From grief and desire to political upheaval, these collections capture the essence of being alive and human.
In a year filled with remarkable novels, it’s easy to overlook the power of short story collections. However, these compact yet potent works have the ability to pack a punch, leaving a lasting impact long after the final page is turned. The best collections of the year offer a return to form for some of the greatest writers of our time, delving into themes of heartbreak, longing, estrangement, fear, desire, and political turmoil. Whether told through myth, folklore, or everyday realism, these stories capture the essence of what it means to be alive and human. Here are Electric Literature’s top four short story collections of the year, along with other notable favorites.
Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang:
In “Tomb Sweeping,” Alexandra Chang masterfully unravels the heartaches, deferred dreams, and desires of characters living across Asia and the United States. Through fifteen stories, readers are introduced to mediums, disoriented housesitters, doppelgängers, and unsatisfied marketing directors, among others. Chang’s incisive writing captures the grief that permeates these communities and explores the idea of transformation without necessarily becoming better beings. The collection offers a poignant exploration of the constant state of transition that defines our lives.
White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly Link:
Kelly Link, a master of illusion, weaves reality and surreality together in “White Cat, Black Dog.” Drawing inspiration from various fairy tales, Link reinvents these stories with contemporary twists and layers of psychological depth. The characters in these tales desire, love, and betray, making their emotions painfully relatable. With wit and startling creativity, Link takes readers on a journey that feels familiar yet leads to entirely new territory.
Wednesday’s Child by Yiyun Li:
Yiyun Li’s “Wednesday’s Child” is a collection of tender and introspective stories that explore loss and grief. Through characters who grapple with the death of loved ones, Li delves into the depths of human emotion without becoming overly sentimental. The stories in this collection are written with Li’s trademark compassion and observant eye, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of the human experience.
Witness by Jamel Brinkley:
Set in New York City, Jamel Brinkley’s “Witness” features a diverse range of characters, including children, UPS workers, grandparents, and even ghosts. In each story, Brinkley explores the weight that comes with truly perceiving one another and the depths of human connections. With sharp prose and beautiful storytelling, this collection turns readers into witnesses of the characters’ lives and experiences.
Conclusion:
The year’s best short story collections have proven that big ideas can come in small packages. From Alexandra Chang’s exploration of grief and transformation in “Tomb Sweeping” to Kelly Link’s reinvention of fairy tales in “White Cat, Black Dog,” these collections offer a diverse range of perspectives on what it means to be alive and human. Yiyun Li’s tender and introspective stories in “Wednesday’s Child” and Jamel Brinkley’s exploration of human connections in “Witness” further exemplify the power of the short story form. These collections, along with other notable favorites, remind us that great literature can be found in the smallest of spaces.
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