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The Good Eye
A major debut collection of globe-spanning stories set in the worlds of art, crime, and fantasy, by an exceptionally elegant and mischievous storyteller.
A stone appears in a woman’s pocket like a charm only to end up lodged in someone else’s throat. A condescending artist throws a dinner party with his too-square wife, only to learn too late that she is far more daring than he ever imagined. A young and besotted apprentice haunts her mentor’s lover after a stinging betrayal.
In The Good Eye, the world can change in an instant. The beautiful turns grotesque, the exalted becomes the disgraced, the genius an imposter. Contradictory forces confront the men and women of Gibson’s collection, as they wrestle with the limits of perception.
Pulsing with style and vibrancy, The Good Eye takes readers on an unforgettable journey, without ever giving in to easy answers, and announces the arrival of a prodigious new talent.
A stone appears in a woman’s pocket like a charm only to end up lodged in someone else’s throat. A condescending artist throws a dinner party with his too-square wife, only to learn too late that she is far more daring than he ever imagined. A young and besotted apprentice haunts her mentor’s lover after a stinging betrayal.
In The Good Eye, the world can change in an instant. The beautiful turns grotesque, the exalted becomes the disgraced, the genius an imposter. Contradictory forces confront the men and women of Gibson’s collection, as they wrestle with the limits of perception.
Pulsing with style and vibrancy, The Good Eye takes readers on an unforgettable journey, without ever giving in to easy answers, and announces the arrival of a prodigious new talent.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published May 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Want to Read
November 1, 2025Today, November 1, 2025, I read Lisa Allardice's wonderful interview with Margaret Atwood in The Guardian where I discovered that Jess Gibson is her daughter and this book of short stories is Jess' debut novel. I'd like to read it.
Want to Read
May 10, 2026Thank you to Cardinal for the copy of this - short story collections are my favourite way to give new authors a whirl!
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May 1, 2026thank you cardinal and netgalley for the digital arc!! full review to come!!
May 13, 2026
While these are mostly less stories and more the presentation of characters in situations, I have to say I enjoyed this short collection.
Read
May 15, 2026Eerie. Clever. The attentive reader is sure to be pleased by Jess Gibson's jewelbox perspective puzzles.
April 5, 2026
Thank you, Cardinal, for the early copy!
The Good Eye will be out 05/12/2026.
This short story collection blew my mind. Really clever and eerie. It felt like I was watching a version of Black Mirror and White Lotus (in the best possible way). I really liked Pest Control, Linear A, The Good Eye, and Clairvoyance. I am amazed by her prose. For example, in the first story, Pest Control, the context and conflict of the story were presented to you in a way that didn't feel rushed; two pages in, you already know what's going on and can't stop reading. It makes the collection really enjoyable because there are other collections that don't take the time to help you understand, while this collection tells you the story without holding your hand to keep up but also without leaving you behind.
This is an extremely impressive debut short story collection. Jess Gibson knows how to write stories that captivate and transport you. I can't wait to see what else she does in the future. This book left me wanting more from her writing; I need a novel!
The Good Eye will be out 05/12/2026.
This short story collection blew my mind. Really clever and eerie. It felt like I was watching a version of Black Mirror and White Lotus (in the best possible way). I really liked Pest Control, Linear A, The Good Eye, and Clairvoyance. I am amazed by her prose. For example, in the first story, Pest Control, the context and conflict of the story were presented to you in a way that didn't feel rushed; two pages in, you already know what's going on and can't stop reading. It makes the collection really enjoyable because there are other collections that don't take the time to help you understand, while this collection tells you the story without holding your hand to keep up but also without leaving you behind.
This is an extremely impressive debut short story collection. Jess Gibson knows how to write stories that captivate and transport you. I can't wait to see what else she does in the future. This book left me wanting more from her writing; I need a novel!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance copy of this short story collection with characters dealing with past mistakes, future mistakes, people with abilities, and people with the ability to ruin everything around them.
I read a lot of short stories as a young reader, mainly because I could find so many old magazines at the numerous tag sales and book sales my parents bought me to. Most of what I read was genre related, and were clear in what the offered. Mystery tales, fantasy tales and science fiction. Many seemed familiar, my first experience with the fix-up story where many writers would create a short story, and stretch it out later into novel form. I remember getting a bunch of old Paris Reviews at the library not knowing these were literary stories and being surprised by what I had found. These stories didn't have a clear mystery, no first contact. Many didn't even have an ending, a few didn't really have a story. What I did notice was the skill it took to create a good short story. To create a world, characters and a situation that made the reader interested and invested in the outcome. And have it end in a few pages. A skill that the author of this book has, and one that makes me excited to read more by. The Good Eye by Jess Gibson is a collection of stories about people and a world that seems familiar, and yet is full of magic, miscommunication, legends and myths and by a longing to belong, no matter the cost.
The book features twelve stories all about the same length give or take a few pages. The world might be our own, with some slight exceptions. The first story is a tale about a condominium, a worried mother and a pet psychic with a true gift, and a sense of revenge. The second is a tale of man, a woman, a rock and a relationship that seems doomed on so many levels, and what the woman learns about herself. One of my favorites is Blue Circle about the wife of a famous artist who helps make his career not in way she expected, but in her own talents. This is a stealthy tale that hits hard at the end, and one that surprised me.
As in any collection some stories didn't agree with me, but as the saying goes results may vary. I thought this was a strong collection, each story different than the last, with different themes, and really great ideas. Gibson has a really nice way of developing characters, of creating worlds that seem to be ours, and yet are slightly different. Either magical, such as a psychic pet woman, or just askew in different ways. Not all the stories have twist endings, some endings are left to the reader. Though many of these are stories I would like to read more about.
A really strong collection, and one that I quite enjoyed. This was my first reading of Gibson, but I really enjoyed what I read and can't wait to read more.
I read a lot of short stories as a young reader, mainly because I could find so many old magazines at the numerous tag sales and book sales my parents bought me to. Most of what I read was genre related, and were clear in what the offered. Mystery tales, fantasy tales and science fiction. Many seemed familiar, my first experience with the fix-up story where many writers would create a short story, and stretch it out later into novel form. I remember getting a bunch of old Paris Reviews at the library not knowing these were literary stories and being surprised by what I had found. These stories didn't have a clear mystery, no first contact. Many didn't even have an ending, a few didn't really have a story. What I did notice was the skill it took to create a good short story. To create a world, characters and a situation that made the reader interested and invested in the outcome. And have it end in a few pages. A skill that the author of this book has, and one that makes me excited to read more by. The Good Eye by Jess Gibson is a collection of stories about people and a world that seems familiar, and yet is full of magic, miscommunication, legends and myths and by a longing to belong, no matter the cost.
The book features twelve stories all about the same length give or take a few pages. The world might be our own, with some slight exceptions. The first story is a tale about a condominium, a worried mother and a pet psychic with a true gift, and a sense of revenge. The second is a tale of man, a woman, a rock and a relationship that seems doomed on so many levels, and what the woman learns about herself. One of my favorites is Blue Circle about the wife of a famous artist who helps make his career not in way she expected, but in her own talents. This is a stealthy tale that hits hard at the end, and one that surprised me.
As in any collection some stories didn't agree with me, but as the saying goes results may vary. I thought this was a strong collection, each story different than the last, with different themes, and really great ideas. Gibson has a really nice way of developing characters, of creating worlds that seem to be ours, and yet are slightly different. Either magical, such as a psychic pet woman, or just askew in different ways. Not all the stories have twist endings, some endings are left to the reader. Though many of these are stories I would like to read more about.
A really strong collection, and one that I quite enjoyed. This was my first reading of Gibson, but I really enjoyed what I read and can't wait to read more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Anticipated Release date: may 12, 2026
Genre: fiction (short stories)
Series: standalone
This is a collection of twelve short stories, and even though each story stands on its own, they all center around women, which I appreciated.
As with other short story collections that I've read, some stories resonated with me more than others. My favorites were “Linear A,” “Intake,” “Our Lady of the Moonlight,” and “Flip.” These stories felt the most engaging to me and left the strongest impression.
There were also a couple of stories that didn’t work as well for me, particularly “Cushion Cut” and “The Hunt (but good for you, Jenny).” I found myself feeling bored during these and was ready to move on to the next story before they were finished.
My main hindrance with the collection, however, was the endings. For the majority of the twelve stories, the conclusions felt very abrupt. I often reached the final page expecting just a little more resolution. Even one or two additional pages might have helped some of the narratives feel more complete and satisfying.
Nonetheless, I think this is a good debut, and I will be open to exploring her other works in the future.
Thank you, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: fiction (short stories)
Series: standalone
This is a collection of twelve short stories, and even though each story stands on its own, they all center around women, which I appreciated.
As with other short story collections that I've read, some stories resonated with me more than others. My favorites were “Linear A,” “Intake,” “Our Lady of the Moonlight,” and “Flip.” These stories felt the most engaging to me and left the strongest impression.
There were also a couple of stories that didn’t work as well for me, particularly “Cushion Cut” and “The Hunt (but good for you, Jenny).” I found myself feeling bored during these and was ready to move on to the next story before they were finished.
My main hindrance with the collection, however, was the endings. For the majority of the twelve stories, the conclusions felt very abrupt. I often reached the final page expecting just a little more resolution. Even one or two additional pages might have helped some of the narratives feel more complete and satisfying.
Nonetheless, I think this is a good debut, and I will be open to exploring her other works in the future.
Thank you, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2026
This is the first short story collection I've read this year, and it reminded me how much I enjoy them. I was looking for a collection, and this is getting a lot of buzz which is a bit anomalous for a book that is both Canadian and short stories. About 70% of the way through, I did learn that Jess Gibson is Margaret Atwood's daughter and I wish I had remained ignorant. I can't help seeing it within that lens now and acknowledging that at least some of the hype comes from her pedigree.
All of that said, I thought this was an above average anthology. I breezed through the stories, all of which felt accessible while managing to have a moment of surprising emotional impact. The stories felt cohesive without becoming staid, and the titular story was by far the standout. I am not sure this is a favourite just because I doubt any of the details will stick with me a month of from, so despite enjoying my time with this book, my final impression is that it feels a bit forgettable.
All of that said, I thought this was an above average anthology. I breezed through the stories, all of which felt accessible while managing to have a moment of surprising emotional impact. The stories felt cohesive without becoming staid, and the titular story was by far the standout. I am not sure this is a favourite just because I doubt any of the details will stick with me a month of from, so despite enjoying my time with this book, my final impression is that it feels a bit forgettable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The Good Eye" is competently written and occasionally intriguing but too often the stories feel like sketches rather than fully realized narrative, a little too flat for me, and any sense of a plot is nonexistent: a few things happen and then they end. The title story is intriguing with its art-world "twist," , but then nothing comes from that, no conflict, no tension. Surely anyone can string a few scenes together? I want something more.
Without escalation, conflict, or meaningful consequence, the collection feels a little inert. It's as though gesture alone were enough. There's talent here, certainly, and sharp premises, but I wanted more propulsion and tension, I wanted the stories to be building toward something rather than simply fading out.
Without escalation, conflict, or meaningful consequence, the collection feels a little inert. It's as though gesture alone were enough. There's talent here, certainly, and sharp premises, but I wanted more propulsion and tension, I wanted the stories to be building toward something rather than simply fading out.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
unfortunately, this short story collection wasn't for me. for the most part, I felt really meh about the majority of the stories. 😭
I was either too stupid to understand the point of each of them, or they were genuinely just really banal. however, I do think that maybe I'm just the wrong audience. this book is definitely for a specific group of people.
these are my ratings of them:
• pest control — 2⭐️
• linear a — 2.5⭐️
• cushion cut — 3⭐️
• intake — 2.5⭐️
• the good eye — 2⭐️
• wild food — 2⭐️
• our lady of the moonlight — 2.5⭐️
• clairvoyance — 4⭐️
• flip — 2.5⭐️
• the hunt — 1⭐️
• light tricks — 2⭐️
• blue circle — 3⭐️
I was either too stupid to understand the point of each of them, or they were genuinely just really banal. however, I do think that maybe I'm just the wrong audience. this book is definitely for a specific group of people.
these are my ratings of them:
• pest control — 2⭐️
• linear a — 2.5⭐️
• cushion cut — 3⭐️
• intake — 2.5⭐️
• the good eye — 2⭐️
• wild food — 2⭐️
• our lady of the moonlight — 2.5⭐️
• clairvoyance — 4⭐️
• flip — 2.5⭐️
• the hunt — 1⭐️
• light tricks — 2⭐️
• blue circle — 3⭐️
May 17, 2026
The Good Eye
Jess Gibson
Publication Date: May 12, 2026
ARC courtesy of Cardinal and NetGalley.
Jess Gibson’s debut, The Good Eye, is a collection of short stories with memorable women trying to break out of gender roles. The stories are very atmospheric, with surrealism and distorted reality, as well as elements of the supernatural. Gibson’s writing is spare and restrained, and many of the stories end with an ambiguity some readers may find frustrating. I myself prefer some questions left unanswered, and found myself ruminating on them long after finishing the book. A very strong debut. I look forward to more from Jess Gibson.
Jess Gibson
Publication Date: May 12, 2026
ARC courtesy of Cardinal and NetGalley.
Jess Gibson’s debut, The Good Eye, is a collection of short stories with memorable women trying to break out of gender roles. The stories are very atmospheric, with surrealism and distorted reality, as well as elements of the supernatural. Gibson’s writing is spare and restrained, and many of the stories end with an ambiguity some readers may find frustrating. I myself prefer some questions left unanswered, and found myself ruminating on them long after finishing the book. A very strong debut. I look forward to more from Jess Gibson.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Apparently this is Margaret Atwood's daughter, which is interesting.
I would give this collection ***½. Decent short stories and I liked the writing. I'm not sure this book would be for someone looking for a page-turner experience or someone who isn't really into short stories. Perhaps the pacing was a bit slow? I am personally OK with short stories that on the slower paced side.
{owned, paperback, won in a GR giveaway}
I would give this collection ***½. Decent short stories and I liked the writing. I'm not sure this book would be for someone looking for a page-turner experience or someone who isn't really into short stories. Perhaps the pacing was a bit slow? I am personally OK with short stories that on the slower paced side.
{owned, paperback, won in a GR giveaway}
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Margaret Atwood and Graham Gibson for creating Jess Gibson.
This series of short stories is beautiful. The final line of the last story sums up the whole collection: "A thing is never seen as it really is."
Each story is atmospheric; a sleight of hand creating tension and synchronicity.
I can't wait for the next book!
This series of short stories is beautiful. The final line of the last story sums up the whole collection: "A thing is never seen as it really is."
Each story is atmospheric; a sleight of hand creating tension and synchronicity.
I can't wait for the next book!
Read
May 19, 2026An interesting collection of stories - a bit uneven, some really great, some only mildly interesting.
Clearly see the family influence in the types of stories and way they are told.
3.5 rounded up to 4
Clearly see the family influence in the types of stories and way they are told.
3.5 rounded up to 4
May 24, 2026
It took a second read to get into this collection, but once I did, I understood what all the fuss was about. Gibson is a skilled writer when it comes to imagery and she makes the most of the short fiction format for each story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
tbr-arc
January 15, 2026beautiful and grotesque sounds like a Ryan Murphy work, exactly in my zone
*thank you to Cardinal for the ARC*
*thank you to Cardinal for the ARC*
April 3, 2026
Thank you to Vintage for sending me a proof.
I thought Pest Control was fab and I still enjoyed the other stories but none jumped out to me. I felt the endings were often a bit rushed.
I thought Pest Control was fab and I still enjoyed the other stories but none jumped out to me. I felt the endings were often a bit rushed.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The book was okay, just not my type of book
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
While this was a quick read and I enjoyed the writing, this collection of short stories was not for me. They ended abruptly and a few I struggled to understand where the author was going.
May 15, 2026
The Last Story ("Blue Circle") was go0d.
May 17, 2026
a 2026 favorite
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
3.5
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews