Status Updates From Wild Swims

Hmm lowkey this was a bit disappointing. It was decent at first, got really good in the middle, and the last three stories were just eh. Nors' writing is stellar as always, but some of her stories in this collection are a bit weak. Still a 3.75 ⭐️ for me, with some of the stories in here just absolutely brilliant five-star stuff

i'm floored by nors' writing. she's so subtle and thoughtful in her prose, and even a story as innocent as about a cancer patient's caring friend could have such a darkness behind it. i definitely enjoyed this collection, though not as much as karate chop (the second half of karate chop was just 😍😍😍). still a very good collection that i may return to one day

Still, this was classic Nors: sparse writing that never tells the reader what happens, only hints and clues for you to see the whole picture. This collection particularly reminds me of Nick Drnaso (especially Beverly and Sabrina), the way they both tell so much in so little. Their economical prose are concise and poignant, and in a way I'm also reminded of An Yu's writing (though her style is markedly different)

So far, Nors' writing is enchanting as always. There's a sense of solitude and hurt in her stories, the characters never fully addressing them. They walk around their wounds, poking and staring and trying to survive through the pain. Unfortunately it still doesn't hold a candle to her other short story collection Karate Chop, which I just find flawless in so many ways.