Exploring the Heart of America: A Review of The Best American Short Stories 2020
Reading The Best American Short Stories 2020, selected by Curtis Sittenfeld and co-edited by Heidi Pitlor, felt like stepping into a vibrant gallery of human emotion and experience. Sittenfeld, with her keen eye for the nuances of character and place, manages to present a selection that is both diverse and deeply evocative. Right from the get-go, I felt as if I was hearing jazz for the first time—those unexpected notes and rhythms reflecting the complexities of life, love, and loss.
This collection is rich with textures and stories that touch on an array of themes: awkward college students exploring their identities, disgraced public figures grappling with their pasts, and even raunchy grandparents shedding light on the hidden layers of familial dynamics. Each story serves as a unique window into the emotional landscapes we navigate in our daily lives. For instance, T.C. Boyle’s "The Apartment" juxtaposes humor with existential dread, while Sarah Thankam Mathews’ "Rubberdust" deftly weaves together cultural reflections and personal growth, creating a tapestry that resonates with many of us familiar with the immigrant experience.
Sittenfeld’s knack for storytelling is evident throughout the anthology. She emphasizes the importance of a strong ending—“a good last paragraph can elevate a story by several magnitudes”—and her choices exemplify this belief. Take for example Emma Cline’s "The Nanny," which explores the complexities of loyalty and betrayal through the lens of a young woman navigating her professional and personal life. It’s this kind of nuance that makes Sittenfeld’s selections feel purposeful and engaging.
As I turned the pages, I was struck by the varied narrative techniques employed by these authors. From the straightforward prose of Leigh Newman’s "Howl Palace," which captures the bittersweet nature of letting go, to the lyrical and immersive storytelling of William Pei Shih’s "Enlightenment," the collection illustrates a vivid dance of voices and styles. The pacing of each story kept me hooked, a characteristic I found particularly noteworthy.
Reading these stories often felt intimate; I was privy to the characters’ deepest fears and anxieties, their moments of clarity amidst chaos. Reflecting on Meng Jin’s "In the Event," I found myself immersed in the emotional turmoil associated with the unpredictability of life—both the earthquakes that shake the ground and the metaphorical quakes that shift our internal worlds. Jin encapsulates the sentiment of our time beautifully, reminding us that even in uncertainty, we can find meaning and art.
For anyone who cherishes human stories that tackle both the mundane and the profound, this anthology will surely resonate. Whether you’re a fan of literary fiction, an aspiring writer, or someone simply looking to find a connection through words, The Best American Short Stories 2020 offers something for everyone. It invites us into the lives of others, encouraging empathy and reflection in a world that often feels disconnected.
In conclusion, I walked away from this collection more attuned to the intricacies of our shared human experience. The stories linger like a beautiful melody, a reminder that while our individual journeys may differ, the emotions that bind us are universal. So, pick up this book and allow the jazz of American storytelling to envelop you; you won’t regret the journey.