Counterparts (short story) Counterparts (short story) "Counterparts" is a short story by James Joyce published in his 1914 collection "Dubliners". The story recounts an evening in the life of a man named Farrington, frequently referred to simply as "the man". Farrington’s difficulties begin at his clerical job when his boss -- whom he addresses as "Mr. Alleyne" -- berates him for not having finished an assignment. Instead of applying himself immediately to the task, the alcoholic Farrington slips out of the office for a quick "g.p." (glass of plain porter). When Alleyne yells at Farrington again, Farrington replies with an impertinent remark and
Choose Me (short story collection) Choose Me (short story collection) Choose Me is a collection of short stories by Canadian writer Evelyn Lau. It was first published by Doubleday Canada in 1999. "Family" is about a woman who is sleeping with a married man. She stays as a visitor in his house while he and his wife are away, and goes through their things. While the primary theme of the story is sex, "Choose Me" has surprised readers with its "unflattering, often harsh, depictions of old men's bodies from the perspective of their young female lovers." The other themes of the story are lust, loneliness,