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A Small Apocalypse: Stories
A gorgeously wrought exploration of what it means to exist in the in-between.
In her debut short-story collection A Small Apocalypse, Laura Chow Reeve examines cultural inheritance, hybridity, queerness, and the stickiness of home with an eye for both the uncanny and the human bodies become reptilian, queer ghosts haunt their friends, a young woman learns to pickle memories, and a theater floods during an apocalyptic movie marathon. The characters in A Small Apocalypse weave in and out of its fourteen stories, confronting their sense of otherness and struggling to find new ways of being and belonging. Heavily steeped in the swampy, feral heat of Florida, these stories venture beyond the problems of constructing an identity to the frontier of characters living their truth in a world that doesn’t yet have a place for them.
In her debut short-story collection A Small Apocalypse, Laura Chow Reeve examines cultural inheritance, hybridity, queerness, and the stickiness of home with an eye for both the uncanny and the human bodies become reptilian, queer ghosts haunt their friends, a young woman learns to pickle memories, and a theater floods during an apocalyptic movie marathon. The characters in A Small Apocalypse weave in and out of its fourteen stories, confronting their sense of otherness and struggling to find new ways of being and belonging. Heavily steeped in the swampy, feral heat of Florida, these stories venture beyond the problems of constructing an identity to the frontier of characters living their truth in a world that doesn’t yet have a place for them.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2024
13 people are currently reading
1418 people want to read
About the author
Laura Chow Reeve
2 books36 followersLaura Chow Reeve is a writer & illustrator living in Richmond, Virginia. Her fiction has been published in The Rumpus, Catapult, Joyland, and elsewhere. Her story in Hyphen Magazine was a 2017 winner of the Pen/Robert J. Dau prize and featured on LeVar Burton Reads. She has a MA in Asian American Studies from UCLA, is a Blackburn Fellow at Randolph College’s MFA program, and has attended workshops at Tin House and VONA. Her debut short story collection, A Small Apocalypse, is forthcoming with TriQuarterly Books/Northwestern University Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 25, 2024
Admittedly, I am friends with the author, still I have some things to say.
In 2017, Kristen Arnett wrote and article called the “problem with writing about florida”. This came out around the time I moved out of Florida for grad school. Fragments of that leaving found in the chapter “migratory patterns”. When my homesickness for florida peaked I ran to that article to teleport home. Florida is americas punchline, and I am in love with Florida — in its wildness and inconsistency. It barely allows us to live there. That commands a certain reverence for it. A Small Apocalypse provides a similar balm. Broadly, the stories are freakish, trans, haunting and bold. But the details are so clear and familiar— I am locked into the minutia. One of my favorite stories from this collection is subtle, and meandering. “Suwannee” describes a birthday weekend, spikes of drama and tenderness. In the background these characters- a composite of many florida queers I am in love with- drove past confederate effigies, defunct tourist traps and one million threats to get to this moment, a sanctuary in each other. I have not experienced this outside of the south. The acknowledgement of our messiness the necessity and delight of our messy company. In this story, and others you can see Laura’s background in restorative justice work. Her sight is integrated and unwavering, “It wasn’t easy, holding so many feelings in your hands when the place they lives was already small and hostile. It was better to keep each other close, to try not to dispose of one another, even if doing so ravaged your lonely and sad heart.” (Pg. 56) There is a map in this book I will keep returning to hoping to reach the commitments -to hauntings, to friends and lovers, to florida- that Laura has carefully drawn out. Im so grateful for what she sees in Florida and I hope others will see it too.
In 2017, Kristen Arnett wrote and article called the “problem with writing about florida”. This came out around the time I moved out of Florida for grad school. Fragments of that leaving found in the chapter “migratory patterns”. When my homesickness for florida peaked I ran to that article to teleport home. Florida is americas punchline, and I am in love with Florida — in its wildness and inconsistency. It barely allows us to live there. That commands a certain reverence for it. A Small Apocalypse provides a similar balm. Broadly, the stories are freakish, trans, haunting and bold. But the details are so clear and familiar— I am locked into the minutia. One of my favorite stories from this collection is subtle, and meandering. “Suwannee” describes a birthday weekend, spikes of drama and tenderness. In the background these characters- a composite of many florida queers I am in love with- drove past confederate effigies, defunct tourist traps and one million threats to get to this moment, a sanctuary in each other. I have not experienced this outside of the south. The acknowledgement of our messiness the necessity and delight of our messy company. In this story, and others you can see Laura’s background in restorative justice work. Her sight is integrated and unwavering, “It wasn’t easy, holding so many feelings in your hands when the place they lives was already small and hostile. It was better to keep each other close, to try not to dispose of one another, even if doing so ravaged your lonely and sad heart.” (Pg. 56) There is a map in this book I will keep returning to hoping to reach the commitments -to hauntings, to friends and lovers, to florida- that Laura has carefully drawn out. Im so grateful for what she sees in Florida and I hope others will see it too.
December 7, 2024
late on my review as I finished this short story collection over the Summer, but perhaps very timely on my review in case anyone has some queer readers they are shopping for this Holiday season...
I had the absolute luck of attending a reading the author did in Chicago & asked about the early 30s queer friend group whose intersecting stories are woven throughout the book. Laura stated (paraphrasing) that she wanted to capture the way these friendships show us that platonic and romantic aren't quite so binary. I think she achieved that & more. It's such a magical collection. My favorite story was the eponymous "A Small Apocalypse."
I had the absolute luck of attending a reading the author did in Chicago & asked about the early 30s queer friend group whose intersecting stories are woven throughout the book. Laura stated (paraphrasing) that she wanted to capture the way these friendships show us that platonic and romantic aren't quite so binary. I think she achieved that & more. It's such a magical collection. My favorite story was the eponymous "A Small Apocalypse."
April 29, 2024
Wow…I don’t even know what to say. It’s SO GOOD. Haunting, emotional, and written so beautifully. The depiction of messy, queer friendship is unmatched. Can’t wait to revisit this collection of stories for many years to come
dnf
June 17, 2025Tried the first three stories, all of which i think had a lot going for them. But they felt unfinished, like drafts of stories with great concepts and some stellar prose that didn't fulfill their potential and ended unsatisfactorily.
January 28, 2024
"A Small Apocalypse" is a gorgeous and highly atmospheric queer read. I have not read anything quite like it. Once I finished the first story I realized I could trust the author to weave characters, climate, and connections in intriguing and clever ways. Highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. #SmallApocalypse
January 14, 2024
Perfect.
December 4, 2024
maybe biased bc my friend wrote this but : ) i loved it : )
March 15, 2025
I loved this collection of linked short stories so much that I can’t possibly put it into a Goodreads review. In fact, I’m inspired to write a braided essay about how I felt so seen by seeing these words, and submit it for publication. These stories, many of them about a group of friends, made me feel less alone than I can remember feeling. This is why I read. This is the best literature has to offer.
February 4, 2024
A Small Apocalypse is a collection of short stories, many of them with interweaving characters, exploring both uncanny situations and everyday queerness. Memorable individual stories tell tales of people turning into reptiles and tragedy at Disney World, whilst a group of queer friends in Florida form the basis of many of the stories, exploring ghosts and alienation and a dead flamingo. Themes that run throughout the collection are swampy Florida, Asian American experience, queerness, and unsettling moments.
As someone who isn't always a huge fan of short story collections, I was drawn to the blurb of this one, particularly the queerness and mention of something bad happening at Disney World, and I'm so glad I was. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed both the standalone stories and the ones which featured recurring characters, and the two types of story interweave in the book like you never know what might recur and what won't, which I found an extension of the slightly unsettling vibe of some of the stories. I did love the Disney theme park story, both in its execution and in the story it tells, and I also really liked a lot of the more mundane stories that focused on character, relationships, and place, that place mostly being Florida. I appreciated how much even the interconnected stories were very different, offering some building blocks from other stories but also being their own thing.
If you're looking for short stories that come together as a collection, that explore queerness, race, place, relationships, and fears in ways that are both everyday and weird, then A Small Apocalypse is well worth a read. It made me feel refreshed by the idea of short stories and what it means to read a collection of them by an author.
As someone who isn't always a huge fan of short story collections, I was drawn to the blurb of this one, particularly the queerness and mention of something bad happening at Disney World, and I'm so glad I was. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed both the standalone stories and the ones which featured recurring characters, and the two types of story interweave in the book like you never know what might recur and what won't, which I found an extension of the slightly unsettling vibe of some of the stories. I did love the Disney theme park story, both in its execution and in the story it tells, and I also really liked a lot of the more mundane stories that focused on character, relationships, and place, that place mostly being Florida. I appreciated how much even the interconnected stories were very different, offering some building blocks from other stories but also being their own thing.
If you're looking for short stories that come together as a collection, that explore queerness, race, place, relationships, and fears in ways that are both everyday and weird, then A Small Apocalypse is well worth a read. It made me feel refreshed by the idea of short stories and what it means to read a collection of them by an author.
March 14, 2024
A Small Apocalypse took me by surprise, weaving varying tales of grief, horror, Floridian heat, and queerness.
We frequently revisit one specific friend group, as they make their way through loss, changing relationships, and the undulating, inevitable, changes as they grow older.
I loved that we were returning to some of the these characters throughout the stories, at different points in their lives. Sometimes I feel like short stories can suffer by ending too quickly, and leaving too many questions hanging in the air - seeing the same characters weave in and out of the stories throughout this collection helped give them a sense of place, and weaves together a beautiful over-arcing narrative.
The unconnected stories are equally compelling - my particular favorites being about a family who suffer a horrific loss at Disney World, and a practical packing list for how to survive the end of the world.
Each story was haunting and atmospheric, wether it was dealing with working through the feelings of losing a friend, trying to hold onto something that is already lost, or something even more supernatural in nature. A true mix of different kinds of world-changing events - big, world-ending ones, set alongside smaller, more personally devastating ones, each written with care and pitch-perfect execution.
Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.
We frequently revisit one specific friend group, as they make their way through loss, changing relationships, and the undulating, inevitable, changes as they grow older.
I loved that we were returning to some of the these characters throughout the stories, at different points in their lives. Sometimes I feel like short stories can suffer by ending too quickly, and leaving too many questions hanging in the air - seeing the same characters weave in and out of the stories throughout this collection helped give them a sense of place, and weaves together a beautiful over-arcing narrative.
The unconnected stories are equally compelling - my particular favorites being about a family who suffer a horrific loss at Disney World, and a practical packing list for how to survive the end of the world.
Each story was haunting and atmospheric, wether it was dealing with working through the feelings of losing a friend, trying to hold onto something that is already lost, or something even more supernatural in nature. A true mix of different kinds of world-changing events - big, world-ending ones, set alongside smaller, more personally devastating ones, each written with care and pitch-perfect execution.
Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.
January 13, 2025
damn this blew my mind. i've never read anything like this before and i mean that in the best way possible. i love southern queer asians and most of the characters fit that bill! i feel haunted by these stories in a manner that's kind of mesmerizing
September 5, 2024
3,5*
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.
This collection got off on a rough start for me. Thankfully it didn’t stay that way. Most of the stories focus race, grief, gender, sexuality, mental health, friendship and family relationships. Overall I am happy I read this, but wouldn’t feel inclined to read it again.
Milked Snakes: 2*
Milked Snakes follows a woman who is transforming into a reptile. This story didnt make a lot of sense to me. Having such a strange thing happen to you and just staying calm, acting like it’s as mundane as going grocery shopping or doing laundry... It is nice that it is a story about finding your people, but it was too vague for me.
Rebecca: 3*
This story is about Grace who takes a plane and finally meets her online boyfriend for the first time. But he is not really the reason she came there. I liked this story more and Reeve’s writing is enjoyable. Yet this story also felt unfinished. There are hints as to what it’s about, but then the next page shows a new story.
One-Thousand-Year-Old-Ghosts: 4,5*
For the third story in this book we follow Katie who is a second generation immigrant. Her grandmother has taught her the art of physically botteling up her negative memories to forget them.
’I clogged every drain in the house to create space to put myself away.’
This was a very creative story. I love a complicated family dynamic and an emphasis on the importance of memory.
The lay-out and structure of this text was also well thought out.
Real Bodies: 4,5*
Next we follow a Chinese-American woman who lives in an America that forces people to go on constant dates. Forcing the entire population to only embrace straight and white relationships and keeping track of all to ensure that they do.
This haunting story is not far removed from our reality and shows readers that allowing people to be free in who they are will always be the most important.
’Beauty is just enough white to soften the rough edges.’
Suwannee: 4*
Suwannee focusses on queer friendship and the solid bonds that groups of people can form. Two characters from an earlier story appear in this one, creating a timeline throughout some of the stories. There is a romance storyline as well, though the focus is on friendship with it-s strentghs and weaknesses.
Hunted: 3*
This one was very short. All I have to say is that it is the epitome of self love.
Happiest: 3*
Family and grief take focus in this story. The dynamics between the family members are clear and it feels like something that could have actually happened. I would have loved a longer version of this.
A Small Apocalypse: 4*
Grief, growing pains and your place in the world are all themes in this short story. It has a clear character and is enjoyable to read.
Paper Wasps: 4*
Lily, who has something along the lines of OCD, keep disappearing into her obsessions. It is a good representation of the ebbs and flows of depression.
Beloved Flamingo Stoned to Death: 3*
Lou works at a zoo and feels a kinship with one of the flamingoes who ends up as described in the title. It focusses on grief and has an interesting point of view.
Upstairs: 3*
This story reminds me of the start of ‘Beau Is Afraid’, which is a movie I hated. Though it is always interesting when a character doesn’t know what is and isn’t real.
Three-card Spread: 4,5*
I really liked this one. It’s main focus was family dynamics (parents and children) and how we are influences by them, whether we want it or not.
Migratory Patterns: 4*
In my opinion, the collection should have ended with this story creating a full circle moment. I liked that we got to follow some of the same characters throughout the book and this way we got some closure on them.
A Packing List for the End of the World: 3*
This is interesting after having read The Road. However, it is very short and feels like it doesn’t really a point and quite random at the end of the collection.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.
This collection got off on a rough start for me. Thankfully it didn’t stay that way. Most of the stories focus race, grief, gender, sexuality, mental health, friendship and family relationships. Overall I am happy I read this, but wouldn’t feel inclined to read it again.
Milked Snakes: 2*
Milked Snakes follows a woman who is transforming into a reptile. This story didnt make a lot of sense to me. Having such a strange thing happen to you and just staying calm, acting like it’s as mundane as going grocery shopping or doing laundry... It is nice that it is a story about finding your people, but it was too vague for me.
Rebecca: 3*
This story is about Grace who takes a plane and finally meets her online boyfriend for the first time. But he is not really the reason she came there. I liked this story more and Reeve’s writing is enjoyable. Yet this story also felt unfinished. There are hints as to what it’s about, but then the next page shows a new story.
One-Thousand-Year-Old-Ghosts: 4,5*
For the third story in this book we follow Katie who is a second generation immigrant. Her grandmother has taught her the art of physically botteling up her negative memories to forget them.
’I clogged every drain in the house to create space to put myself away.’
This was a very creative story. I love a complicated family dynamic and an emphasis on the importance of memory.
The lay-out and structure of this text was also well thought out.
Real Bodies: 4,5*
Next we follow a Chinese-American woman who lives in an America that forces people to go on constant dates. Forcing the entire population to only embrace straight and white relationships and keeping track of all to ensure that they do.
This haunting story is not far removed from our reality and shows readers that allowing people to be free in who they are will always be the most important.
’Beauty is just enough white to soften the rough edges.’
Suwannee: 4*
Suwannee focusses on queer friendship and the solid bonds that groups of people can form. Two characters from an earlier story appear in this one, creating a timeline throughout some of the stories. There is a romance storyline as well, though the focus is on friendship with it-s strentghs and weaknesses.
Hunted: 3*
This one was very short. All I have to say is that it is the epitome of self love.
Happiest: 3*
Family and grief take focus in this story. The dynamics between the family members are clear and it feels like something that could have actually happened. I would have loved a longer version of this.
A Small Apocalypse: 4*
Grief, growing pains and your place in the world are all themes in this short story. It has a clear character and is enjoyable to read.
Paper Wasps: 4*
Lily, who has something along the lines of OCD, keep disappearing into her obsessions. It is a good representation of the ebbs and flows of depression.
Beloved Flamingo Stoned to Death: 3*
Lou works at a zoo and feels a kinship with one of the flamingoes who ends up as described in the title. It focusses on grief and has an interesting point of view.
Upstairs: 3*
This story reminds me of the start of ‘Beau Is Afraid’, which is a movie I hated. Though it is always interesting when a character doesn’t know what is and isn’t real.
Three-card Spread: 4,5*
I really liked this one. It’s main focus was family dynamics (parents and children) and how we are influences by them, whether we want it or not.
Migratory Patterns: 4*
In my opinion, the collection should have ended with this story creating a full circle moment. I liked that we got to follow some of the same characters throughout the book and this way we got some closure on them.
A Packing List for the End of the World: 3*
This is interesting after having read The Road. However, it is very short and feels like it doesn’t really a point and quite random at the end of the collection.
April 4, 2024
I love it when an author keeps on returning to characters and themes within a collection, as if they are as haunted as we are. Things you will find in this book: mixed Chinese sapphic characters navigating relationships, inconsiderate boyfriends, quiet revelations about grief and love, memories, animals as pets and symbols, Florida, and repeating cycles of relationship dynamics.
While I truly loved that we kept returning to certain characters, I also thought that the stories about the main group were the weakest of them. The ones about animals and grief in turn hit the hardest.
There is this great atmosphere that permeates the book which highlights so many small moments and acts to paint this larger, beautiful picture. It also has a sense of place and identity that I adored. And Reeve has a special talent of how she end each story, I've always highlighted the last sentence in each peace - it was the perfect closure every time.
Milked Snakes | ★★★★✩
Possibly the most magical story of them all – a woman is turning reptilian. There is this metaphor about pain being externalised and affecting the people around her, like her boyfriend.
Rebecca | ★★★★✩
Grace moves across the country for her boyfriend but there's something off about the lingering presence of his ex-girlfriend. Such a quiet but satisfying unravelling of her relationship to both of these people.
One-Thousand-Year-Old Ghosts | ★★★★✩
Plays with the idea of how much we are shaped by our past and our memories by giving you the option to remove – and forget – about them by centering 3 generations of Chinese women.
Real Bodies | ★★★★✩
An exploration of the assumptions when it comes to dating where a website has turned matchmaking into a mathematical equation. The protagonist is doing what is expected of her but you can see her want to rebel: to respond to the racist comments by prospective partners, to break the pattern, to date a woman.
Suwanee | ★★★✩✩
A friend group dynamic.
Hunted | ★★★✩✩
Self-reflection (literally).
Happiest | ★★★★★
Ellie goes to Disneyland with her family. Then, her brother dies. Incredible.
A Small Apocalypse | ★★★✩✩
Back with the friend group. The mundanities of life and a hurricane warning.
Paper Wasps | ★★★✩✩
A therapy session and the changing dynamic between Lily and her girlfriend.
Beloved Flamingo Stoned to Death | ★★★★★
This one just got to me. It's just about a new zoo employer who is in charge of disposing of the flamingo's body but it's also about grief and holding on to the past and unprocessed emotions and irrational violence.
Upstairs | ★★★★✩
The upstairs neighbors are too loud but something isn't adding up. This had the perfect length.
Three-Card Spread | ★★★★★
A story told in three parts about a man who has a fraught relationship with his parents and who then gets married and leaves his own daughter. Beautifully told.
Migratory Patterns | ★★★✩✩
The friend group again, this time discussing new futures and old grudges.
A Packing List at the End of the World | ★★★★✩
Apocalypse musings.
I received an advanced reading copy from Northwestern University Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While I truly loved that we kept returning to certain characters, I also thought that the stories about the main group were the weakest of them. The ones about animals and grief in turn hit the hardest.
There is this great atmosphere that permeates the book which highlights so many small moments and acts to paint this larger, beautiful picture. It also has a sense of place and identity that I adored. And Reeve has a special talent of how she end each story, I've always highlighted the last sentence in each peace - it was the perfect closure every time.
Milked Snakes | ★★★★✩
Possibly the most magical story of them all – a woman is turning reptilian. There is this metaphor about pain being externalised and affecting the people around her, like her boyfriend.
Rebecca | ★★★★✩
Grace moves across the country for her boyfriend but there's something off about the lingering presence of his ex-girlfriend. Such a quiet but satisfying unravelling of her relationship to both of these people.
One-Thousand-Year-Old Ghosts | ★★★★✩
Plays with the idea of how much we are shaped by our past and our memories by giving you the option to remove – and forget – about them by centering 3 generations of Chinese women.
Real Bodies | ★★★★✩
An exploration of the assumptions when it comes to dating where a website has turned matchmaking into a mathematical equation. The protagonist is doing what is expected of her but you can see her want to rebel: to respond to the racist comments by prospective partners, to break the pattern, to date a woman.
Suwanee | ★★★✩✩
A friend group dynamic.
Hunted | ★★★✩✩
Self-reflection (literally).
Happiest | ★★★★★
Ellie goes to Disneyland with her family. Then, her brother dies. Incredible.
A Small Apocalypse | ★★★✩✩
Back with the friend group. The mundanities of life and a hurricane warning.
Paper Wasps | ★★★✩✩
A therapy session and the changing dynamic between Lily and her girlfriend.
Beloved Flamingo Stoned to Death | ★★★★★
This one just got to me. It's just about a new zoo employer who is in charge of disposing of the flamingo's body but it's also about grief and holding on to the past and unprocessed emotions and irrational violence.
Upstairs | ★★★★✩
The upstairs neighbors are too loud but something isn't adding up. This had the perfect length.
Three-Card Spread | ★★★★★
A story told in three parts about a man who has a fraught relationship with his parents and who then gets married and leaves his own daughter. Beautifully told.
Migratory Patterns | ★★★✩✩
The friend group again, this time discussing new futures and old grudges.
A Packing List at the End of the World | ★★★★✩
Apocalypse musings.
I received an advanced reading copy from Northwestern University Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2024
(review for talk lit, get hit podcast)
I'm slowly becoming a short stories girlie! A Small Apocalypse is a collection of short stories that are weird, unsettling and thought-provoking. As I got to the end of each story, I found myself immediately wanting to continue. However, I forced myself to stop and reflect because each story packs a punch. I enjoyed finding parts of other stories in each one and found the characters relatable and realistic.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
I'm slowly becoming a short stories girlie! A Small Apocalypse is a collection of short stories that are weird, unsettling and thought-provoking. As I got to the end of each story, I found myself immediately wanting to continue. However, I forced myself to stop and reflect because each story packs a punch. I enjoyed finding parts of other stories in each one and found the characters relatable and realistic.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
January 7, 2025
4.5~ I had been eying this book at the library for a while, and what a nice lil surprise that my partner knows the author. The first story is set in West Philly, which was a treat. I know the characters, you know the characters, they’re quintessential queers, but the stories were full of surprises and oddities that were amusing and morbid. Not a lot of apocalypses, but many ghosts in many flavors.
February 16, 2024
Throughout this collection of short stories, author Laura Chow Reeve returns again and again to themes of queerness, Asian American experience, and in between spaces. The thing I was struck with, repeatedly, was a sense of discomfort or unease. Somehow (to the author’s credit), this was not an inherently bad thing.
Balmy Florida was the backdrop for many of the stories, interwoven with characters familiar and strange. A deeply unsettling read, that is so worth the journey.
Thank you NetGalley and Northwestern Publishing for the ARC!
Balmy Florida was the backdrop for many of the stories, interwoven with characters familiar and strange. A deeply unsettling read, that is so worth the journey.
Thank you NetGalley and Northwestern Publishing for the ARC!
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August 16, 2024i finally finished!! im so slow with short stories lol but i LOVED this collection. such beautiful and real friendships throughout smart and swampy and freaky and wonderful stories
i brag to everyone who asks what im reading that i worked on a zine with laura but even if we didnt know each other i would be shouting this book’s praises!!!
i brag to everyone who asks what im reading that i worked on a zine with laura but even if we didnt know each other i would be shouting this book’s praises!!!
August 26, 2025
Nowhere near perfect but full of heart. I’m not always the biggest fan of short story collections but I really enjoyed this one. Picked it up randomly from the library too #thankulibrarians
I think the stories couldve existed in relation to each other in a more interesting way, but nevertheless some of them had me speechless. Excited to revisit this book eventually
I think the stories couldve existed in relation to each other in a more interesting way, but nevertheless some of them had me speechless. Excited to revisit this book eventually
February 1, 2025
such a solid collection of queer stories, the south, love, and fantastical elements
April 28, 2024
Some really excellent stories here. Haunting and will stick with me for awhile.
April 1, 2024
I really enjoyed these atmospheric and unpredictable short stories. It was great to be genuinely surprised by some of the turns these stories would unexpectedly take, even if some of those turns were truly macabre.
There are a lot of heavy and important topics that were tackled well and from interesting viewpoints in this collection as characters grapple with racism, identity, estrangement, climate change, and grief. I also loved how many of the stories were connected to each other through a messy group of queer friends living in Florida.
Many thanks to Northwestern University Press and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
There are a lot of heavy and important topics that were tackled well and from interesting viewpoints in this collection as characters grapple with racism, identity, estrangement, climate change, and grief. I also loved how many of the stories were connected to each other through a messy group of queer friends living in Florida.
Many thanks to Northwestern University Press and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2024
Laura Chow Reeve's "A Small Apocalypse" is a stunning collection that deftly intertwines gothic fiction with themes of metamorphosis and queer found family. The stories are a testament to Reeve’s narrative prowess, exploring themes of bodily transformation, queerness, and intergenerational trauma against a backdrop of gothic and speculative elements.
Rebecca stands out as a particularly captivating story. The nonbinary representation is both authentic and refreshing. This story exudes a gothic, eerie atmosphere reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca," but with a queer twist that adds depth and complexity. The bodily transformations, from the subtle to the profound, are depicted with a blend of beauty and unease. The exploration of found family and the emotional investment in the characters make this story a standout in the collection.
One Thousand Year Old Ghosts is another story that leaves a lasting impact. It delves deeply into themes of intergenerational trauma, with a unique twist on memory and metamorphosis. The concept of women bottling up their memories to control their rage is both heart-wrenching and powerful. Reeve’s portrayal of memory as both a burden and a source of strength is poignant, and the climax of the story is cathartic and gut-wrenching.
The rest of the collection is equally compelling, with each story contributing to a rich tapestry of interconnected themes and characters. Reeve’s writing is marked by its lyrical prose and intricate storytelling, making each narrative feel both self-contained and part of a larger, cohesive whole.
The recurring motif of transformation is explored in various forms throughout the collection. Whether through physical metamorphosis or emotional and psychological changes, Reeve examines how our bodies and identities are in constant flux. This theme is not only a source of horror but also of beauty and empowerment, offering a nuanced perspective on change and growth.
The theme of queerness is central to many of the stories, providing a lens through which characters navigate their identities and relationships. The depiction of queer found family is particularly powerful, showcasing the strength and resilience that comes from community and solidarity. This aspect of the collection is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, highlighting the importance of chosen family in the face of societal oppression.
In conclusion, "A Small Apocalypse" by Laura Chow Reeve is a masterful collection that balances gothic fiction with poignant explorations of queerness, bodily transformation, and intergenerational trauma. While there were some standout stories, the collection as a whole is a cohesive and powerful narrative journey. Reeve's lyrical prose and intricate storytelling make this an absolute must-read, deserving of five stars and a top spot on any reading list.
📖 Recommended For: Devotees of gothic fiction with strong queer and nonbinary representation, readers interested in body horror, admirers of interconnected short story collections, Fans of “It Came From the Closet” and Abby Geni’s “The Body Farm.”
🔑 Key Themes: Queer and Nonbinary Representation, Bodily Transformation, Queer Found Family, Intergenerational Trauma, Biracial Representation, Gothic and Speculative Elements, Memory and Healing.
Content / Trigger Warnings: Medical trauma (minor), Sexual Content (minor), Abandonment (minor), Racism (minor), Death of a Parent (minor), Transphobia (minor), Death of a Child (severe), Sexual Harassment (minor), Animal Death (minor).
Rebecca stands out as a particularly captivating story. The nonbinary representation is both authentic and refreshing. This story exudes a gothic, eerie atmosphere reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca," but with a queer twist that adds depth and complexity. The bodily transformations, from the subtle to the profound, are depicted with a blend of beauty and unease. The exploration of found family and the emotional investment in the characters make this story a standout in the collection.
One Thousand Year Old Ghosts is another story that leaves a lasting impact. It delves deeply into themes of intergenerational trauma, with a unique twist on memory and metamorphosis. The concept of women bottling up their memories to control their rage is both heart-wrenching and powerful. Reeve’s portrayal of memory as both a burden and a source of strength is poignant, and the climax of the story is cathartic and gut-wrenching.
The rest of the collection is equally compelling, with each story contributing to a rich tapestry of interconnected themes and characters. Reeve’s writing is marked by its lyrical prose and intricate storytelling, making each narrative feel both self-contained and part of a larger, cohesive whole.
The recurring motif of transformation is explored in various forms throughout the collection. Whether through physical metamorphosis or emotional and psychological changes, Reeve examines how our bodies and identities are in constant flux. This theme is not only a source of horror but also of beauty and empowerment, offering a nuanced perspective on change and growth.
The theme of queerness is central to many of the stories, providing a lens through which characters navigate their identities and relationships. The depiction of queer found family is particularly powerful, showcasing the strength and resilience that comes from community and solidarity. This aspect of the collection is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, highlighting the importance of chosen family in the face of societal oppression.
In conclusion, "A Small Apocalypse" by Laura Chow Reeve is a masterful collection that balances gothic fiction with poignant explorations of queerness, bodily transformation, and intergenerational trauma. While there were some standout stories, the collection as a whole is a cohesive and powerful narrative journey. Reeve's lyrical prose and intricate storytelling make this an absolute must-read, deserving of five stars and a top spot on any reading list.
📖 Recommended For: Devotees of gothic fiction with strong queer and nonbinary representation, readers interested in body horror, admirers of interconnected short story collections, Fans of “It Came From the Closet” and Abby Geni’s “The Body Farm.”
🔑 Key Themes: Queer and Nonbinary Representation, Bodily Transformation, Queer Found Family, Intergenerational Trauma, Biracial Representation, Gothic and Speculative Elements, Memory and Healing.
Content / Trigger Warnings: Medical trauma (minor), Sexual Content (minor), Abandonment (minor), Racism (minor), Death of a Parent (minor), Transphobia (minor), Death of a Child (severe), Sexual Harassment (minor), Animal Death (minor).
October 6, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Laura Chow Reeve’s debut short-story collection, “A Small Apocalypse,” is a mesmerizing exploration of cultural inheritance, hybridity, and the uncanny. Each story in this collection is a gem, blending the surreal with the deeply human, creating a tapestry of narratives that linger long after the final page.
Reeve’s writing is evocative and imaginative, transporting readers to worlds where human bodies transform into reptilian forms, queer ghosts haunt their friends, and memories can be pickled. The collection opens with a story that sets the tone for the entire book: a young woman grapples with her identity and the weight of her cultural heritage, all while navigating a world that feels both familiar and alien.
One of the standout stories features a theater that floods during an apocalyptic movie marathon, a scenario that Reeve uses to delve into themes of community, fear, and resilience. Her ability to infuse the mundane with the extraordinary is truly remarkable, making each story a unique journey into the unknown.
Reeve’s characters are richly drawn and multifaceted, each grappling with their own personal apocalypses. Whether it’s the young woman learning to pickle memories or the friends haunted by queer ghosts, each character’s struggle is portrayed with empathy and depth. Reeve’s exploration of queerness and cultural hybridity adds layers of complexity to the narratives, making them both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
The prose in “A Small Apocalypse” is lyrical and haunting, with Reeve’s keen eye for detail bringing each story to life. Her ability to blend the uncanny with the realistic creates a sense of unease that is captivating and unsettling. The stories are interconnected by themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable.
“A Small Apocalypse” is a stunning debut that showcases Laura Chow Reeve’s talent for storytelling. Her ability to weave together the fantastical and the real, the uncanny and the human, makes this collection a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and literary short stories. Reeve’s unique voice and imaginative narratives promise a bright future for this emerging author.
Laura Chow Reeve’s debut short-story collection, “A Small Apocalypse,” is a mesmerizing exploration of cultural inheritance, hybridity, and the uncanny. Each story in this collection is a gem, blending the surreal with the deeply human, creating a tapestry of narratives that linger long after the final page.
Reeve’s writing is evocative and imaginative, transporting readers to worlds where human bodies transform into reptilian forms, queer ghosts haunt their friends, and memories can be pickled. The collection opens with a story that sets the tone for the entire book: a young woman grapples with her identity and the weight of her cultural heritage, all while navigating a world that feels both familiar and alien.
One of the standout stories features a theater that floods during an apocalyptic movie marathon, a scenario that Reeve uses to delve into themes of community, fear, and resilience. Her ability to infuse the mundane with the extraordinary is truly remarkable, making each story a unique journey into the unknown.
Reeve’s characters are richly drawn and multifaceted, each grappling with their own personal apocalypses. Whether it’s the young woman learning to pickle memories or the friends haunted by queer ghosts, each character’s struggle is portrayed with empathy and depth. Reeve’s exploration of queerness and cultural hybridity adds layers of complexity to the narratives, making them both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
The prose in “A Small Apocalypse” is lyrical and haunting, with Reeve’s keen eye for detail bringing each story to life. Her ability to blend the uncanny with the realistic creates a sense of unease that is captivating and unsettling. The stories are interconnected by themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable.
“A Small Apocalypse” is a stunning debut that showcases Laura Chow Reeve’s talent for storytelling. Her ability to weave together the fantastical and the real, the uncanny and the human, makes this collection a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and literary short stories. Reeve’s unique voice and imaginative narratives promise a bright future for this emerging author.
March 9, 2024
4.5 Stars
Genre - Queer fiction, related short stories, romance subplots
Tone - humid, skin-crawling, hallucinatory
Tropes & devices - metaphors, some magical realism; romance - friends to lovers, slow burn; found family
Reps - Asian American FMCs, NB / trans / queer MCs and secondary characters.
CW - fetishization, rape, sexual content, racism, colorism, homophobia, transphobia, animal death, explicit language, drinking.
This collection features repeating themes, recurring characters, and interwoven storylines. The author paints a detailed picture of muggy Florida, lizards and heat lamps, stifling homophobia and relationships, the comfort and concerns of chosen family. There are lots of metaphors and rich, descriptive language. The sense of place is well developed; the characterization also shines - there are an impressive number of characters painted vividly in just a few pages. The short story format breaks up the "main" storyline repeatedly - sometimes making it hard to keep track of which stories plug in where. I found myself going back and forth, trying to figure out which names had reappeared in which stories; but that's part of the fun of a read like this, in my opinion. There was also a lot of "serious" content; I found myself wishing for a little more joy for the characters (like water in the desert with this read), but really appreciated the thorough, multifaceted exploration of the themes covered. Would recommend for fans of Land of Milk and Honey for the detailed, nearly queasy descriptions and the exploration of queer and Asian American identity; Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology is another great short story collection that examines racial identity and the way it intersects with gender and sexuality and impacts relationships.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Genre - Queer fiction, related short stories, romance subplots
Tone - humid, skin-crawling, hallucinatory
Tropes & devices - metaphors, some magical realism; romance - friends to lovers, slow burn; found family
Reps - Asian American FMCs, NB / trans / queer MCs and secondary characters.
CW - fetishization, rape, sexual content, racism, colorism, homophobia, transphobia, animal death, explicit language, drinking.
This collection features repeating themes, recurring characters, and interwoven storylines. The author paints a detailed picture of muggy Florida, lizards and heat lamps, stifling homophobia and relationships, the comfort and concerns of chosen family. There are lots of metaphors and rich, descriptive language. The sense of place is well developed; the characterization also shines - there are an impressive number of characters painted vividly in just a few pages. The short story format breaks up the "main" storyline repeatedly - sometimes making it hard to keep track of which stories plug in where. I found myself going back and forth, trying to figure out which names had reappeared in which stories; but that's part of the fun of a read like this, in my opinion. There was also a lot of "serious" content; I found myself wishing for a little more joy for the characters (like water in the desert with this read), but really appreciated the thorough, multifaceted exploration of the themes covered. Would recommend for fans of Land of Milk and Honey for the detailed, nearly queasy descriptions and the exploration of queer and Asian American identity; Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology is another great short story collection that examines racial identity and the way it intersects with gender and sexuality and impacts relationships.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2024
‘A Small Apocalypse’ is an utterly incredible collection that deals with themes of seeing and knowing yourself, of the experience of being queer and a person of colour, of grief and change and healing, of big and small disasters. The stories are searing and raw and real, merging the otherworldly (bottling memories, slowly becoming a lizard person, ) with the mundane (the breaking and reforming of relationships, grieving a friend, watching over a movie theatre in a hurricane). They are primarily set in Florida, muggy heat, alligators and mosquito bites to the ankle a reoccuring theme.
Laura Chow Reeve is an incredible author, and I was blown away by her prose and storytelling across these stories. There wasn’t a single one that I didn’t enjoy, and I think I’d really struggle to pick a favourite (possibly ‘Happiest’, I had a feeling as soon as I started reading that it was going to rip my heart apart, and it absolutely did). This collection has some of the most striking first lines I’ve read in a long time. I need to get my hands on a physical copy so I can go through and underline so many parts of this book!
I also really enjoyed how a lot of the stories followed different people in the same friend group. I loved gaining insight to the different people one by one, and the stories stand up incredibly well on their own too even without this loose overarching narrative tying them together.
Totally incredible. I am going to be eagerly awaiting news of anything else Laura writes. One of my fave reads of the year so far.
Thank you so much to Northwestern University Press and Netgalley for the ARC!
Laura Chow Reeve is an incredible author, and I was blown away by her prose and storytelling across these stories. There wasn’t a single one that I didn’t enjoy, and I think I’d really struggle to pick a favourite (possibly ‘Happiest’, I had a feeling as soon as I started reading that it was going to rip my heart apart, and it absolutely did). This collection has some of the most striking first lines I’ve read in a long time. I need to get my hands on a physical copy so I can go through and underline so many parts of this book!
I also really enjoyed how a lot of the stories followed different people in the same friend group. I loved gaining insight to the different people one by one, and the stories stand up incredibly well on their own too even without this loose overarching narrative tying them together.
Totally incredible. I am going to be eagerly awaiting news of anything else Laura writes. One of my fave reads of the year so far.
Thank you so much to Northwestern University Press and Netgalley for the ARC!
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March 14, 2024Thank you to TriQuarterly Books/Northwestern University Press (@nupress) and @netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
This week’s headline? Is there adrenochrome in the water supply? LMFAO
Why this book? At this point Idk anymore because I request these ARCs months in advance and then forget. Obviously the synopsis intrigued me enough and it’s been a minute since I’ve read a collection of short stories. The cover is pretty, too.
Which book format? ARC
Primary reading environment? Bed and couch
Any preconceived notions? I no longer have expectations for anything and in this case it was a good thing because it ended up being great.
Identify most with? n/a
Three little words? “as ghostly, weightless”
Goes well with? Punk shows; things the dead leave behind; the heat and humidity of Florida
Recommend this to? Crust punks
Other cultural accompaniments: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
I leave you with this: “You think you’ll find your body whole if you can, just this once, sink deeper into the earth.”
.
A Small Apocalypse is a collection of short stories with repetitive themes, recurring characters, and interwoven plots that explores racial and queer identities and relationships against the backdrop of Florida. Overall, I enjoyed this weird little collection. My favorite stories were “Milked Snakes,” “One-Thousand-Year-Old Ghosts”, and the eponymous title.
A Small Apocalypse will be published on March 15, 2024.
This week’s headline? Is there adrenochrome in the water supply? LMFAO
Why this book? At this point Idk anymore because I request these ARCs months in advance and then forget. Obviously the synopsis intrigued me enough and it’s been a minute since I’ve read a collection of short stories. The cover is pretty, too.
Which book format? ARC
Primary reading environment? Bed and couch
Any preconceived notions? I no longer have expectations for anything and in this case it was a good thing because it ended up being great.
Identify most with? n/a
Three little words? “as ghostly, weightless”
Goes well with? Punk shows; things the dead leave behind; the heat and humidity of Florida
Recommend this to? Crust punks
Other cultural accompaniments: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
I leave you with this: “You think you’ll find your body whole if you can, just this once, sink deeper into the earth.”
.
A Small Apocalypse is a collection of short stories with repetitive themes, recurring characters, and interwoven plots that explores racial and queer identities and relationships against the backdrop of Florida. Overall, I enjoyed this weird little collection. My favorite stories were “Milked Snakes,” “One-Thousand-Year-Old Ghosts”, and the eponymous title.
A Small Apocalypse will be published on March 15, 2024.
March 7, 2024
You know that feeling when you read writing so perfect that you don’t know how you can possibly formulate words into a review that clearly articulates the perfection…? Yeah, that's me as I attempt to write this review.
The first word that came to mind as I sat down to gather my thoughts was ‘timeless’. The range and depth of subject matter, the characters and their relationships, the exquisite settings, and the writing, my god, the writing. All timeless. I am confident that people will be reading and raving about this short story collection until the actual apocalypse is upon us.
I am absolutely astounded by how flawless this short story collection is. I need a physical copy asap because I am definitely going to end up re-reading this one many times over.
Every single story in this collection is not only enjoyable and complete in and of itself but somehow every single story says something entirely unique and leaves you as the reader reflecting in a new way every time. I just know that these characters and reflections will stay with me for a while.
I am genuinely overwhelmed and struggling for words. I need everyone to just read this so that my lacking ability to write a coherent review is justified.
Laura is without a doubt a new favourite, and I am so incredibly grateful to her for sharing this true labor of love and genius with the world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Northwestern University Press for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
The first word that came to mind as I sat down to gather my thoughts was ‘timeless’. The range and depth of subject matter, the characters and their relationships, the exquisite settings, and the writing, my god, the writing. All timeless. I am confident that people will be reading and raving about this short story collection until the actual apocalypse is upon us.
I am absolutely astounded by how flawless this short story collection is. I need a physical copy asap because I am definitely going to end up re-reading this one many times over.
Every single story in this collection is not only enjoyable and complete in and of itself but somehow every single story says something entirely unique and leaves you as the reader reflecting in a new way every time. I just know that these characters and reflections will stay with me for a while.
I am genuinely overwhelmed and struggling for words. I need everyone to just read this so that my lacking ability to write a coherent review is justified.
Laura is without a doubt a new favourite, and I am so incredibly grateful to her for sharing this true labor of love and genius with the world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Northwestern University Press for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 14, 2024
Perhaps it’s just me, but even just several stories into reading A Small Apocalypse I was getting queer Kurt Vonnegut vibes…like reading brief scenes from stories left out of Look at the Birdie or something.
Nevertheless, A Small Apocalypse is fascinating and I resonated with, what I felt, is a curious, deep dive into queer belonging and identity. The characters are diverse and nuanced, and while I became confused here and there by trying to keep names straightened out, each individual character’s personality and experience is memorable.
The collection of short stories also flows incredibly well. Reading one after another never felt choppy or disjointed. The themes created a flow and beautiful unity. I look forward to going back and rereading my favorite stories out of the collection more carefully.
Overall, I feel as though I’m still digesting A Small Apocalypse. I can tell that it’s one of those books that I’ll be referencing at meals shared with friends for a long time. It is also going to make the perfect Christmas gift for several of my besties!
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, TriQuarterly, for gifting me the access to this beautiful book’s ARC.
A Small Apocalypse, by Laura Chow Reeve, was published on March 15, 2024.
Nevertheless, A Small Apocalypse is fascinating and I resonated with, what I felt, is a curious, deep dive into queer belonging and identity. The characters are diverse and nuanced, and while I became confused here and there by trying to keep names straightened out, each individual character’s personality and experience is memorable.
The collection of short stories also flows incredibly well. Reading one after another never felt choppy or disjointed. The themes created a flow and beautiful unity. I look forward to going back and rereading my favorite stories out of the collection more carefully.
Overall, I feel as though I’m still digesting A Small Apocalypse. I can tell that it’s one of those books that I’ll be referencing at meals shared with friends for a long time. It is also going to make the perfect Christmas gift for several of my besties!
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, TriQuarterly, for gifting me the access to this beautiful book’s ARC.
A Small Apocalypse, by Laura Chow Reeve, was published on March 15, 2024.
October 14, 2024
A Small Apocalypse is a very queer, very Florida (petition to make 'very Florida' a descriptor for things), and very well-written short story collection that explores race, sexuality, gender, identity, and grief. While short story collections are always a hit or miss for me -- mostly because I have the tendency to just want more from them -- I did really love the majority of the stories found within this collection. In particular, 'Happiest' was my favorite and the point where my opinions on this book really began to solidify.
Through A Small Apocalypse, Laura Chow Reeve uses magical situations (think: sex with ghosts, transformations into lizards, and the apocalypse) as a way to expand on ideas of identity and the self. I also enjoyed how the same characters made appearances over and over again -- that was an excellent touch. Overall, the ideas within this novel are excellently crafted, but there were a few stories that I wanted a bit more from.
Thank you to the Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Through A Small Apocalypse, Laura Chow Reeve uses magical situations (think: sex with ghosts, transformations into lizards, and the apocalypse) as a way to expand on ideas of identity and the self. I also enjoyed how the same characters made appearances over and over again -- that was an excellent touch. Overall, the ideas within this novel are excellently crafted, but there were a few stories that I wanted a bit more from.
Thank you to the Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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