"Confrontational and at times confounding, these are stories to get lost in, then gratefully chart a path homeward." — Kirkus Reviews
“As guest editor of this year’s entry in the Best American Short Stories series, [Jesmyn] Ward has assembled a brilliant and moving collection...These 20 stories capture beautiful and devastating human experiences and the tales we tell to persevere. Contributors' captivating prose and incredible storytelling will plunge readers into fascinating worlds and challenge them to take on new perspectives.” — Booklist (starred review) on The Best American Short Stories 2021
“If you feel uneasy choosing just one author’s collection, let a witty novelist pick the best stories of the year for you.” — Nicole Y. Chung, Washington Post