McSweeney's Issue 81

by Dave Eggers, Dave Eggers (founder)

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Literature

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2026

About the author

Dave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.

Reviews

[Paul Dembina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another underwhelming issue. McSweeneys now seems just to have the one tone - light-hearted banter. This used to be restricted to just the letters section but seems to have spread to much of the fiction also.

Nothing really struck me this issue. The abstract art pieces by Percival Everett might have more sense if seen in a gallery at full scale where the texture of the pieces could be seen. As opposed to the small colour reproductions here. There's a very long (at least in terms of pages - over 50 pages long) story from Kevin Johnstone imagining a conversation with a dead uncle. It doesn't really go anywhere.

The only piece that I liked was the final one by Suzanne Rhodenbaugh who manages to cover her long and illustriuous life in a spare 23 pages.

[Nathan Holic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not care for the first third of this collection. I was a little worried, but pretty quickly, the final two thirds offered several stories that really spoke to me.

“Presenting” by Emily Gray Tedrowe was fantastic, one of those stories that I thought I’d have to break apart (I had some house chores to do) but I just couldn’t put down until I finished. Sam Munson’s “Part Time Job” was also a standout, as was the maybe-purgatory based “Conversation with my Uncle.” Probably my favorite piece was “The Riff,” just a fantastic story of middle-aged malaise and fracturing identities. Suzanne Rodenbaugh’s “Decades” was also deeply felt, a chronicle of many years of dedication to literary arts and civic engagement that felt intensely readable and never pessimistic.

As with so many anthologies, a mixed bag depending upon your preferences, but some real gems, too.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

McSweeney's curates another great collection. This one has a lot of rough bits and trigger warnings (as is not uncommon), but I also found myself reading passages aloud to my partner and itching to get back to reading. "Part Time Job" by Sam Munson was one of the tensest things I've read in a long time, and Ashley Nelson Levy's "The Riff" spoke to me on the lasting intensity of female friendships especially the ones that have faded with time and distance.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mixed bag for me, but the strength of Part Time Job by Sam Munson would pull it up a star regardless. What a ride of a story, fully engaged, short, sweet, exactly what you want in the form and this anthology.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, as usual.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid collection, especially liked the Whitney Young teacher story

[Kevin Coleman, · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is on par with the usual. Great riders, great editing, great letters. I’ve been a subscriber for years and they never disappoint.