The Condemned: A memoir told through selected early works of short stories, essays, and poetry

by Shari Lopatin

In this special memoir told through a collection of earlier works including fictional short stories, non-fiction essays, and poetry, Shari Lopatin tells the story of her younger self—a millennial coming of age through the 1990s and 2000s while fighting to make sense of a world rapidly changing amidst The Great Recession and September 11. Touching on themes still relevant today, Shari shares deeply emotional pieces from her formative years about mental health, the search for home, the awkwardness of dating, love and heartbreak, and the effects of Antisemitism.

Included in this hand-selected collection are the fictional short stories “Pomegranates” about the power of kindness and connection; “A Call from Paris” about a young marriage falling apart; “Stone from HELL” about the effects of a monstrous society; and the namesake of this book, “The Condemned” about finding self-acceptance. Shari also included other personal essays and poems never before seen.

Ultimately, The Condemned: A memoir told through selected early works of short stories, essays, and poetry reveals one young woman’s struggle to find herself within a confusing and sometimes ostracizing world, and the messages of love, hope, and truth she now brings to others.

97 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2023

About the author

Shari Lopatin writes stories that matter. An award-winning journalist in her earlier years, she now writes novels that tie into modern-day social issues, serialized fiction, short stories, personal and political essays, and poetry. Over the course of her seventeen-plus year career, Shari has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, public relations professional, social media manager, and earned the title of “Cat Mom of the Year.” She published her debut novel, The Apollo Illusion, in 2018 and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she was born and raised. Read more of Shari's work and be the first to learn about new books by signing up for Shari’s newsletter as either a free or paid subscriber: sharilopatin.substack.com.

Reviews

[cloudybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love short-stories, memoirs and poetry, so was delighted to find all three in this book.

This lovely collection starts off with short-story fiction. “A Call from Paris” was my favourite: a married couple reminisce and dream together about a different life over a long-distance call. It’s very evocative and read like one of my own memories.

From the memoir section, I really enjoyed “The Condemned” which depicts the author’s struggle with anti-Semitism from a young age and how she dealt with it. Dark themes of internalized discrimination are explored throughout the section.

In the poetry section, it was great to see the inclusion of a very early poem and its back-story. In general, I find it difficult to review poetry because it’s so personal and full of hidden meaning, how can one judge it? But I have to quote from “Sweet Delirium”:
“It is nothing,
And everything,
Understood,
And confused.”

Overall, I loved the soft nostalgia and tender sadness that flowed throughout. It’s a gentle invitation to get to know the writer and I’m glad I did.

Thank you BookBooks Publishing LLC and NetGalley for providing the ARC.

[Kanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life is a war,
And I am the enemy.
Fighting myself in this never-ending battle,
I will not win not lose.

The Condemned by Shari Lopatin. A memoir told through a mix of short fiction stories, personal essays and a short collection of poetry.

A beautiful book. I went through many 'Shari moments' - joyful, painful, heartwarming, thoughtful, contemplative and also calming. The format of this memoir is interesting.


'Cause after all,
If God discriminates,
What else is there to live for?


A must-read.

[Kira K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was my first introduction to Shari's work and felt so unique. The use of short stories, poetry and personal essays gave an insight into the writer and the way in which they function that traditional memoirs don't tend to achieve. I also liked the technique feeling the underlying loneliness bleeding through some of the works.

Favourite Quote:
"Its amazing how small a family can become."

[Raschelle Mullette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often read memoirs; however, I couldn't pass up The Condemned. I was intrigued by the unique idea of using past short stories, essays, and poems to weave a cohesive story about its author, Shari Lopatin. The emotions that each piece evoked further draw you into her story and give you a peek into her heart and soul. More than that, each raw emotion portrayed reminds you of a similar time in your past that further connects you to the author's story. We have all felt condemned, depressed, outcast, confused, loved, and full of hope; Shari's memoir captures all of it beautifully.

[Rhonda Lomazow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The condemned is a unique beautifully written memoir.A roller coaster ride of short stories,raw revealing essays nothing held back.A memoir you will relate to and an author I will be following.#netgalley #the condemned

[Jessica Milliner · Rating 4 out of 5]

These collections of short stories, essays and poems are well written. Reading them represents something in the author’s life and other things. Thanks to BookBooks Publishing LLC and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review.

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shari Lopatin's captivating short stories, essays, and poetry collection offer a unique memoir experience. The author's remarkable creativity and unique writing style make this a book that profoundly explores her emotions.

Upon delving into its pages, I was immediately captivated by its allure. The author involves the reader in a way that is impossible to put down.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but some titles stood out to me. The first one was "Promegrate," which I described with one word: kindness and loss. She met her neighbour and tragically lost her.

In "The Day God Stole My Computer," an author doesn't know how to seize her dau when she isn't on her computer. The phrase "A blessing in disguise" is perfect for those addicted to computers and forgetting to live. Sadly, we forget that life is short and must live each day as if it were our last.

"Rainy Day" explores the interplay between contrasting emotions, finding beauty and joy in sorrow and connecting to the divine or natural world on a deep level. The poem reflects on the complexity of human emotions and the ability to experience happiness and sadness simultaneously.

In general, it's an empathetic and worthwhile read. Try it out.

I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

What an emotional and captivating collection of stories. The author found a great balance between her fiction and nonfiction works, with each story doing an exemplary job of conveying the raw emotions and pivotal moments that defined her life. The imagery and the heart that the author poured into the story and essays were remarkable, really bringing the reader into these moments and in the case of the fiction work, allowing the reader to embrace the characters outright.

The poetry was also so moving and conveyed the honesty and passion of the author’s writing so eloquently. The quick pace of the book and the variety of the collection gave the author ample opportunity to really connect to a wide range of different readers and gave an intimate look into the author's life in a creative and moving way.

The Verdict

Insightful, thoughtful, and engaging, author Shari Lopatin’s “The Condemned” is a memorable and thought-provoking memoir filled with creativity and heart. The powerful messaging of the stories in this collection brings to life a beautiful and emotional story of triumph in the face of adversity, and the journey to find life and purpose.

[cloudybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love short-stories, memoirs and poetry, so was delighted to find all three in this book.

This lovely collection starts off with short-story fiction. “A Call from Paris” was my favourite: a married couple reminisce and dream together about a different life over a long-distance call. It’s very evocative and read like one of my own memories.

From the memoir section, I really enjoyed “The Condemned” which depicts the author’s struggle with anti-Semitism from a young age and how she dealt with it. Dark themes of internalized discrimination are explored throughout the section.

In the poetry section, it was great to see the inclusion of a very early poem and its back-story. In general, I find it difficult to review poetry because it’s so personal and full of hidden meaning, how can one judge it? But I have to quote from “Sweet Delirium”:
“It is nothing,
And everything,
Understood,
And confused.”

Overall, I loved the soft nostalgia and tender sadness that flowed throughout. It’s a gentle invitation to get to know the writer and I’m glad I did.

Thank you BookBooks Publishing LLC and NetGalley for providing the ARC.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Condemned" by Shari Lopatin is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that explores the complex dynamics of justice and redemption. Lopatin skillfully weaves a tale of a society grappling with moral ambiguity and the consequences of its decisions. Set in a dystopian world where individuals deemed "condemned" face the harsh realities of their actions, the story follows protagonist Elena as she navigates the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Lopatin's narrative is both haunting and evocative, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries of justice are tested. The characters are well-developed, and the author delves into their psyches, unraveling layers of guilt, remorse, and resilience. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they contemplate the ethical dilemmas presented.

"The Condemned" challenges readers to question their own beliefs about justice and redemption, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy thought-provoking dystopian fiction. Lopatin's writing is sharp and poignant, delivering a powerful message about the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of absolution.

[Rachael Maag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shari Lopatin certainly has a gift for story telling. Each short story that she wrote was captivating. Each story seemed to have a different voice and a different theme, which made me eager to continue to read what the next story would bring. This is a book that I could have easily finished in one sitting if I had the time allowed to do that (instead it took me about two days to read instead).

I am not the biggest fan of poetry; however, she does provide vivid imagery in her poems, and they flow very well.

For those that are looking for something quick to read, this is the collection for you!

[Raschelle Mullette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often read memoirs; however, I couldn't pass up The Condemned. I was intrigued by the unique idea of using past short stories, essays, and poems to weave a cohesive story about its author, Shari Lopatin. The emotions that each piece evoked further draw you into her story and give you a peek into her heart and soul. More than that, each raw emotion portrayed reminds you of a similar time in your past that further connects you to the author's story. We have all felt condemned, depressed, outcast, confused, loved, and full of hope; Shari's memoir captures all of it beautifully.

[Squid Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really nice varied collection of short stories, memories and poems. You can see the authors personality coming through and you get to understand her more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Debbie Pyette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book is deeply thoughtful. It is powerful. It brought forth strong emotions. I enjoyed this book tremendously.