Reviews

The Best American Short Stories 2021 by Heidi Pitlor, Jesmyn Ward

eileen_critchley's review

emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Many of these stories feel autobiographical in nature; reading the authors' notes at the back of the book (an inclusion I always appreciate in this anthology) reveals that is indeed often the case. Write what you know I guess.

My favorite story was not autobiographical- Clementine, Carmelita, Dog by David Means. I enjoyed many of these stories though- Miracle Girl by Rita Chang-Eppig, Paradise by Yxta Maya Murray, The Last Days of Rodney by Tracey Rose Peyton, Haguillory by Stephanie Soileau, You Are My Dear Friend by Madhuri Vijay, and Biology by Kevin Wilson (probably my second favorite after Clementine

Now onto the 2022 collection..

{owned, Paperback}

abrswf's review against another edition

4.0

These stories range from good to superb. I was especially taken with George Saunders' epistolary piece.

2000s's review

Read like halfway through but I got bored sorry HAHAHAHA

thedreamertrilogy's review

5.0

they’re definitely called the Best for a reason

favorite was “Biology” by Kevin Wilson

audreymetcalf's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

janefair's review

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

erinblue's review

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

booknerdbetty's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

4.25

cosmiccloudbird's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

ninij's review

informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0