1988 was the year 'Bad Behavior' shocked readers with its psychological depth, though it feels timeless now. I recently compared first editions and noticed how the original cover art perfectly captures the collection’s mood - that grainy photograph of a woman’s back turned toward the viewer. Gaitskill was writing against the glossy 80s fantasy, exposing relationships as power struggles long before it became commonplace in fiction.
The publication year matters because these stories predate third-wave feminism’s complexities. They show desire as both weapon and wound, especially in 'Secretary,' which later inspired a film. If 'Bad Behavior' resonates with you, seek out 'Dietland' by Sarai Walker for a contemporary take on female rage and societal expectations.
I remember digging through Mary Gaitskill's bibliography last year and stumbling upon 'Bad Behavior'. This raw, visceral short story collection first hit shelves in 1988, capturing the gritty underbelly of New York with unflinching honesty. What fascinates me is how its publication year aligns with the tail end of the decadent 80s - the stories feel like they’re dissecting that era’s moral hangover. The book gained cult status slowly, becoming a touchstone for writers exploring complex female sexuality. If you enjoy Gaitskill’s razor-sharp prose, check out 'Veronica', her later novel that expands on similar themes of alienation and desire.
I can confirm 'Bad Behavior' debuted in 1988 through Poseidon Press. This was Gaitskill’s explosive entry into the literary scene, arriving just before the AIDS crisis peaked and the culture shifted toward greater caution. The collection’s timing was crucial - its stories about sex workers, addicts, and outsiders documented a vanishing New York that would soon be sanitized by gentrification.
What many don’t realize is how the initial print run was modest. Its reputation grew through word of mouth among downtown artists and writers who saw themselves reflected in Gaitskill’s brutal honesty. The 1988 publication places it alongside Denis Johnson’s 'Jesus’ Son' as a defining work of American transgressive fiction. For readers who connect with this style, I’d suggest diving into 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' by Hubert Selby Jr., another unflinching portrait of urban despair from an earlier generation.
2025-06-20 12:22:05
10
View All Answers
Scan code to download App
Related Books
Entangled With The Bad Boy
MAY LUNA
10
30.3K
Ava Whitmore is the perfect good girl. She follows the rules, stays out of trouble and completely off-limits to boys like Kai Cooper.
Kai Cooper? Tattooed. Reckless. He’s the walking red flag she was never meant to talk to. The bad boy who lived just one fence away, the one she's spent her life avoiding.
Until that night happened. One step over the line she swore she’d never cross. With a broken heart and a body begging to be touched, she walks straight into the hands that know exactly how to wreck girls like her.
She knows he is all shades of wrong. That he'll break her, wreck her, leave her begging for more. But she’s already crossed the line. Worst of all? She wants more. She craves more of everything she shouldn't want.
Claire Lions has three rules: work hard, stay out of drama, and never, ever trust Andy Stephenson.
For as long as she can remember, Andy has been the definition of trouble; loud, cocky, and always getting under her skin. She’s spent years avoiding him, convinced she knows exactly who he is. But when they’re thrown together on a project neither of them can escape, Claire starts to realize the boy she thought she hated might not be the villain she made him out to be.
Sparks fly, tempers flare, and somewhere between insults and accidental confessions, Claire begins to wonder if the real danger isn’t working with Andy, it’s falling for him.
Tempting The Bad Boy is a fiery, irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance about grudges that burn and chemistry that refuses to be ignored.
If you are going to be BAD, then you have to do it the BAD way...
It's pretty simple:
1) Don't get caught
2) Always have a Plan B
3) If all else fails... Run...Run for your life!
Everyone has a bad side. Some try to deny it's existence, some hide it and others well...they rule the world with it.
In the book of being BAD, there are ninety-nine formulas for world domination...
Number one: You aren't BAD until you can walk around the school dressed in all pink and have everyone afraid to approach you.
Number two: You aren't BAD until you can break into a certain bad boys house and well... do the wrong kinds of stuff.
Number three: You aren't bad until quite
frankly, you have declared vengeance against the bad boy.
~*~
"I heard you like bad boys," Blade says with a vivid smirk on his face.
I glared up at him, without responding clenching my fists fighting the urge to punch him in the face.
"So...?" He says after a couple of seconds of silence.
"So what?"
"So what do you think...Tinker Bell?" He says emphasizing on the stupid name.
His face moved closer to mine and I stared back into his green eyes, watching the fire inside ignite.
I smirked, "Then find me one."
Blade grins at my witty retort and shrugs it off.
"I look at you and I see cotton candy, but then you open your mouth... and suddenly you turn into liquorice," he scoffs.
"Welcome to the game bitch, your move, now let's play."
Warning : mature sexual
contents, read at your own risk.
"Where are you going? " his deep morning voice rumbled.
There goes my plan for a quiet escape.
My throat clogged up tight, I couldn't face him...
I didn't want to
Those intense orbs made me squirm internally, my state of undress not helping the situation.
I swallowed hard and met his gaze squarely.
"last night was a ..mistake ..a lustful fling .... It's over, you should leave " I said tonelessly, my face void of any of the emotions I felt inside.
How he moved so swiftly I didn't know, but next I was pressed against his naked hard chest.
"Is that what you think? "
I didn't want to look into his gaze, but his voice compelled me to.
"That's exactly what it is " I repeated.
I followed the trail of his gaze down to his belt which lay carelessly the floor.
The one he had used on me , in many ways so dirty and sinful.
The corners of his lips twitched in a smirk that made my heart leaped at a furious pace.
"You are so wrong about that, i'll fucking show you just how much! " he growled, grabbing a fist of my air, he feasted on my lips.
It was supposed to be just one night, I was supposed to leave before he awoke.
So how did one passionate night lead to such a consuming obsession that threatened to scorch me and scald me until there was nothing left.
Find out in the story of Mel and Sebastian (this is a sequel to the bully's obsession) I recommend you read book one before this for better understanding.
Nate Wolf is a loner and your typical High School bad boy. He is territorial and likes to keep to himself. He leaves people alone as long as they keep their distance from him. His power of intimidation worked on everyone except for one person, Amelia Martinez. The annoying new student who was the bane of his existence. She broke his rule and won't leave him alone no matter how much he tried and eventually they became friends.As their friendship blossomed Nate felt a certain attraction towards Amelia but he was too afraid to express his feelings to her. Then one day, he found out Amelia was hiding a tragic secret underneath her cheerful mask. At that moment, Nate realized Amelia was the only person who could make him happy. Conflicted between his true feelings for her and battling his own personal demons, Nate decided to do anything to save this beautiful, sweet, and somewhat annoying girl who brightened up his life and made him feel whole again.Find my interview with Goodnovel: https://tinyurl.com/yxmz84q2
One night of unbridled passion changed his life forever. Now years later he's back to claim his woman and take back everything that's his.BAD Boy is created by Jordan Silver, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.
nope, there's no movie adaptation yet. The book's gritty, raw vibe would make for an intense film though—imagine the chaotic energy of its dysfunctional characters on screen. While waiting, check out 'Young Adult' (2011) with Charlize Theron; it captures similar messy protagonist energy. The author’s other works haven’t hit Hollywood either, which is surprising given how viral her writing gets. If you love dark humor and moral ambiguity, try 'I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore'—it’s a Netflix film that feels like it shares DNA with 'Bad Behavior.'
I just finished binge-reading 'Bad Behavior' last week and can confirm it has 24 chapters. The pacing feels perfect - not too rushed, not too dragged out. Each chapter builds tension beautifully, especially around the main couple's fiery dynamic. The chapter lengths vary, with some being quick 3-page bursts during action scenes, while the emotional confrontations span 10+ pages. What surprised me was how the author uses chapter breaks - cutting mid-conversation sometimes to keep you hooked. If you're into enemies-to-lovers with bite, this structure really amplifies the chemistry. For similar tightly-plotted romance, try 'Hate to Love You' which has 30 chapters but same addictive energy.
I just grabbed 'Bad Behavior' last week and found it on Amazon—super quick delivery and the paperback was in perfect condition. The ebook version is also available there if you prefer digital. Barnes & Noble’s website has it too, often with discounts for members. For indie book lovers, Bookshop.org supports local stores while shipping straight to your door. If you’re into audiobooks, Audible has a crisp narration that really captures the book’s edgy vibe. Check the publisher’s site directly too; sometimes they offer signed copies or exclusive editions you won’t find elsewhere.