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Small Worlds: Flash Fiction and Microfiction
Small Worlds
Fiction & Microfiction
by Gail Vida Hamburg
Expansive Stories On Small Canvases
In Small Worlds, Gail Vida Hamburg delivers a collection of flash fiction and microfiction that captures the messy, often absurd architecture of human lives—compressed into moments of sharp beauty, sly humor, and unsettling truth.
From slow dances that never end, to customer service calls that turn into romances, to rebellious seniors plotting a great escape, these stories chronicle the intimate and the epic in miniature. Here, love is both a balm and a weapon. Loneliness births imaginary friends. Deviants justify cruelty with high-minded philosophy. And in the end, everyone is seeking—connection, redemption, or simply a way out.
With razor-sharp wit and unsparing insight, Small Worlds invites readers to peer into the condensed universes we each inhabit—worlds where longing, compulsion, invention, and self-rationale collide.
What’s the sum of a life? A moment. A sentence. A breath.
This collection of flash fiction and microfiction is a meditation on the art of compression and the expansive truths that reside in the smallest spaces.
Stories as Mughal Miniature Art and Rice Grain Paintings
Fiction & Microfiction
by Gail Vida Hamburg
Expansive Stories On Small Canvases
In Small Worlds, Gail Vida Hamburg delivers a collection of flash fiction and microfiction that captures the messy, often absurd architecture of human lives—compressed into moments of sharp beauty, sly humor, and unsettling truth.
From slow dances that never end, to customer service calls that turn into romances, to rebellious seniors plotting a great escape, these stories chronicle the intimate and the epic in miniature. Here, love is both a balm and a weapon. Loneliness births imaginary friends. Deviants justify cruelty with high-minded philosophy. And in the end, everyone is seeking—connection, redemption, or simply a way out.
With razor-sharp wit and unsparing insight, Small Worlds invites readers to peer into the condensed universes we each inhabit—worlds where longing, compulsion, invention, and self-rationale collide.
What’s the sum of a life? A moment. A sentence. A breath.
This collection of flash fiction and microfiction is a meditation on the art of compression and the expansive truths that reside in the smallest spaces.
Stories as Mughal Miniature Art and Rice Grain Paintings
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2025
2 people are currently reading
875 people want to read
About the author
Gail Vida Hamburg
3 books8 followersGail Vida Hamburg is a laureled novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. A first-generation American born in Malaysia, she spent half a life in England before emigrating to the U.S. Her writing is polycultural and socially engaged, often exploring identity, assimilation, the American Experience, and the intersections of personal and political history at home and abroad.
Her debut novel, The Edge of the World (Mirare Press, 2007), examines the impact of American foreign policy on individual lives. The novel was recognized by the Graham Greene Festival, The Spokesman (edited by the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation), and the 2008 James Fenimore Cooper Prize awarded by the American Society of Historians. It remains a frequently assigned text in university creative writing, postcolonial studies, and war studies programs in the U.S. and Asia.
Her second novel, Liberty Landing (Mirare Press, 2018), the first in a trilogy on the American Experiment and Experience, was a 2016 finalist for the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, recognized by the Palestine Book Awards, and nominated for the 2018 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.
Her latest book, Small Worlds (Mirare Press, 2025), is a collection of flash and microfiction that captures the compressed beauty, struggle, and emotional resonance of ordinary lives around the globe.
Gail holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Bennington College and lives in Southern California.
Her debut novel, The Edge of the World (Mirare Press, 2007), examines the impact of American foreign policy on individual lives. The novel was recognized by the Graham Greene Festival, The Spokesman (edited by the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation), and the 2008 James Fenimore Cooper Prize awarded by the American Society of Historians. It remains a frequently assigned text in university creative writing, postcolonial studies, and war studies programs in the U.S. and Asia.
Her second novel, Liberty Landing (Mirare Press, 2018), the first in a trilogy on the American Experiment and Experience, was a 2016 finalist for the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, recognized by the Palestine Book Awards, and nominated for the 2018 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.
Her latest book, Small Worlds (Mirare Press, 2025), is a collection of flash and microfiction that captures the compressed beauty, struggle, and emotional resonance of ordinary lives around the globe.
Gail holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Bennington College and lives in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 1, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an eARC.
This was a nice collection of short stories. I really enjoy reading anthologies but somehow this one didn't hit the mark for me. I think that was probably because I didn't really resonate with the themes in the book. I did enjoy some of them more, especially Signal Loss and The Lonely Passion of Helen B. The latter especially was quite wholesome and sad at the same time. My primary issue with the book was that it sounded a bit too preachy for my tastes. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short story collection set all over the world evoking a variety of emotions.
This was a nice collection of short stories. I really enjoy reading anthologies but somehow this one didn't hit the mark for me. I think that was probably because I didn't really resonate with the themes in the book. I did enjoy some of them more, especially Signal Loss and The Lonely Passion of Helen B. The latter especially was quite wholesome and sad at the same time. My primary issue with the book was that it sounded a bit too preachy for my tastes. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short story collection set all over the world evoking a variety of emotions.
September 6, 2025
It could be solid 4.75, but so many mentions of russian cities, language, culture... just why, God, why?
Small Worlds is a great title that fully shows what you get in these short stories. Each story is its separate small world, but together, they give our real world some meaning.
Each Small World differ. Some are made from love, others from hatred, and some have nothing but pain.
Racism in different ways, different cultures, acceptance, support, love, loss, pain. You can think of it - it is in the book.
It may be unpleasant, it may hurt, but all of that makes us alive.
And it resonates. That's what I call an alive literature.
Small Worlds is a great title that fully shows what you get in these short stories. Each story is its separate small world, but together, they give our real world some meaning.
It was the war that cracked me open.
Each Small World differ. Some are made from love, others from hatred, and some have nothing but pain.
Racism in different ways, different cultures, acceptance, support, love, loss, pain. You can think of it - it is in the book.
They weren't young. They weren't sleek. But they were defiantly, gloriously alive.
It may be unpleasant, it may hurt, but all of that makes us alive.
And it resonates. That's what I call an alive literature.
I'm so burnt, you know. From all the men I've invested energy in, who took so much from me and gave me so little back.
December 7, 2025
Do we always need a long book to tell a deep story? Many people think short stories are easy, but they are not. What if just a few words could hold the power of a whole chapter?
"Small Worlds: Flash Fiction and Microfiction" by Gail Vida Hamburg brings us into a carefully chosen group of short, powerful stories. The main goal of this book is to cut out every extra word. The author is committed to making her stories as short as possible. Hamburg wanted to find out how much feeling and plot she could fit into a very small frame. Her writing style is sharp and focused. A reader who is used to long books might feel challenged, but the author wants you to slow down and notice every detail.
Reading this book was difficult in a good way. The stories are focused, neat, and memorable. This book is great for anyone who wants to learn about writing. The short stories demand that the reader pay close attention and use their imagination. The book teaches a simple lesson that we need to keep challenging ourselves to look closely until we see the great power of a single, well-chosen image.
I truly respect the author for doing such a hard job. In the Author's Note, "Writing them is like carving intricate patterns into stone—every word must earn its place," shows how much work went into making even the smallest stories. The author is great at using small moments like a quick look or a single decision to show a character’s whole life. This different way of writing helps you feel connected to the high level of craft in the book.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I am removing one star only to give a small suggestion to the author: I think adding bigger spaces or grouping the stories by their theme would help the reader move between these powerful, tiny worlds. This is a small point about a great book, though. People who only like long, easy novels might find this fast pace hard to handle. But if you want to see how much power can be packed into a small amount of writing, you should definitely read this book.
"Small Worlds: Flash Fiction and Microfiction" by Gail Vida Hamburg brings us into a carefully chosen group of short, powerful stories. The main goal of this book is to cut out every extra word. The author is committed to making her stories as short as possible. Hamburg wanted to find out how much feeling and plot she could fit into a very small frame. Her writing style is sharp and focused. A reader who is used to long books might feel challenged, but the author wants you to slow down and notice every detail.
Reading this book was difficult in a good way. The stories are focused, neat, and memorable. This book is great for anyone who wants to learn about writing. The short stories demand that the reader pay close attention and use their imagination. The book teaches a simple lesson that we need to keep challenging ourselves to look closely until we see the great power of a single, well-chosen image.
I truly respect the author for doing such a hard job. In the Author's Note, "Writing them is like carving intricate patterns into stone—every word must earn its place," shows how much work went into making even the smallest stories. The author is great at using small moments like a quick look or a single decision to show a character’s whole life. This different way of writing helps you feel connected to the high level of craft in the book.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I am removing one star only to give a small suggestion to the author: I think adding bigger spaces or grouping the stories by their theme would help the reader move between these powerful, tiny worlds. This is a small point about a great book, though. People who only like long, easy novels might find this fast pace hard to handle. But if you want to see how much power can be packed into a small amount of writing, you should definitely read this book.
September 19, 2025
Delving into the world of Flash Fiction and Microfiction
Small World’s by Gail Vida Hamburg is a collection of flash fiction/microfiction that give the reader brief glimpses into the lives of the individuals being written about. Each flash fiction/microfiction, is compact and delves just deep enough into each character to whet your appetite and leave you wanting for more. As someone who regularly reads longer, complex novels, this was a refreshing break from my usual fare. In each of the flash fiction/microfiction, the characters were well developed and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journeys. While some held my interest more than others, I would definitely be interested in reading a full story if any of the flash fiction/microfiction were continued into full length novels.
Many readers will find this the ideal format as time is in such short supply, and reading is not always a priority. With this collection the reader gets to experience a wide variety of stories without having to commit to reading an entire novel. As you work your way through, you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you become enmeshed in the lives of the characters and invested in the outcome. With some, I was left wanting for more, and I am sure there are others who read them will feel the same. Small World’s has something for readers from all around the world, touching on a variety of cultures and interests encompassing cities internationally as well as locally. Showing the author's vast knowledge and appreciation for the nuances of cultural differences.
Small World’s by Gail Vida Hamburg is a collection of flash fiction/microfiction that give the reader brief glimpses into the lives of the individuals being written about. Each flash fiction/microfiction, is compact and delves just deep enough into each character to whet your appetite and leave you wanting for more. As someone who regularly reads longer, complex novels, this was a refreshing break from my usual fare. In each of the flash fiction/microfiction, the characters were well developed and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journeys. While some held my interest more than others, I would definitely be interested in reading a full story if any of the flash fiction/microfiction were continued into full length novels.
Many readers will find this the ideal format as time is in such short supply, and reading is not always a priority. With this collection the reader gets to experience a wide variety of stories without having to commit to reading an entire novel. As you work your way through, you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you become enmeshed in the lives of the characters and invested in the outcome. With some, I was left wanting for more, and I am sure there are others who read them will feel the same. Small World’s has something for readers from all around the world, touching on a variety of cultures and interests encompassing cities internationally as well as locally. Showing the author's vast knowledge and appreciation for the nuances of cultural differences.
October 29, 2025
I recently read "Small Worlds," a collection of short stories by Gail Vida Hamburg, and I found it deeply touching and thought-provoking. The stories are small in form but big in meaning, showing life’s important moments and emotions in just a few pages. Each story felt like a tiny world I could step into – with characters facing loneliness, love, loss, and hope. The writing is clear and powerful, making me feel connected to diverse lives and places, from London to Lebanon to America.
What I really liked about the book was how it explored human feelings in a very honest and sometimes raw way. The author focuses on moments that seem simple but carry a lot of weight — like a first love, a heartbreak, or a sense of belonging. The range of stories is wide, and each brought a different voice and theme, which kept me engaged throughout. Some stories had humor, some had sadness, and many made me think about how people cope with challenges in life through fantasy, resilience, or connection.
Overall, "Small Worlds" is a beautiful example of how flash fiction can be so meaningful. Gail Vida Hamburg shows a great skill at packing depth into brief stories and making every word count. I recommend this book to anyone who loves short, powerful fiction that captures human experience in thoughtful, creative ways. It left me reflecting on the small but precious parts of life we all share, even if separated by culture or distance. It’s a collection that I believe will stay with me for a long time.
What I really liked about the book was how it explored human feelings in a very honest and sometimes raw way. The author focuses on moments that seem simple but carry a lot of weight — like a first love, a heartbreak, or a sense of belonging. The range of stories is wide, and each brought a different voice and theme, which kept me engaged throughout. Some stories had humor, some had sadness, and many made me think about how people cope with challenges in life through fantasy, resilience, or connection.
Overall, "Small Worlds" is a beautiful example of how flash fiction can be so meaningful. Gail Vida Hamburg shows a great skill at packing depth into brief stories and making every word count. I recommend this book to anyone who loves short, powerful fiction that captures human experience in thoughtful, creative ways. It left me reflecting on the small but precious parts of life we all share, even if separated by culture or distance. It’s a collection that I believe will stay with me for a long time.
August 4, 2025
Gail Vida Hamburg’s Small Worlds is a masterclass in literary precision, delivering an unforgettable collection of flash fiction and microfiction that pulses with emotional intensity, dark humor, and raw insight. Each story is a compact universe—rich with meaning, alive with contradiction, and brimming with the fragile architecture of human experience.
Hamburg has an uncanny ability to distill complex lives into just a few lines or paragraphs, without ever sacrificing depth or nuance. From romantic mishaps and rebellious aging to imagined friendships and philosophical cruelty, the stories range from whimsical to devastating. And yet, they always ring true. Every word counts, every sentence hits.
Reading Small Worlds feels like holding a prism up to life—brief flashes of light and color revealing moments of longing, absurdity, redemption, and quiet heartbreak. This is literature as miniaturist art: exquisitely detailed, gorgeously compressed, and endlessly revealing.
For fans of Lydia Davis or Etgar Keret, or anyone who believes that the smallest stories can carry the heaviest truths, Small Worlds is a rare gem—an elegant meditation on the moments that define us.
Hamburg has an uncanny ability to distill complex lives into just a few lines or paragraphs, without ever sacrificing depth or nuance. From romantic mishaps and rebellious aging to imagined friendships and philosophical cruelty, the stories range from whimsical to devastating. And yet, they always ring true. Every word counts, every sentence hits.
Reading Small Worlds feels like holding a prism up to life—brief flashes of light and color revealing moments of longing, absurdity, redemption, and quiet heartbreak. This is literature as miniaturist art: exquisitely detailed, gorgeously compressed, and endlessly revealing.
For fans of Lydia Davis or Etgar Keret, or anyone who believes that the smallest stories can carry the heaviest truths, Small Worlds is a rare gem—an elegant meditation on the moments that define us.
July 30, 2025
Small Worlds is a beautifully written book, composed of twenty five short literary fiction stories. Witty, unique, real, and captivating are four words I would use to describe this book because I couldn’t pick just three. I enjoyed reading every last story in this book. My favorite story was “Signal Loss” about a woman who calls about her WiFi connection and ends up falling for their AI assistant. If you want some unique stories to read I highly recommend Small Worlds. It’ll definitely draw you in.
November 19, 2025
In this collection of short stories there were quite a few engaging stories but then others that missed the mark for me and fell flat.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy.
October 5, 2025
There might be a period of time where life must be under a microscopic view. Gail Vida Hamburg's Small Worlds: Flash Fiction and Microfiction will halt readers to lead and help in contemplation.
Consisting of over twenty flash fictions in one-sitting, they come with various themes and inspiring characters like in Chalice of Fire, Imprinting, The Fabulist, The Trouble With Bianca, and Great Escape, to name some. They have completely different settings and different plots that will devour readers on exciting transitions.
Small Worlds: Flash Fiction and Microfiction are doors to myriads of faces, ideas, insights and understandings on various complexities. Nothing but praises to a brilliant author, spot-on in trying to convey some specific messages. Personal favorites are the teens' welfare in The Trouble With Bianca, the sweet old age stage in Great Escape and a meaningful life story in Go Gentle Into This Morning. Characters like Bianca, Greta, Irv and Elias are strong and remarkable representations in the story. Hence, I give a well-deserving and justifiable five-star rate on this brilliant writing with the remarks above.
I proudly recommend to all readers, not just to aficionados of this genre but for the young readers' guiding tool to be pathfinders of their own better future and for adults alike for new and different perspectives, insights and inspirations in life's challenging undertakings.
Consisting of over twenty flash fictions in one-sitting, they come with various themes and inspiring characters like in Chalice of Fire, Imprinting, The Fabulist, The Trouble With Bianca, and Great Escape, to name some. They have completely different settings and different plots that will devour readers on exciting transitions.
Small Worlds: Flash Fiction and Microfiction are doors to myriads of faces, ideas, insights and understandings on various complexities. Nothing but praises to a brilliant author, spot-on in trying to convey some specific messages. Personal favorites are the teens' welfare in The Trouble With Bianca, the sweet old age stage in Great Escape and a meaningful life story in Go Gentle Into This Morning. Characters like Bianca, Greta, Irv and Elias are strong and remarkable representations in the story. Hence, I give a well-deserving and justifiable five-star rate on this brilliant writing with the remarks above.
I proudly recommend to all readers, not just to aficionados of this genre but for the young readers' guiding tool to be pathfinders of their own better future and for adults alike for new and different perspectives, insights and inspirations in life's challenging undertakings.
July 31, 2025
Vida Hamberg said she wanted to capture a whole story in a short format. Well she has succeeded in doing that with this collection. In these pages you’ll find profound stories though micro in words, they are large in their ability to evoke emotion. These tiny literary windows take us all over the world, while delivering heaping doses of sorrow, love, and even a laugh.Other proof of the author’s clever story telling is how in some stories she managed to relate the whole tale through just letters. I found it quotable which is a good sign of a book staying with me. If you love bite sized stories that span the globe and pack a punch I recommend Small Worlds.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews