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The New Yorker: The Dinner Party
by Joshua Ferris

“I can predict everything that will happen from the moment they arrive to the little kiss on the cheek goodbye and I just can’t goddam do it.”

Image from the New Yorker's featured short story "The Dinner Party" by Joshua Ferris

We’ve all been here before. The Dinner Party by Joshua Ferris summarizes these awkward and well, boring moments we all endure for the sake of friendships. The story leaves us wondering are these friendships worth the time spent being uncomfortable?

The joy of fake friendships

So you ask yourself, Why do I hang out with these people if I don’t even like them? Really how many of us have taken enough introspection to consider this thought. We are surrounded every day by far more interesting people accomplishing amazing feats, but it seems we tend to flock with the predictable. Is it because it’s safe? Are we just as trivial?

Or is it something more?

If you say you have never talked about someone behind their back, you’re full of shit. The Dinner Party points out one of humankind’s biggest flaws. Gossip.

“And then they leave and we talk about them and they hit the streets and talk about us.”

Why do we gossip?

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Our need to base our own existence on others. The characters are assuming they are more entertaining than the coming visitors based on the predictability of the night they will spend together; however, they dismiss the fact that they do not veer away from the conventional evening. They only imagine doing so,

“Well, O.K.,” she said. “When that happens, why don’t you suggest they have an abortion?”

He chewed his ice and nodded. “That would shake things up,” he said, “wouldn’t it?”

“Tell them we can do it right here with a little Veuve Clicquot and one of the bedroom hangers.”

“Delightful,” he said. “I’m in.”

The truth is, they would probably be completely intimidated if they were amongst a livelier crowd.

Binary existence

In the end the point stands that our existence is based on the existence of others. The time we have here and the choices we make are founded in this and only the few who step away from comfort have a new tool of comparison. In essence you are only as bored as you are boring.

So read the story and ask yourself, Would I buy the stroller if I had a baby?

About the Reviewer
Katie Cummings has been writing and editing for several years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Oregon University in 2005 with an emphasis in creative writing. She has worked as editor of the West Wind Review and actively runs a creative writing group online.

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