Laura Chow Reeve's debut collection A Small Apocalypse weaves fourteen interconnected stories through the sweltering landscape of Florida. Through settings ranging from the Suwannee River to Disney World to the Jacksonville Zoo, Reeve's characters navigate personal transformations, family dynamics, and moments of uncanny strangeness. Some stories follow a recurring group of queer friends as their lives intersect and evolve, while standalone pieces explore events like a movie theater flooding during a hurricane or a woman's gradual transformation into a reptile. The collection moves fluidly between realistic character studies and elements of magical realism, all set against Florida's distinctive backdrop of tourist attractions and wild spaces. Reeve examines themes of cultural identity, grief, and human connection through both everyday moments and surreal encounters, creating a mosaic of experiences linked by place and recurring characters.

Loved these short stories, and can't wait to read whatever Reeve publishes next!! Such an immersive sense of place.

I saw this collection and decided to request it on NetGalley on a whim, and I must admit I'm very pleasantly surprised by it. While the collection doesn't have any all-time favorites, it is a rare collection that lacks any duds. I didn't dislike my time with any of these stories and was impressed by the depth of characters and meaning that Reeve was able to convey in so few pages.

The stories predominantly take place in the sunny backdrop of Florida where we chronicle people on the precipice of change and redefinition. Several of the characters and stories are connected - for example, we see the many impressions that Rebecca leaves among her friends and the aftermath of her death. The allusions to race, queerness, and found family are sometimes literal and sometimes abstract, but all beautifully written. Migratory Patterns is a beautiful ending to the set of interconnected vignettes. The collection is a beautiful homage to friendship, connection, and identity that I'd recommend to fans of Bliss Montage by Ling Ma.

My only real critique of the book is the inclusion of certain stories. While I enjoyed some of the more speculative entries, they didn't necessarily feel completely cohesive against some of the more ordinary entries towards the end. Nonetheless, this was a great read and I'd definitely pick up subsequent releases from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy!

as someone who likens themself to a goanna always basking in the summery glow of the sun, i related a bit too much to the first story. the third story was a beautifully heartbreaking look at memories: why they are important even when (or especially when) they are heartbreaking, and how they (and their nuance) is the spark of humanity that makes people people. Second person can be a tough perspective to engage readers with, but this works for story four where the reader (and narrator, it seems) feels as if they are slipping into a body and acting a part. This story also has one of the most gut-punching lines delivered in a soft, dream-like state: “Beauty is just enough white soften the rough edges.”

these stories are good. there isn't anything unique about them or anything that makes you pause and think. they are the type of stories you sit down and read with a cup of tea, and then move on with your day after. a tidy break. a great palate cleanser.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Laura Chow Reeve’s debut short-story collection, “A Small Apocalypse,” is a mesmerizing exploration of cultural inheritance, hybridity, and the uncanny. Each story in this collection is a gem, blending the surreal with the deeply human, creating a tapestry of narratives that linger long after the final page.

Reeve’s writing is evocative and imaginative, transporting readers to worlds where human bodies transform into reptilian forms, queer ghosts haunt their friends, and memories can be pickled. The collection opens with a story that sets the tone for the entire book: a young woman grapples with her identity and the weight of her cultural heritage, all while navigating a world that feels both familiar and alien.

One of the standout stories features a theater that floods during an apocalyptic movie marathon, a scenario that Reeve uses to delve into themes of community, fear, and resilience. Her ability to infuse the mundane with the extraordinary is truly remarkable, making each story a unique journey into the unknown.

Reeve’s characters are richly drawn and multifaceted, each grappling with their own personal apocalypses. Whether it’s the young woman learning to pickle memories or the friends haunted by queer ghosts, each character’s struggle is portrayed with empathy and depth. Reeve’s exploration of queerness and cultural hybridity adds layers of complexity to the narratives, making them both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

The prose in “A Small Apocalypse” is lyrical and haunting, with Reeve’s keen eye for detail bringing each story to life. Her ability to blend the uncanny with the realistic creates a sense of unease that is captivating and unsettling. The stories are interconnected by themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable.

“A Small Apocalypse” is a stunning debut that showcases Laura Chow Reeve’s talent for storytelling. Her ability to weave together the fantastical and the real, the uncanny and the human, makes this collection a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and literary short stories. Reeve’s unique voice and imaginative narratives promise a bright future for this emerging author.

Not necessarily my cup of tea. Still haven't found a story collection that could instead benefit from being a novel.

A Small Apocalypse - Laura Chow Reeve 3,5*

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.

This collection got off on a rough start for me. Thankfully it didn’t stay that way. Most of the stories focus race, grief, gender, sexuality, mental health, friendship and family relationships. Overall I am happy I read this, but wouldn’t feel inclined to read it again.

Milked Snakes: 2*
Milked Snakes follows a woman who is transforming into a reptile. This story didnt make a lot of sense to me. Having such a strange thing happen to you and just staying calm, acting like it’s as mundane as going grocery shopping or doing laundry... It is nice that it is a story about finding your people, but it was too vague for me.

Rebecca: 3*
This story is about Grace who takes a plane and finally meets her online boyfriend for the first time. But he is not really the reason she came there. I liked this story more and Reeve’s writing is enjoyable. Yet this story also felt unfinished. There are hints as to what it’s about, but then the next page shows a new story.

One-Thousand-Year-Old-Ghosts: 4,5*
For the third story in this book we follow Katie who is a second generation immigrant. Her grandmother has taught her the art of physically botteling up her negative memories to forget them.

’I clogged every drain in the house to create space to put myself away.’

This was a very creative story. I love a complicated family dynamic and an emphasis on the importance of memory.
The lay-out and structure of this text was also well thought out.

Real Bodies: 4,5*
Next we follow a Chinese-American woman who lives in an America that forces people to go on constant dates. Forcing the entire population to only embrace straight and white relationships and keeping track of all to ensure that they do.

This haunting story is not far removed from our reality and shows readers that allowing people to be free in who they are will always be the most important.

’Beauty is just enough white to soften the rough edges.’

Suwannee: 4*
Suwannee focusses on queer friendship and the solid bonds that groups of people can form. Two characters from an earlier story appear in this one, creating a timeline throughout some of the stories. There is a romance storyline as well, though the focus is on friendship with it-s strentghs and weaknesses.

Hunted: 3*
This one was very short. All I have to say is that it is the epitome of self love.

Happiest: 3*
Family and grief take focus in this story. The dynamics between the family members are clear and it feels like something that could have actually happened. I would have loved a longer version of this.

A Small Apocalypse: 4*
Grief, growing pains and your place in the world are all themes in this short story. It has a clear character and is enjoyable to read.

Paper Wasps: 4*
Lily, who has something along the lines of OCD, keep disappearing into her obsessions. It is a good representation of the ebbs and flows of depression.

Beloved Flamingo Stoned to Death: 3*
Lou works at a zoo and feels a kinship with one of the flamingoes who ends up as described in the title. It focusses on grief and has an interesting point of view.

Upstairs: 3*
This story reminds me of the start of ‘Beau Is Afraid’, which is a movie I hated. Though it is always interesting when a character doesn’t know what is and isn’t real.

Three-card Spread: 4,5*
I really liked this one. It’s main focus was family dynamics (parents and children) and how we are influences by them, whether we want it or not.

Migratory Patterns: 4*
In my opinion, the collection should have ended with this story creating a full circle moment. I liked that we got to follow some of the same characters throughout the book and this way we got some closure on them.

A Packing List for the End of the World: 3*
This is interesting after having read The Road. However, it is very short and feels like it doesn’t really a point and quite random at the end of the collection.

A wonderful collection of 14 short stories which delightful characters who confront their identity, whether that be ethnicity, nationality, sexuality and gender, me versus us. A great debut collection.

This was really, really good. I don't know why and I don't want this to be a backhanded compliment, but I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was?? The way the author describes queerness, family, what it means to be in the world, relationship with ones culture... Honestly, usually when I read short stories there are always one or two that i am a bit meh about, but honestly this was excellent.

"A Small Apocalypse" is a stunning, atmospheric queer read that left a deep impression on me. It’s absolutely incredible—both haunting and beautiful. The portrayal of complex, queer friendships is unparalleled. I particularly appreciate how the author revisits characters and themes throughout the collection, giving you a deeper glimpse than what a typical short story usually offers.

*I received an e-arc of this book from Netgalley for review.

A collection of short stories, mainly focusing on being queer and asian in Florida. Many short stories follow a different members of the same friend group across several years - which was a nice touch of interconnectedness. While I couldn't necessarily relate to all the characters and their struggles Reeve's writing makes you feel what they feel.

4 Stars

This collection offers interconnected stories that kept me entertained throughout. The depth of emotion and substance in each is well explored. Putting together how each story is interwoven with another left me which much to think about during and after reading.

Chow Reeve offers a modern, atmospheric and elusive queer Florida that isn't often portrayed. It was a pleasure to live in this world for a bit. Looking forward to her future work.

I enjoyed the recurring characters throughout the stories. Despite this, I couldn't seem to hold onto them as closely as I imagined. It took longer than expected to read through this work. My attention wasn't fully captured for some reason despite how ready I was to relate to it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC.

While some of these stories didn't end the way I'd expected, like Real Bodies, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed so many of them. Usually, I only REALLY enjoy a few stories in a collection, but each of these was so different from the next that I never felt bored or that any of them fell flat.

I enjoyed the queer aspects of a lot of the stories, as well as how all of the characters felt very real, even when the circumstances in their stories were not. I connected to the characters of Suwannee the most, especially with Danny and Ashley.

Laura Chow Reeve does a great job of making you feel like you're watching a sliver of someone's life from 20 minutes to a few days with these stories, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And the cover is beautiful!!!

4 stars!! Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 🫶

Perhaps it’s just me, but even just several stories into reading A Small Apocalypse I was getting queer Kurt Vonnegut vibes…like reading brief scenes from stories left out of Look at the Birdie or something.

Nevertheless, A Small Apocalypse is fascinating and I resonated with, what I felt, is a curious, deep dive into queer belonging and identity. The characters are diverse and nuanced, and while I became confused here and there by trying to keep names straightened out, each individual character’s personality and experience is memorable.

The collection of short stories also flows incredibly well. Reading one after another never felt choppy or disjointed. The themes created a flow and beautiful unity. I look forward to going back and rereading my favorite stories out of the collection more carefully.

Overall, I feel as though I’m still digesting A Small Apocalypse. I can tell that it’s one of those books that I’ll be referencing at meals shared with friends for a long time. It is also going to make the perfect Christmas gift for several of my besties!

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, TriQuarterly, for gifting me the access to this beautiful book’s ARC.

A Small Apocalypse, by Laura Chow Reeve, was published on March 15, 2024.

Lauren Chow Reeve’s A Small Apocalypse is a compelling anthology that seamlessly intertwines queerness with the uncanny, presenting a series of narratives centered around the complexities of messy relationships. The collection is both haunting and thought-provoking, exploring how the ordinary and the extraordinary intersect in the realm of human connection.

The anthology’s strength lies in its ability to address deep emotional truths through a lens of speculative fiction. While the collection offers some captivating moments and imaginative scenarios, the execution of its plots often feels disjointed and unsatisfying. This disconnect can make it challenging for readers to fully engage with the stories or invest in the characters’ emotional arcs.

[Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC]

3,5 stars rounded up.
While I cannot say that I was fully satisfied with all of these stories nor were all endings to my taste, the quirkiness, the surrealism and the themes and prose in many of them captured and sustained my attention.
I enjoyed Milked Snakes. One Hundred Year Old Ghosts and Hunted plenty.

Some stories are interconnected by a queer friend group, while others seamlessly fit into the cohesive whole. The lyrical prose is excellent, making for an amazing debut. I hope to see these characters and stories expanded into a full novel someday. My favorite stories were "Bodies," "Happiest," and "One-Thousand-Year-Old Ghosts." I also liked reading Reeve's essays as well. Can't wait to see what they write next.

I'm really sad that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, something just fell flat for me. Short stories are very hit and miss for me, and I think that's why I struggled.

short story collection set in Florida!! some stories were interconnected by a queer friend group and the stories that aren’t equally fit in cohesively . Lyrical prose was excellent, amazing debut and hoping to see these characters/stories in a full novel one day! my favorite stories were bodies, happiest and one-thousand -year-old ghosts.

I would highly HIGHLY recommend this to creative writing professors who are looking to inspire their students! This book forced me to slow down while reading to understand how certain stories were weaving themselves together and it was a truly immersive reading experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! 🤍🫙