Spite

by Anjeli Chapman Wolf

"Anjeli Chapman's writing feels like cracking open a fortune cookie: imbued with the sacrality of having stumbled upon a treasure and the spectrality of words that stick, trailing behind you in their haunting magnetism."
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— Lydia Maria Makrides, actor (Netflix's DARK)

"A masterclass in incisive prose. Rich with unexpected turns-of-phrase and deadpan meditations, “French Turn” waltzes through parties, relationships, and quiet betrayals with a cutting eye. Thoughts we’ve never had the nerve to say aloud, age-old judgments we harbor toward ourselves and each other—Chapman guides us through the weeds of the human psyche with wit, wryness, and grace."
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— Eliza Gilbert, poet

40 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2024

Reviews

[Claire Heuberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 short stories that are all equally immersive and distinct. Chapman is gifted at being able to throw the readers directly into the most vulnerable interior lives of her characters while also painting vivid and dramatic physical worlds. I have read some of her work in the past, and with each new thing she writes she keeps her witty, cynical, wry charm that (as someone who knows her personally) feels very genuine. She is incredibly talented and I look forward to all the things she goes on to write after this!

[sona · Rating 5 out of 5]

stunning ! each of the shorts has such a different vibe but the writing is so sharp and clever and cuts right to the bone in each of them. i was hooked from the first line of french turn, and enjoyed the delicate unwrapping of melancholy beneath the cutting words on the surface. loved the backstory and sudden surrealism in the wizard, which felt like it brought some light to the very real feeling of social anxiety and what ifs. saint jane was haunting and strange and probably my favourite of the collection, esp the way it captured the feeling of something lurking in your peripherals but maybe being right in front of you all along. lots to reflect on from a short debut collection

such a joy to read and v excited to see what ACW does next !!

[Elynor Kamil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid language evokes characters vividly. The depictions aren't flattering, but they're honest and more compelling for it. The more magical aspects of some of the shorts stories are more incidental, with more emphasis on more active metaphor than the mechanics. It's great stuff.

[Bry Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

wowowowowoowowwww. loved this so so much.

each story gripped me entirely, and brought me into a very distinct world. everything was described so vividly - i felt like i was physically at the drinks party with arthur and celeste as they orbited each other; living through the wizards eyes and his social anxiety; and trapped with jane, her aunt, and her visions. the closing lines of each chapter were also amazing - each finishing with a gut punch and utter poignancy. such interesting reflections on purpose, love, possibility, and grief. very very hard to choose a fave!!!

will be rereading this collection lots xx

[Daniel Barlekamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to describe Wolf's stories as insightful, but I prefer the adjective one of the reviewers used on the back flap: incisive. These stories are insightful, but they also cut. Wolf's language is poetic and precise, like an incision.

This is a great chapbook. Each of the stories is distinct, which isn't always true of collections. This makes it difficult to pick a favorite - each story contains its own world. I will say, though, that I found "Saint June" more unsettling than most horror I've read recently.

I'm definitely going to check out Wolf's other writing and keep an eye out for future publications.

Thank you to Wrong Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Caspar Bhalerao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spite is beautiful little anthology stuffed full of whimsical prose. The descriptions throughout are rich and vivid, binding sharp insights with a dose of wit; Spite is a pleasure to read.

Each story has the feeling of a half remembered dream, slipping through your hands like sand. I found them all to be equally tantalising… although French Turn would be my pick of the bunch for its stark unpicking of modern life. I just wish they were longer!

Overall Spite is a thought-provoking read, thoroughly recommend; I look forward to reading more of ACW’s work in future.

[Eleanor Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical and witty.

Woven with realism, but reminiscent of a dream. An excellent first read of 2025.

[Lahra Harcourt-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Random, gripping, brilliant.