Undoing: Stories

by Kim Magowan

In Kim Magowan’s aptly titled debut short-story collection, Undoing , characters are frequently caught with their eyes on the past, trying to discern where it all went wrong, whether that concerns a marriage that survives infidelity only to fade later into oblivion or the premature termination of an affair. A young girl hopes to make sense of her seduction by the father of the child she babysits, while a new wife surveys her youthful indiscretions for clues as to how to forge an emotional bond with her anorexic stepdaughter. Through it all, struggles become universal, perhaps inevitable. Characters often older, wiser, seeking to break the cycle of dysfunction. The ultimate effect is a feeling of community, of shared mistakes, leaving the individuals lonely but not alone.

In this way, Magowan’s collection moves well beyond reflection. Ignoring the wreckage of their respective pasts, her characters are willing to look ahead, to try again. Indeed, there is much pain and lasting harm to go around, but these are curious, resilient people, open to the idea that the solutions, not just the problems, lie within. They hope, despite much evidence to the contrary, that they can undo what has been done.

Genres: Short Stories

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2018

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover is perfect! These short, smart stories cut like the sharpest knives.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by someone who wields a scalpel but has a generous heart, these elegant stories are masterful at homing in on the pivot points in relationships, the moments when betrayal begins (or ends). Magowan is eloquent in her depiction of the emotional turmoil endemic to intimate relationships. And she's masterful at metaphor. These are all great reads. I look forward to her next book!

[Amanda Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Kim Magowan’s writing. Her stories are edgy, her flawed characters balancing desire, betrayal, anger and love.

[Jan Stinchcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not enough to say that I read Kim Magowan's collection, which is easily one of the best of 2018: I had a love affair with this exquisite, perfectly paced book. I knew Magowan was a master since I've followed her online for years. Reading a full collection is overwhelming because of her skill and range and because there's nothing like earned emotion, especially when we find it in short form fiction. Readers will enjoy drawing this out over several days, for while the stories are on the short side, they are substantial. Writers will admire the overall construction of the book, a blend of flash and longer pieces, with an undeniable narrative arc, and yes, the final story combines, miraculously, a wedding and a breakup.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Macgowan’s collection is chock full of stories that make you think and characters with whom you can empathize, despite their transgressions. Within the 29 stories that make up the book, we meet a man grieving the son he never wanted, a writer raising a daughter on her own, conjuring several different endings to her daughter’s story, couples coming together or splitting apart. “Undoing” is the perfect title for this collection. The stories are rich and vivid, filled with moments you may wish the characters could undo, but instead they carry on and look to the future, leaving readers with a semblance of hope.

[Michelle Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim's writing is simply stellar. These stories are unflinching in their observations and hard truths, and they are fiercely smart. The prose is gorgeous and full of wit.

[Al Kratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories mixed in length and pace.

The strength is in its characters. Deep instances of life focusing on relationships forming and broken and full of images that mix the bittersweet in new powerful ways such as doggy style while thinking about the little train who could....I love it’s play with the dual meaning of its images and words: undone, sorried,

All of these things come together to address archetypical life in fresh and insightful ways.

Great companion to her novel that came out this year.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough collection of stories that focus on miserable fucking and people who are fucking miserable. All of the stories dwell on or are the product of cheating on boyfriends, girlfriends or spouses and the fall out that occurs. Most are quite well written, but Magowan's hyper focus and particular style can get wearying. Still there are some barn burners here.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, well-written, powerful stories, with primary focus on the relationships between men and women, and how those relationships go wrong, the ways in which we fail to connect or connect in harmful ways.

[Jonathan Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic short stories, the best collection I’ve read in a long time. Most of the stories collected here are very short and it’s remarkable how much Kim Magowan accomplishes in so few words. Stop whatever you’re doing and read Kim Magowan’s short stories.

[Michele Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS COLLECTION!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterful collection that explores the recesses of the human heart and mind in exquisite prose.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these stories!

[Mills College Library]

Fiction M212u 2018