Eleven Kinds Of Lonliness by Richard Yates

'Cheerful' would be the wrong word to describe this, but then, you probably got that from 'Yates'. He's the Arthur Miller of the novel - profound, enlightening, insightful, addictive and utterly morose.

The most interesting aspect of this book is the way people are lonely without being alone. It's a discussion on the state of loneliness as a function of being misunderstood, or outcast in some way. When you can't see yourself reflected in your community, that's lonely. When you are part in something but not of something, that's lonely. These characters are almost more lonely when they're in company than when they create opportunities to be alone.

Can you be lonely when you're alone? It doesn't feel like it, reading this. In these stories it seems that loneliness is a feeling you can only really have when you're faced with the knowledge that despite being surrounded, you alone will face your past and your future. The act of presence you can enjoy in solitary moments is rarely something you can share.

Another review talks about this quite nicely, too - http://booksauce.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/review-eleven-kinds-of-loneliness/.

There is something incredibly satisfying about a well-crafted short story, and each of these is a delight. The characters, the places and the dialogue is thoroughly enjoyable, so much so, that I've finally picked up The Easter Parade on your recommendation, Nik. Just like the other review above, for me, the last story in the collection felt a little out of keeping with the others. I'm still kind of mulling over whether that one fits in and I certainly didn't enjoy it in the same way. Will report back on the Easter Parade!