Teething and Other Tales From the American Dystopia

by Stephen Nothum

Debut author Stephen Nothum delivers a twisted and honest collection of short stories that places America in front of a black mirror.

Teething and Other Tales from the American Dystopia introduces readers to a strange but familiar world where AI remnants of the deceased post online for eternity, school shooters are All-American heroes, Meme Cults run havoc across the country, and people everywhere slaughter their own livestock at slaughter gyms. Other stories explore the most essential interpersonal elements of American life: a mother trapped forever in her daughter's 9th birthday party, a man plagued by the reality that his family needs to kill him, and an irresistibly lovable neighbor whose identity is a lie.

Insightful and raw, Nothum's black humor forces readers to ask the same questions asked by one story's protagonist: is America getting worse, or is it only becoming clearer what America has always been? Is dystopia the future, or are we already there?

Genres: Fiction

263 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2023

About the author

Stephen Nothum is a fiction writer and learning designer based in Eugene, Oregon. Stephen's work focuses on themes of pop culture, education, perceptions, mental health, social issues, and the concept of reality.

His writing has been featured in HASH Journal, The Bookends Review, Utah English Journal, and Zoetic Press. Stephen has presented at conferences at both state and national levels on writing, writing education, and reading.

His debut short story collection, Teething and Other Tales from the American Dystopia, will be released on December 5th, 2023.

Reviews

[Helen Kao · Rating 5 out of 5]

normally i hate when books leave me confused but i actually thought this one was amazing. every story is so thoughtfully crafted and i wonder how people come up with such creative ideas for writing. my favorite stories were the first and last ones (“the electronic remnants of louis t. trippets” and “fixing a hole”) but genuinely every story was SO enjoyable and just the right amount of disturbing and thought provoking. so perfectly executed

[Adia Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the macabre of this read, a strange and wholly satisfying short story dystopian that focuses on niche yet horrifyingly relevant topics of our current American culture. If you like a read that feels like bugs under your skin, this is the book for you.

[Kadyn Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute masterpiece

[Brittany Nothum · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! I thoroughly enjoyed every story in this book. My most favorite was The Old Man Goes Home. So many emotions throughout this story. Stephen Nothum is such a talented story teller. You will not be disappointed! I look forward to the next one!

[Tom Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Nothum's Teething and other Tales from the American Dystopia is a strong collection of tales from the debut author. The fifteen short stories cover a number of different topics ranging from the tried and true dystopian/sci-fi subjects (time travel, trans-humanism, incarceration, and the increasing role of technology in society) to a few that are less familiar for the genre, such as poverty and the nature of art. Regarding the latter, the story May I Use Your Name? is probably my favorite, and it's already made a place in my mind. Fixing a Hole, the final and longest tale of the bunch, is a rather unique spin on one of the classics, and was a very fun read.

There is wit and a humane thoughtfulness to Nothum's writing which acts as a welcome counterbalance to the sometimes unsettling or even macabre subject matter to some of the tales. A few of the tales felt a little flat for me, but I've been in something of a reading slump for a long time now, and it was nice to pick something up that piqued my curiosity and left me wanting more. It will be interesting to see where Nothum goes from here, since, as is stated in the book's About The Author section, “Teething... is Stephen's first book publication, but it will not be his last.” Sounds like good news to me. I give the book a solid 7.5/10.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was the oddest and strangest collection of shirt stories. they were SO fun. i enjoyed some more than others but they were so creative and disturbing i really enjoyed this collection

[Kyle Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a devoted fan of Stephen's work, I've been particularly captivated by his short stories for years. The sheer breadth of topics, characters, and situations he masterfully weaves together never ceases to ignite my imagination and curiosity. What sets Stephen apart is his unique ability to straddle the line between the ordinary and the extraordinary, creating narratives that are both intriguing, thought-provoking, and sometimes, just downright weird - I can’t get enough of it!

From the very first story, "The Electronic Remnants of Louis T. Trippets," I was utterly engrossed, to the point where I couldn't resist sharing it aloud with my partner the moment I finished it. It took the question of what will your legacy be, sprinkled in AI, and flipped it entirely on its head - equal parts disturbing and fascinating. The collection's impeccable pacing is a testament to Stephen's storytelling prowess. Just as the dystopian themes begin to feel almost uncomfortably real and weighty, he deftly introduces a tale like "Stump Outside 7-Eleven" – an oddity so brilliantly conceived that it leaves you marveling at the sheer inventiveness.

This balancing act is Stephen's forte, and it's what truly elevates this collection above the mundane. Each story has left me pondering long after I’ve turned the final page. "Teething" is a standout compilation that showcases Stephen's exceptional talent in crafting narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a literary experience that transcends the ordinary.

[Ben MacArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best kinds of stories are true stories—what actually happened is less important. When the reader believes in the story, when they become part of the tale, then it’s a true story. The stories “And the Old Man Goes Home” and “The Electronic Remnants of Louis T. Trippets” are as true as it gets. The author’s honesty is unrestrained, and satisfyingly relatable. Readers will quickly wonder if there are real-life inspirations to the characters, and just as quickly, go right back to reading more. The stories are full of people we have never met but know, sometimes vividly. They also carry truths that readers will recognize, like in “All-American Shooting Star” and “Banana Cigarette.” In “The Best Sort of Neighbor,” we must ask ourselves the hardest question: am I the problem?

Amongst the many thinkers, the author does well in keeping things light. “Ouro de Tolo” puts an entertaining spin on the theoretical fallout of a partygoer’s “true story.” “Stump Outside 7-Eleven” takes you to Mars, Heaven, and back again, with plenty of laughs in between. The author’s poignant emotion, creative commentary, and fun dialogue makes Teething a worthwhile experience for all.
. . .
(For lazy readers who skip to the end)
In short, I loved it, and I believe you will too.

[Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Nothum's Teething is truly a wild ride. This book is composed of many short stories that explore narratives we have all come to know first hand or through media or news. Nothum tackles hard hitting subjects but presents them with a twist. This book has taken me on an emotional journey. I laughed, cried, and just when I thought I knew where a story was going, Nothum would surprise me. I would recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about our future, or who is frustrated with the current state of our society. Nothum's creative take on an American dystopia is engaging and witty. Maybe one day we really will live in a world where cigarettes taste like bananas, or where we can travel in time and fix our mistakes.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing, creative imagination the author shows in these dystopian stories. They are all very different and grab your attention and keep it holding on until the last story is told. I particularly enjoyed The Electronic Remnants of Louis T. Tippets. It’s a very creative story where through Artificial Intelligence (AI) all the information found in a person’s social media is used to form an EM or electronic remnant of a deceased person, a digital persona, if you will, that can communicate with living persons. It’s so interesting that Louis Tippets wife and son actually form an electronic relationship with the ‘persona’ of Louis. Louis’s persona is much more loving and kinder than Louis actually was when he was alive.
I found myself cracking up with laughter as I read some of these stories. I think you will enjoy this book of short stories by Stephen Nothum

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible collection of stories this book is! Imagine if Philip K. Dick and The Twilight Zone had a baby, that baby would be Teething by Stephen Nothum.

This book addresses a lot of topics that concern society today: racism (Not Her Own), school shootings (All-American Shooting Star), social media (Devil’s Punchbowl), homelessness (Stump Outside 7-Eleven), and healthcare (Sometimes You Kill Them).

Nothum writes with a sharp wit that can at times be dark, but this book is a lot of fun. I have always been a fan of all things time travel and this book has a few of those stories as well.

I loved it and I can’t wait to read more from Stephen Nothum.

[Ilse Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a debut novel, this really hits it out of the park. Each chapter is a breezy read that tells its own unique story. I also think no two readers will have the same experience when reading this book or come to the same determinations. All of the stories end with a twist that left me feeling a bit sickly in the best of ways. I’m personally extremely excited to see what Nothum does in his literally career.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great read. The stories make you think, smile, cry, and experience a plethora of emotions. It was a fabulous ride.

[Sean Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this anthology of short stories, author Stephen Nothum aptly displays his command of the English language. His ability to shift between genres is impressive. Through drama, suspense, science fiction and even comedy, Nothum explores many pertinent societal issues. He does not shy away from hot-button topics like religious zeal (Devil’s Punchbowl), racial guilt (Not Her Own), industrialization (The Last American Factory Farm), pornography (Sandra McComputer Face), homelessness (Stump Outside 7-Eleven), and school shootings (Teething).

Yet despite the heaviness of these topics, Nothum finds poignancy in every story without becoming preachy. I often found myself thinking of ways to improve my own relationship with these difficult topics, long after putting the book down. Rarely do I come across a dystopian tale that leaves me feeling optimistic. Teething is full of them. This sentiment is buoyed by the fact that Nothum’s characters are well developed and feel real. I cared deeply about what happened to them and how I related to them.

I cannot wait to read what Nothum writes next. But in the meantime, Teething has more than enough for me to chew on.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read many short story collections before, but most of the ones I have read fall into two categories: fluffy and fun but not very impactful, or highly symbolic think pieces that can be a bit of a slog to read. Teething hit the sweet spot in the middle—enjoyable to read but left a lasting impression in my mind. Anyone who’s watched a loved one slowly decline will recognize the difficult mix of emotions in And the Old Man Goes Home, and anyone who’s disliked an acquaintance for no good reason in particular will delight in George’s hilariously petty crusade against his neighbor in The Best Sort of Neighbor. My personal favorite was Ouro de Tolo, which skewers do-gooder influencers without actually mentioning them at all. The worlds in Teething seem far-fetched at first, but in reality, aren’t too different from our own

[Cshelmick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is highly imaginative and compulsively readable (I finished it in one sitting). Many of the stories have ambiguous endings which make them intriguing and a little uncomfortable. My favorite story, The Best Sort of Neighbor, had a clear conclusion but still made me think about the characters’ motives and how I would act in those circumstances. The stories are not of the “read and forget” type, I have found myself mulling them over again and again. Highly recommend.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A well done but disturbing collection of short stories examining facets of American culture including the prison system, gun violence, and technology. Look up trigger warnings of which there are a ton.

[Jocelyn Deschamps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Nothum’s book, ‘Teething and other tales from the American Dystopia’ was a very well written and intriguing book. I enjoyed reading each story he included.

The story Teething stuck out to me the most. The story line was captivating and kept the reader's attention to the very end. Stephen keeps his audience entertained to the very end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys short stories that are modern and easy for today’s society to understand. The inclusion of AI in The Electronic Remnants of Louis T. Trippets makes me think that AI could advance drastically in the world in the next 10 years. The other story that stuck out was All-American Shooting Star. I liked how it has the thoughts of the main character to help explain the story.

The entire book was such a wonderful read. I look forward to reading it over again.