Termination Shocks

by Janice Margolis

"Each of the stories in Janice Margolis’s Termination Shocks presents a vision of reality fractured into strangeness, yet eerily familiar. This is a singular collection from a truly skilled new voice in fiction."
—Sabina Murray, author of Valiant Gentlemen: A Novel

"A vigorous and inspired collection of unique fiction, widely roaming, wildly unreeling, with cracks so wide a lion enters. Janice Margolis is a fearless and compassionate writer of impressive scope and cogency."
—Rikki Ducornet, author of Brightfellow: A Novel and The Deep Zoo

In astronomy, the termination shock is the boundary that marks the outer limits of the sun's influence -- the ripple outward of our solar wind and its collision with the interstellar medium. This debut collection of stories evokes those moments when lives are unpredictably shaken and reset by forces beyond their grasp.

Making use of a diverse array of narrative modes, settings, and voices, these stories traverse space and time, moving from Egypt during the Second World War to modern-day Liberia and an unfamiliar Los Angeles. The title story, "Termination Shock," offers a lyrical exploration of two traumatic moments in a woman's life that occur decades apart and continue to reverberate in humorous and poignant ways. Janice Margolis shows us characters on the precipice of change -- including a narrator in fevered quarantine following the death of her mother from Ebola, a cross-cultural love in a swiftly transforming Syria, and the desolation of the Berlin Wall, which from its various sectors and coordinates, confesses its crimes and mourns its destruction.

258 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2019

About the author

JANICE MARGOLIS is a Los Angeles–based writer, choreographer, and filmmaker. The recipient of Massachusetts Artists Foundation and Irish Film Board grants, her work has been reviewed in the New York Times, Dance Magazine, and the Boston Globe, and presented by Harvard University’s Fogg Art Museum and Boston University.

Reviews

[John D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book collection of superb stories from a well-deserved Juniper Prize-winning author. The author's theme of termination shocks includes a wide variety events and locations that change people or leave them reset - from 21 days in Africa, to a requiem for the Berlin Wall, to a lovely and funny walk through Los Angeles, to a Middle East excavation in Ebla - cogent on many levels for today. The writing is crisp, intelligent, and deeply heartfelt. Highly recommended.

[Roube · Rating 5 out of 5]

Termination Shocks completely caught me off guard. I expected strong writing, but I didn’t expect to feel this emotionally invested in every story. Janice Margolis has a quiet confidence that makes you lean in rather than rush ahead. This is exactly the kind of thoughtful, layered book that notyouraveragebookclub exists for one that opens up deeper conversations and stays with you long after the final page.

[Patson]

As members of NotYourAverageBookClub, we choose books that challenge us emotionally and intellectually, and Termination Shocks exceeded every expectation. This collection sparked some of the deepest conversations we’ve ever had as a group. Janice Margolis writes with such care, insight, and emotional clarity that every story feels personal, even when set worlds away. We didn’t just read this book,we lived with it.

[Henry Philips]

As members of Not Your Average Book Club, we were immediately drawn into Termination Shocks by Janice Margolis for its originality and emotional depth. This collection explores moments when lives are disrupted by forces beyond personal control, and each story handles these shifts with intelligence and care. The writing is lyrical without being excessive, and every piece feels intentional. This was a book that stayed with us well beyond our discussions.

[gloria kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book exceeded the expectations of Not Your Average Book Club as a featured read. Each story brings a distinct voice, yet all are connected by themes of change, loss, and resilience. Janice Margolis’s prose is precise and evocative, making even difficult subjects feel accessible and necessary. Members of Not Your Average Book Club found this collection to be an outstanding literary experience.

[George Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Termination Shocks by Janice Margolis is a masterful collection of stories that explores the fragility and resilience of human experience. Not Your Average Book Club was deeply impressed by the precision of her prose and the universality of her themes, from grief and trauma to love and cultural displacement. Each story resonates long after reading, making this collection an essential feature pick.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about Termination Shocks was how human it felt. These stories don’t try to impress; they simply tell the truth, gently and honestly. There were moments I had to pause and sit with what I’d read. It’s no surprise this resonated so strongly with notyouraveragebookclub, where books like this spark real emotion and meaningful discussion.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about Termination Shocks was how human it felt. These stories don’t try to impress; they simply tell the truth, gently and honestly. There were moments I had to pause and sit with what I’d read. It’s no surprise this resonated so strongly with notyouraveragebookclub, where books like this spark real emotion and meaningful discussion.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Termination Shocks is the kind of book that creeps up on you. You don’t realise how deeply it’s affected you until you find yourself thinking about it days later. The writing is restrained but incredibly moving. This is exactly why I love reading with notyouraveragebookcluB books like this deserve space, time, and conversation.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a quiet emotional intelligence running through this entire collection. Janice Margolis trusts her readers, and that trust pays off. I found myself emotionally connected to characters in just a few pages. Sharing this book with notyouraveragebookclub made me appreciate it even more, as everyone noticed different details and themes.

[George Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Termination Shocks became our featured read at NotYourAverageBookClub, we knew it would be special, but we weren’t prepared for how powerful it would be. The stories linger, echo, and quietly demand reflection. Margolis has a way of capturing grief and transformation that feels honest and deeply human. This book stayed with us long after our meeting ended.

[Alice]

NotYourAverageBookClub absolutely fell in love with this collection. Each story felt intentional, beautifully written, and emotionally rich. The range of settings and voices kept our discussions lively, but it was the emotional depth that truly united us. This is the kind of book that brings a book club closer together.

[Darcy Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Termination Shocks proved to be an excellent feature for our book club. The range of settings, voices, and themes made for rich conversation and reflection. Janice Margolis has a remarkable ability to capture complex emotions with subtlety, allowing readers to connect deeply with her characters. This collection is thoughtful, imaginative, and deeply human.

[Imogen Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out most to us as a club was how confidently this collection moves across time and geography while remaining cohesive. From deeply personal moments to broader historical contexts, Margolis writes with compassion and clarity. Termination Shocks is not a passive read,it invites attention, thought, and meaningful discussion.

[Laia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Not Your Average Book Club, we seek books that challenge us, and Termination Shocks did exactly that. The stories are layered, emotionally honest, and often quietly powerful. The title story in particular generated thoughtful conversation among Not Your Average Book Club members. This is a collection that rewards slow, attentive reading and deep reflection.

[raya grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a rare balance in Termination Shocks between intellectual depth and emotional resonance. Janice Margolis explores trauma, memory, and transformation with sensitivity and originality. Each story felt purposeful, and none overstayed its welcome. The experience of reading this collection brought a meaningful discussion for Not Your Average Book Club.

[Steve Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Termination Shocks is exactly the kind of book Not Your Average Book Club aims to feature—bold, well-written, and thought-provoking. The global scope of the stories broadened our perspective, while the intimate character work kept us grounded. This collection sparked some of our most engaging discussions to date within Not Your Average Book Club.

[Steve Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janice Margolis demonstrates exceptional control of language and structure throughout Termination Shocks. The stories feel both carefully crafted and emotionally authentic. Members of Not Your Average Book Club appreciated how each piece opened space for reflection on identity, history, and human connection.

[Henry Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Your Average Book Club found Termination Shocks to be a compelling exploration of human vulnerability and adaptability. The title story exemplifies Margolis’s skill in juxtaposing temporal shifts and emotional continuity, creating a narrative architecture that is both innovative and profoundly affecting.

[Daniel Shriver · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Not Your Average Book Club, Termination Shocks offered a uniquely layered literary experience. Margolis moves fluidly across continents and decades, delivering narratives that are at once intimate and expansive. Her ability to render complex emotional landscapes with clarity and depth makes this collection exemplary in contemporary literary fiction.

[Sophia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

In featuring Termination Shocks, Not Your Average Book Club celebrated a collection that blends elegance of language with courage in subject matter. Margolis’s stories confront loss, historical upheaval, and personal transformation with an artistry that engages readers intellectually and emotionally alike.

[Lily Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Termination Shocks demonstrates Janice Margolis’s gift for rendering human experience with both precision and empathy. Not Your Average Book Club found each story meticulously crafted, with careful attention to voice, setting, and the subtle interplay of memory and perception, making it a standout literary collection.

[Grace Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Your Average Book Club was captivated by Margolis’s range and command of narrative in Termination Shocks. The stories traverse global histories and intimate lives, balancing the specificity of place and culture with the universal challenges of identity, loss, and renewal. This collection is sophisticated, thought-provoking, and thoroughly memorable.

[Ethan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Termination Shocks is a collection that exemplifies the power of contemporary literary fiction. For Not Your Average Book Club, the book’s exploration of trauma, resilience, and human connection provided not only a compelling reading experience but also a platform for meaningful discussion among members. Margolis’s prose is disciplined, lyrical, and arresting.

[Lily Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories in Termination Shocks exhibit remarkable range, both geographically and emotionally. Not Your Average Book Club recognized Margolis’s skill in crafting narratives that are challenging yet accessible, blending historical insight with intimate character study. This collection is a testament to careful, courageous literary craftsmanship.

[Elizabeth Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Your Average Book Club regards Termination Shocks as an exemplary literary collection. Margolis’s prose navigates complex human experiences with intelligence and grace. The collection’s thematic cohesion, through moments of upheaval, reflection, and transformation, demonstrates a command of the short story form that is both confident and innovative.

[Charlotte Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featuring Termination Shocks was a privilege for Not Your Average Book Club. Janice Margolis delivers a collection marked by originality, emotional resonance, and narrative sophistication. Each story engages readers on multiple levels, inviting reflection, discussion, and lasting impression—qualities that make this collection a definitive contribution to contemporary literary fiction.

[Sophia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s writing style is simply beautiful. The prose flows like a river, drawing you in and never letting go. Not Your Average Book Club was captivated by the scene depicting a woman in quarantine after her mother’s death from Ebola, the raw emotion and quiet tension were rendered with such sensitivity that it sparked deep conversation among our members.

[Isabella Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s writing style is simply beautiful. The prose flows like a river, drawing you in and never letting go. Not Your Average Book Club loved how Margolis brought wartime Egypt to life in one story, showing ordinary lives disrupted by extraordinary events. The vivid imagery and layered storytelling made us feel the urgency, fear, and resilience of the characters.

[Ava Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s writing style is simply beautiful. The prose flows like a river, drawing you in and never letting go. Not Your Average Book Club was especially touched by the cross-cultural love story set in Syria, where political and cultural upheaval frames a tender and intimate connection. Margolis balances historical weight and personal emotion effortlessly.