This would have been an easy 4, or maybe even 5 stars for me had it felt a bit more cohesive and even. Some stories are definitely incredible and those contrast with some others where the characters or voice or premise felt tacked on or less substantial. When it’s at its best this is rooted so well thematically and with vivid concrete details that communicate so much, so well.

The problem with short story collections is that for me to get the same enjoyment I need a solid through line and quality, which is just hard to do when it’s so many different stories of varying goals. Plenty would be strong decoupled from this format and those strongest ones, I feel, would drive the intent of the book much better without the extra weight.