Edited by Meredith Broussard The Encyclopedia of Exes

The Encyclopedia of Exes

Edited by Meredith Broussard

Three Rivers, Sep 2005, $12.00

ISBN: 1400054230

Moving from the female perspective of why relationships failed (see THE DICTIONARY OF FAILED RELATIONSHIPS), THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EXES provides the male point of view. The twenty six contributions run the gamut, but surprisingly few blame the woman. In fact several of the authors place themselves in the females moccasins and hold themselves culpable; thus the reader sees a fuller view of the relationship and why it fell apart. Many of the entries are poignant and filled with pathos, while others contain nostalgic memories (ignoring the negatives), and even include other types of bi-gender relationships (one for instance showcases a father and daughter struggling with her no longer being his little girl). Still a few inputs come across as inane and shallow. Overall this is a creative collection, mostly filled with strong insightful looks at why we failed; a fine companion to its female counter anthology.

Harriet Klausner