We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
Full episode
587: The Perils of Intimacy
Act Four

Break It Down

  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
  • Transcript

A short story by Lydia Davis about trying to calculate the cost of a love affair. The story is read by actor Matt Malloy. (12 minutes)

Lydia’s new book of collected essays is called Essays One.

Song:

“Lady, You Shot Me” by Har Mar Superstar

More in Love

View all
794: So Close and Yet So Far
Mar. 24, 2023

Act One: Love and Other Exports

How much can you trust whether somebody who you think is close to you really is close to you? Saidu Tejan-Thomas Jr.’s been thinking about that question since a recent visit with some of his childhood friends in Sierra Leone. (37 minutes)
791: Math or Magic?
Feb. 10, 2023

Act Three: He’s All That

Calvin is an 11 year old who is learning what love is all about, the hard way. (7 minutes)
791: Math or Magic?
Feb. 10, 2023

Act Four: How To Leave a Guy in 10 Days

Writer Marie Phillips believes that magic is not just reserved for the beginning of a relationship.

Staff Recommendations

View all
562
July 31, 2015

The Problem We All Live With - Part One

There’s one thing that has been proven to cut the achievement gap between black and white students by half: integration.

563
Aug. 7, 2015

The Problem We All Live With - Part Two

A city goes all out to integrate its schools.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email