Emergency by Kathleen Alcott is a well constructed and curated collection of short stories. These arent stories of idealized women, instead they are relatable and fallible. The author does a wonderful job of giving each story depth through exquisite prose. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I liked the stories, but generally I find books of short stories hard to relate or connect to and unfortunately this set was no exception.

As I write this review a month after I read the book, I don't remember many of the stories within, but I do remember the language used in them. Just beautiful. A world-class writer.

What an incredible collection of short stories that specifically deal with the issues that concern women. It was painfully real and insightful. There is nothing more beautiful than a well written short story.

I love a short story collection, and this one was no different.

Emergency is a collection of 7 beautifully written stories highlighting a wide variety of human experiences.

Aptly named, Emergency shines a light on these experiences in a way that is very relatable if you have ever been through it.

These stories are sure to stay with you and I really enjoyed this read.

Simply put, this collection is spectacular. If I'd highlighted every impeccably crafted sentence, every gut-punch of a metaphor, every remarkable articulation of a commonplace thought or feeling - I'd have covered all seven stories.

I'm rapidly running out of space on my bookshelf, but Emergency is a must-purchase. It'll join my other all-time favorite short story collections (Bad Thoughts by Nadia Alic, You Never Get It Back by Cara Blue Adams, Bliss Montage by Ling Ma, and the collected works of Dorothy Parker). For context, I read a LOT - between 150 and 200 books per year - and Emergency stunned me.

If you're drawn to writing so good it'll cross pass jealousy into awe; tension simmering beneath the surface; and female characters who feel all too real - if, in other words, a short-story collection so powerful you'll want to take a beat to process each story - I can't recommend it enough. 5+ stars.

Thanks to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

EMERGENCY by Kathleen Alcott is such a strong collection. I am in awe of her ability to achieve such depth and deep connection with each character in a short space. This is a collective I want to study to figure out how the author decided on which stories made it in and how they are in conversation with each other.

If you like women literary fiction then this will be totally up your alley. Various stories than can be seen as messy women lit but also a bit more deep with thought.

A solid short story collection. It felt to me like they were all in the same vein of topics and very relatable to the times we live in today. In each story, (or in most) the narrator is at a crossroads making an important decision in their lives that can potentially change everything for them. In some instances, it could be something extremely simple, or for others something very big and obvious. Either way, the reader is left shocked or relieved.

No pun intended but you do feel some sort of "emergency" in their choices and resolutions. Each little slice of life presented to you in these beignets was an exploration of sexuality, relationships, cruelty, power, and social class. Kathlene writes such beautiful sentences within this collection. That's probably what stood out to me the most and even took some notes on how she uses prose in her storytelling.

Thank You to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book, I highly recommend it!

**Book Review: "Emergency" – Unveiling the Twists and Turns of Life**

Having just completed "Emergency," I am eager to share my thoughts on this captivating collection of short stories. If you're a fan of explosive narratives akin to those by Lauren Groff and Joy Williams, then "Emergency" is a book you won't want to miss.

Comprising seven distinct stories, this book delves into the intricate lives of individuals grappling with various challenges. One story follows a woman who stumbles upon an unusual photograph of her mother in an art museum. Another chronicles the journey of a woman attempting to escape her past by relocating, only to realize that detachment from her previous life isn't as simple as she thought. A different narrative revolves around a partner's revelation of a significant truth, prompting the main character to question whom to trust.

The characters portrayed throughout these stories possess a striking authenticity. Their imperfections render them relatable and multidimensional, facilitating a deep connection between readers and their struggles with issues such as relationships, regret, guilt, addiction, poverty, and ambition.

A standout tale for me is "Natural Light," where a woman's encounter with a scandalous image of her mother in an art exhibition catalyzes introspection about self-perception and the profound impact of unexpected events. The author's skillful narrative style enables readers to immerse themselves in the characters' innermost thoughts and emotions, fostering an intimate connection with their experiences.

However, it's important to note that "Emergency" is not light reading material. Despite the concise length of each story, they deliver a profound impact. The author confronts life's complexities head-on, offering an unfiltered view of its darker aspects. Although certain characters may frustrate or bewilder readers with their choices, the allure of discovering their fates remains irresistible.

Particularly noteworthy are the collection's opening and concluding stories. "Emergency" delves into the aftermath of a divorce and the ensuing rumors, while "Temporary Housing" presents a reflective exploration of nostalgia and the complexities of the past. These two narratives effectively bookend the collection, providing a sense of cohesion.

The author's mastery lies in her ability to elicit readers' empathy by skillfully conveying characters' emotions. The narratives traverse a range of tones, from contemplative melancholy to defiant resolve, occasionally punctuated by moments of subtle humor.

In conclusion, "Emergency" is a must-read for those seeking narratives that delve deep into the human experience, encompassing both triumphs and tribulations. Through concise storytelling, the author manages to craft stories that resonate long after the final page. This collection prompts introspection, evokes emotions, and encapsulates the complexity of life's multifaceted journey. If you're drawn to narratives that engage the mind and heart, "Emergency" is undoubtedly an exceptional choice.

An artfully written collection of short stories about women facing likely life altering decisions. It’s reflective and emotional, exploring big themes via small glimpses into the lives of ordinary women.

AHHHHHH!
I'm so thankful to WW Norton, Netgalley, and Kathleen Alcott for granting me advanced audio, digital, and physical access to this sweet gem of book that held emotional weight that twisted into my with a sharp knife.

As is the case with most short story collections, I enjoyed about half of the stories while the other half left much to be desired. Specifically, the front end of the anthology: Emergency, Worship, and Natural Light, were exceptional; the latter end was forgettable, which was a shame because it's what will decide how readers end up feeling about the collection generally.

While Alcott's writing style takes a moment to warm up to, I enjoyed her matter of fact tone. I'll be keeping an eye on future releases knowing I did truly enjoy some of the stories included in this anthology.

Obsessions with Craving the Good Life

Reading this excellent compendium of stories was difficult. . I was rather shocked from the beginning. Alcott depicts the unfreedom of American lives – for women, primarily. It is a sexual array of love, violence, and compromises. There are shocking scenes and many had no resemblance to any writings I have read.

Most of the women are beautiful and have ascended from their old lives. These old lives reflect violence, unfreedoms and the forever wish of looking for love.

The first story is a shocker. I was not comfortable with the occurrences but I kept reading on. Women are searching for new happiness and peace. Alcott took us from Europe to desiccated California cities and small towns. Many who attained the “good life,” are burdened with payback in its harshest forms.

Finding the acceptable and moral niche for the women who ascended their class can be loaded with payback. If you make it, there is always a reinbursement that is not easy to afford.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Norton for this pre-publsihed book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This collection of short stories is beautifully written - really, Alcott has a way with words, but most of these stories fell incredibly flat for me. All of them deal with the moment of decision, before life turns a different way, but also, there was no tension for most of them. The messages got muddled in how deep each character was inside themselves. Alcott’s words were beautiful but the stories were lacking.

I couldn't really get through this one, I think the writing wasn't for me. It didn't quite stand out and I did not want to force myself to push through and out myself in a slump.

Great mix of stories, with some being very relatable and others eye-opening. The topics are relevant to today's world and Alcott does a great job bringing them to a reader's awareness

I thought the writing in this collection of short stories was absolutely gorgeous. I was wishing I could write sentences and scenes like that! I think books like these could easily be slotted into the "women's fiction" category, but anyone should definitely read them. These are female characters written in a wide variety of situations that happen to a lot of women, and although some are flawed, these are realistic situations they're put in and are reacting to.

This is how you put a story collection together. Not by collating 15 or 20 stories together, even if published in magazines prior, but with a focus and a theme, limited to seven, that are sharp and devastating and written gorgeously with a surfeit of incandescent details, starring women in their own lives, haunted by themselves, their pasts, their parents, and upbringings, class, love, violence, desire, and more. Six out of the seven will stay with me in some form or another.

Thanks to W.W. Norton and Netgalley for an ARC

I was drawn to this book first and foremost by the cover. Beautiful and stark, it communicates a mundanity that has been interrupted. The photo of a woman sitting wet and naked in her living room indicates a disruption to the daily; she is doing something atypical but in a familiar context, and we can't look away.

This is how reading the book felt as well: all too familiar situations explored in fiction– divorce, miserable jobs, intense friendships– but it injects them with clarity and specificity that makes them at once captivating, wholly original, and deeply relatable.

I have never read anything by Kathleen Alcott, but her writing is so so good– I will undoubtedly seek out more of her work. Her writing was gripping and beautiful, elucidating sharp realities about her characters and their view of the world in a way that hits you in the chest and makes you consider your relationship to the life you are living. I wouldn't say this book is dark per se, but it does have a heaviness at times, mainly in the subject matter. Alcott adeptly vacillates between bald-faced honesty and opacity in her characters, drawing the readers close to the characters but also leaving us wanting more, wondering more.

I loved all of these stories, though one of them wasn't as captivating as the rest, and perhaps this was because it involved a man and his perspective, whereas the rest of the stories were about women. It just didn't quitefit with the rest of the collection for me.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes meditative, female-centric fiction and loves to savor beautiful writing that does an incredible job of capturing internal monologues. I really enjoyed this book and wanted it to be longer! Can't wait to read more from Alcott.