I have a confession – in the past I was not a fan of short stories. They always left me wanting MORE. But recently, I have evolved from a hater to a serious fan. There are so many incredible collections out now that are chock full of absolute bangers. Below, I'm highlighting four stunning short story collections by Asian American women. These tales cover similar ground thematically and explore isolation, vulnerability, toxic relationships, love and longing, technology, dystopian futures, and the weight of familial expectations.
We'll start with Bliss Montage by Ling Ma. Ma's post-apocalyptic novel Severance shot up in popularity during the early days of the pandemic, but this was my first encounter with her gorgeous writing. We start strong with "Los Angeles," where a woman lives with 100 of her ex-boyfriends and a husband that speaks only in dollar signs. Later, in "Peking Duck," a standout in this superlative lineup, a Chinese American writer grapples with issues of appropriation and authenticity. During a competitive writing program, she recounts a demeaning incident between her mother and her wealthy white employer. After the reading, she is taken to task by the only other Asian person in the class for perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Beginning to end, it's a masterclass in metafiction.
Next up, I'm recommending Jewel Box by E. Lily Yu, a former Washington State Book Award winner. These dark, freaky little fairy tales are perfect for fans of Aimee Bender, Karen Russell and Kelly Link. A tech dystopian re-telling of Orpheus and Eurydice, "Music for the Underworld," so thoroughly broke my heart that I had to sit this book down for a full month. Another favorite was "The Lamp at the Turning," a tale about a streetlamp that falls in love with a handsome stranger who walks by. Frankly, the lamp deserved better! Beautifully written and exquisitely sharp, this collection is a box of delights with a razor blade hidden within.
Now I want to draw your attention to a debut by a queer fiction writer and poet, Cleo Qian's Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go. Qian is truly gifted at setting up a story. I felt completely drawn into her powerfully written narratives, steeped in yearning and queer desire. I was particularly haunted by "Power & Control," a tale of an abusive relationship with a witchy twist, told from the perspective of the narcissistic partner. Another memorable saga, "The Girl with the Double Eyelids," follows a girl who starts seeing hidden truths about the adults around her after double eyelid surgery. These deeper observations are literal – actual images imprinted on their bodies.
And finally, I have a fresh new book by an award-winning playwright, Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall. As the cover suggests, this title is zanier than the others and features both sex bots and space travel. The Women! In! Peril! at the center of each story are women in transition. In the funny and emotionally honest "Immaculate Partner," a lesbian woman struggles to support her wife's assertion that she has become pregnant through immaculate conception. "Late Girl" introduces readers to a former dancer with a traumatic brain injury. Suffering from memory loss, she finds herself drawn back into dance and infatuated with her demanding dance instructor. I also adored the very last story, "Our Country Daughter," about a woman navigating a complicated relationship with her teen daughter in a blended family with her ex-wife.
Happy reading! And check out this list, for more short story suggestions to meet your Book Bingo challenge.
For more ideas for books to meet your Summer Book Bingo challenge, follow our Shelf Talk BookBingoNW2024 series or check the hashtag #BookBingoNW2024 on social media. Book Bingo is presented in partnership with Seattle Arts & Lectures.
~ posted by Jennie D.
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