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A review by lukenotjohn
The Loss of All Lost Things: Stories by Amina Gautier
3.0
I'm shuffling between 3 and 4 stars for this collection, the third by Gautier (both that she's written and that I've read). Unfortunately, it failed to offer the same captivating charm and resonance as [b:Now We Will Be Happy|21945041|Now We Will Be Happy|Amina Gautier|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403740176s/21945041.jpg|41249137] that I loved so much, but that doesn't mean it's not a striking series of excellently written stories. The premise is interesting, following the lives of characters dealing with various manifestations of loss. While that thematic and narrative focus undeniably binds the otherwise independent (aside from 2) stories together and makes for a compelling enough exploration, I do wonder if straying from the very prevalent losses of romantic relationships and departed loved ones could have offered a bit more energy into the collection as a whole.
Along those lines, some of the ones that stand out most were those that did deviate from those concepts, particularly the two linked stories surrounding the kidnapping ("Lost and Found" and the titular entry, less so "Cicero Waiting" which has a similar premise). "Disturbance" is the most peculiar of them all, intentionally so, and marks the first time Gautier (to my knowledge) has embraced storytelling outside the realm of stark reality. My very favorite was "Navigator of Cultures" which deftly examines an intersection of class and race through the diverging lives of two Black women who overlap in an underresourced neighborhood of Bed-Stuy for a summer before one moves to a wealthier area and follows a life trajectory to suit it. Similar to her first two collections, this one showcased Gautier's ability to depict the realities of urban poverty with dignity and warmth without softening or sugarcoating anything. Interestingly, the majority of the stories here follow characters of considerable wealth, most of whom work in academia.
My critique, as others have pointed out, is the sense of staccato that runs throughout these stories. Characters are often depicted in the throes of passion or grief, yet we're almost always seeing them with undeniable restraint, formality, and at times even stiffness. This worked best when she allowed herself to go dark, exploring the aforementioned kidnappings or the nearly fantastical warring twins inside the narrators womb in "A Cup of My Time." But with so many stories more grounded in ordinary life, even centered around relationships, it would have been nice to offer just one with a bit more light and vitality. It doesn't help that virtually all relationships are fraught with disdain, desperation, or despair; by the end you're just wishing Gautier would relent a little and offer a bit of joy not stained by loss and locked away as a memory. Of course, I could just as easily credit her for committing so totally to her guiding concept, as the reality is "loss" is just about always painful in its ache. Either way, it's inarguable that her technical abilities as a writer are remarkable. Nearly each story is tight, elegant, and evocative, all showcasing a stunning mastery of language that make for an engaging, even engrossing read.
Along those lines, some of the ones that stand out most were those that did deviate from those concepts, particularly the two linked stories surrounding the kidnapping ("Lost and Found" and the titular entry, less so "Cicero Waiting" which has a similar premise). "Disturbance" is the most peculiar of them all, intentionally so, and marks the first time Gautier (to my knowledge) has embraced storytelling outside the realm of stark reality. My very favorite was "Navigator of Cultures" which deftly examines an intersection of class and race through the diverging lives of two Black women who overlap in an underresourced neighborhood of Bed-Stuy for a summer before one moves to a wealthier area and follows a life trajectory to suit it. Similar to her first two collections, this one showcased Gautier's ability to depict the realities of urban poverty with dignity and warmth without softening or sugarcoating anything. Interestingly, the majority of the stories here follow characters of considerable wealth, most of whom work in academia.
My critique, as others have pointed out, is the sense of staccato that runs throughout these stories. Characters are often depicted in the throes of passion or grief, yet we're almost always seeing them with undeniable restraint, formality, and at times even stiffness. This worked best when she allowed herself to go dark, exploring the aforementioned kidnappings or the nearly fantastical warring twins inside the narrators womb in "A Cup of My Time." But with so many stories more grounded in ordinary life, even centered around relationships, it would have been nice to offer just one with a bit more light and vitality. It doesn't help that virtually all relationships are fraught with disdain, desperation, or despair; by the end you're just wishing Gautier would relent a little and offer a bit of joy not stained by loss and locked away as a memory. Of course, I could just as easily credit her for committing so totally to her guiding concept, as the reality is "loss" is just about always painful in its ache. Either way, it's inarguable that her technical abilities as a writer are remarkable. Nearly each story is tight, elegant, and evocative, all showcasing a stunning mastery of language that make for an engaging, even engrossing read.