Book Award and was one of The New York Times's 10 Best Books of 2005. She is also the author of the acclaimed novels Because They Wanted To and Two Girls, Fat and Thin. Her stories and essays have appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine, Esquire, The Best American Short Stories (1993), and The O. Henry Prize Stories (1998). Her short story "Secretary" was the basis for the film of the same name. She lives in New York.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Because They Wanted to: Stories
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Because They Wanted to: Stories

by Gaitskill, Mary

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Annandale, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 4.08
SGD 5.44 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Fast shipping and order satisfaction guaranteed. A portion of your purchase benefits Non-Profit Organizations, First Aid and Fire Stations!
Item Price
SGD 4.08
SGD 5.44 shipping to USA
Because They Wanted to: Stories
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Because They Wanted to: Stories

by Gaitskill, Mary

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Simi Valley, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 4.79
SGD 5.44 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster, 1998-02-27. Paperback. Good. 0.7000 8.0000 5.1000.
Item Price
SGD 4.79
SGD 5.44 shipping to USA
Because They Wanted to: Stories
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Because They Wanted to: Stories

by Gaitskill, Mary

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 7.08
SGD 5.44 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Item Price
SGD 7.08
SGD 5.44 shipping to USA
Because They Wanted to: Stories
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Because They Wanted to: Stories

by Gaitskill, Mary

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.20
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster, 1998. Paperback. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
SGD 8.20
FREE shipping to USA
Because They Wanted to: Stories

Because They Wanted to: Stories

by Gaitskill, Mary

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.20
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster, 1998. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
SGD 8.20
FREE shipping to USA
Because They Wanted to: Stories

Because They Wanted to: Stories

by Gaitskill, Mary

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.20
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster, 1998. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
SGD 8.20
FREE shipping to USA
Because They Wanted To : Stories

Because They Wanted To : Stories

by Mary Gaitskill

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.20
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster, 1998. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. An ex-library book and may have standard library stamps and/or stickers. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
SGD 8.20
FREE shipping to USA
Because They Wanted to: Stories

Because They Wanted to: Stories

by Gaitskill, Mary

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
7
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.22
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster, 1998. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
SGD 8.22
FREE shipping to USA
Because They Wanted To : Stories
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Because They Wanted To : Stories

by Gaitskill, Mary

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
5
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 9.67
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
SGD 9.67
FREE shipping to USA
Because They Wanted to: Stories
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Because They Wanted to: Stories

by Mary Gaitskill

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684841441 / 0684841444
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 10.26
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Simon & Schuster, 1998-02-27. Paperback. Good.
Item Price
SGD 10.26
FREE shipping to USA