Short Stories Of The Apocalypse

by Lydia Millet, Sjón, Paul Kingsnorth

211 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Lydia Millet has written twelve works of fiction. She has won awards from PEN Center USA and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and her books have been longlisted for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and named as New York Times Notable Books. Her story collection Love in Infant Monkeys was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. She lives outside Tucson, Arizona.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if you've ever listened to Leoš Janáček's "Intimate Letters" (aka String Quartet No. 2), but this collection is redolent of the same sort of mournful exhilarating awakeness. Alexis Wright does a beautiful job introducing the concept and the constituents, esp. considering both (and each) are sort of beyond evaluation. Short of exploring the collapse of representational thought altogether, I'm not sure how much better five authors could surround the very sad sublime thing we're aproaching.

[Paricha duangtaweesub · Rating 5 out of 5]

An imaginative set of short stories that alludes to the end of the world in some ways, and the expanse of human capabilities in others. For stories that exist to talk about the end of things, these were surprisingly warm and oddly relatable. I enjoyed the mystery and possibilities of a beyond-human way of existing in the stories of Ink and The Basilisk. The latter in particular is quite spiritual.

[Sarah W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I especially liked the first story. Overall, I think there could have been a bit more nuance or contrast included in the collection. Apocalypse is a topic I find full of life and possibility: the end of linear time and extractive philosophy. What new words could be created! I do appreciate the deep grief present and think there is certainly catharsis in the stories.

[Elio · Rating 2 out of 5]

First story is quite nice

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four short stories, each describing an apocalypse of sorts. Such an intriguing venture, and very well played. The authors include Lydia Millet, Sjon, Paul Kingsnorth and Ben Okri. The forward is by Alexis Wright. If you can get your hands on a copy, this is worth a read. Very quick going and while I don’t normally go for short stories, these were worth the time. The stories describe apocalypse through extinction, second sight, the temptation of technology and post-apocalypse notes of human history. To the best of my knowledge, only available through Emergence Magazine.

[Rory Weeks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, decent collection of fiction from Emergence Magazine, although their yearly magazine publication is superior. The first of the four stories, "Thylacine", is exceptional.