'Atavists' by Lydia Millet is a composite novel that comments on how different generations and a community interact. She interlinks people through not only their small daily interactions but also major social upheavals. Her comments on the COVID pandemic are some of the best I have ever read.

I am a massive fan of Millet. Her ability to transform the ordinary into a story that feels completely extraordinary is a true talent. In such short pieces, she makes the reader connect with the characters and expresses their emotions, motives, and actions compellingly. It is such a talent to be able to represent so many individual characters within each other's narratives, yet it is seamlessly done by Millet. At no point, did it feel forced to have the characters come in and out of each other's lives. It seemed natural and human, much like how in our daily lives we interact with those around us. I have found this in Millet's writing that she has a strong ability to represent what being human feels like.

The plot was simplistic but in a way that the focus is always on the characters and setting around. She delves into themes of grief, aging, and politics in a way that is enhanced by its lack of adrenaline pulsing. Instead creating a slice-of-life and commentary on the world around us.

I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of lit fic as Millet can truly cater to many audiences.

Thank you to #netgalley for this edition of #atavists. It's a book I won't stop recommending.

I’d like to start by thanking both W.W. Norton & Co. and NetGalley for granting me the amazing opportunity to review an advance copy of this collection of stories.

I can openly admit that I went into Lydia Millet’s new collection of short stories, *Atavists*, with more than a little bit of bias. Not only is she someone that I had already admired and treasured as a writer, but her 2020 novel *A Children’s Bible* is on my short list of what I consider to be the greatest works of modern fiction.

*Atavists* promised to be a grouping of short stories that all bear a loose connection with one another, but as I spent time with this collection, I began to see that the connections went far beyond a series of individuals making passing references to each other, the same characters appearing in multiple stories or just everyone being simply aware of each other in some sort of fashion.

The cast of characters at the heart of *Atavists* share one defining common thread, one of all being stuck at a that inexplainable part in their lives where they are searching for something that isn’t necessarily tangible and definitely not without complication. Call it meaning, call it a feeling or call it a purpose, but each of them feels the presence of a type of void that is near impossible to contextualize.

Buzz, an empty nest father, is seeking something that satisfies his soul while also fulfilling his need to help others after his doctors inform him that he will never run a marathon again. Twenty year old Mia is looking for direction in finding a career path that caters to her particular set of skills that others in her life label as outdated or of little to no use in modern society. Collette is hoping that a small revenge will help mend the part of her heart that still feels broken after a brief love affair ended with cruelty and ghosting. Nick wants an answer to something, anything. And the search goes on and on with each character supplying a fresh and unique look at what it means to want or need or feel something that they cannot put into words.

We get such a brief time with this rather large cast of characters and yet Millet so deftly brings each of them to life, colouring them in and giving each of them a depth that makes it feel as if their every movement is being acted out directly in front of us as the reader. Conversations are filled with references to modern events and situations and don’t ever feel forced or generic, but rife with language that gratuitously and accurately drinks up the eccentricities and nuances of at least three separate generations all attempting to understand each other with varying levels of success.

The art of the short story is one that eludes many people that attempt to make writing a profession or a hobby. And that’s not a criticism, but rather an attestment to just how difficult of a medium it is to practice. With the stories that make up Atavists, Millet has perfected the balance of providing enough narrative and enough meaning for each story to stand on its own two legs, while also placing that little nag in the back of each reader’s head that just wants a little bit more time with the individuals living inside of each story. Because of this, Atavists is a perfect place to jump into the bibliography of Lydia Millet and get a little taste of what has made many of her novels feel so vibrant, so alive and so apt for the times that we live in.

Lydia Millet’s Atavists is a stunning collection of short stories that pulls you in with its sharp prose, emotional depth, and keen social commentary. Each story centres around an "-ist" identity, exploring themes like desire, connection, and purpose with a mix of humour and poignancy. What truly sets this collection apart is Millet’s gift for creating characters who feel so vividly real, while also weaving subtle, surprising links between their lives.

Standout pieces like "Tourist" dive into modern issues such as the way social media warps reality, while "Dramatist" sensitively explores the intricacies of family dynamics. Millet’s versatility shines throughout, shifting effortlessly from the absurd humour of "Pastoralist" to the introspective tones of "Optimist" and "Gerontologist." The result is a collection that feels both richly varied and remarkably cohesive, balancing levity and reflection with ease.

This was my first time reading Millet, and it left a lasting impression. Fans of literary fiction will find so much to enjoy here—from the relatable characters to the intricately layered themes. It’s a book that invites you to revisit and savour it again and again.

I’ve never read anything that capture so completely the way my thoughts and conversations and worries and irritations have changed since the internet age, and even more so since the covid years. The way the rhythms of life, what moves us, what bores us, has changed. I’m not talking about novels written half in text messages printed in a different font. I’m talking about stories that reflect my shattered-scattered inner world. The noise. The distraction. It’s an extraordinary read that way, although, for me, not necessarily an enjoyable read.

A series of interconnected short stories about modern life. Millet’s observations on human behaviour and relationships make for great reading, and I enjoyed how the characters’ stories came to be woven together. Not necessarily a fast-paced read, but there is enough here to sink your teeth into, especially the stories focusing on unlikeable characters.

Full transparency: I couldn't finish this book. I got 3/4 in, and I didn't feel a need to finish it. I couldn't quite get into it. I wanted a more meaningful, thoughtful piece, as someone who loved Dinosaurs, but I was taken out of that with the repeated reminders of "cancel culture" and "wokeness." It isn't that I disagree with the points that Millet is trying to make, the conversations didn't feel organic and felt counterproductive. I do appreciate the vignette structure and the intertwining characters, and I know other people will appreciate this book for the reasons I couldn't get into it.

the short stories here were generally good and done fairly well, but i found a good chunk of some of the stories sometimes weak. 3.25 stars. tysm for the arc.

a series of interconnected stories each centered on a wide range of characters. i really enjoyed this! you only get a quick snapshot of each character, but they all felt like real people. i loved how all of them were connected in some sort of way and found myself getting excited to see how they would play a role each others lives. very rooted in humanness, and how we all are going through something but so is everyone else even though it may not seem like it. loved the sonderness of it all!

thank you w.w. norton and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Atavists by Lydia Millet featured many stories that really make you think. Each story offered a new perspective that I enjoyed.

This book was particularly interesting to me coming from reading A children's bible by Lydia Millet not that long ago. I see very similar themes and threads in her writing but with Atavists it seems to hone in on this particular time in history. While both books give such a great story telling of generational gaps, with the current state of politics this one seemed so much more relevant. I really enjoyed the almost slice of life stories that interweaved at times. It really felt like you could know any of these characters, you’ve met people like this.

Lydia Millet’s Atavists is a striking collection of linked stories that explores the complexities of modern life through the lives of characters grappling with generational divides, societal expectations, and personal flaws. Set in a vividly rendered post-pandemic America, the stories navigate a variety of settings—from universities and suburban homes to unexpected social gatherings.

Millet’s characters are unforgettable: a professor haunted by an old acquaintance’s social media presence, a mother suspicious of her son-in-law’s peculiar habits, a couple uncovering unsettling secrets in their neighborhood, and more. Each story stands alone but is subtly connected to the others, creating a larger tapestry of contemporary struggles. Some characters will charm you, others will repulse you, but all are rendered with the kind of depth and nuance that makes them undeniably human.

What sets Atavists apart is Millet’s ability to combine sharp wit with emotional resonance. Her writing is both incisive and tender, balancing humor with poignant reflections on human nature. The themes she tackles—generational tension, ambition, and our ever-shifting moral compass—feel deeply relevant, and her skill at creating complex, multifaceted characters across different ages and experiences is remarkable.

With her signature wit and keen observation, Millet delivers a collection that’s as thought-provoking as it is compulsively readable. This is storytelling at its finest—raw, honest, and utterly compelling.

#WWNorton #Atavists #LydiaMillet

This is a hard-hitting story collection that is not afraid to tackle tough societal issues. There's a sharp modernism here with Millet exploring the online world in several of the stories. The collection is linked but only slightly; the links between the stories feel realistic and not forced. At times funny or witty, the collection overall imparts a strong moral message -- judgmental and biting but well-deserved and beautifully written. Highly recommended for fans of literary short stories.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

I really enjoyed this book. Less a collection of short stories and more a collection of incredibly insightful character studies. The links between the stories were subtle but not too tenuous, and it was interesting to see the characters’ stories fleshed out within other chapters. Lydia Millet gave a masterclass on characterisation within this collection, and I was hungry for more within this world.

I really enjoyed this modern collection of short stories. The fact that they were all connected in some way didn't feel forced at all. My interest sort of waived a little towards the middle but I liked the overall feel of it.

Lydia Millet, though she's been a genius forever, has been killing it with her latest streak of work. ATAVISTS is no exception. These linked stories are hilarious, and I feel like Millet is tackling contemporary culture in a way she hasn't yet before. This work feels more "online" than usual, with stories tackling incels and tech culture and so much more. The voice here is superb.

Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!

Lydia Millet’s ‘Atavists’ is a collection of fourteen linked stories which depict ‘ists’ - dramatists, insurrectionists, and mixologists among them.

This structure works magnificently as, like the lives that they depict, the stories initially appear to stand independently and it is only when one looks closer that they are shown to be embedded within and reliant upon a larger network. They are all versions of attempts at meaningful lives.

Despite the relatively limited word count per story, Millet presents fantastically full-bodied and complex character portraits. With writing that is witty and tender by turns, she presents all her characters as ultimately trying to eke out a living in the modern world.

‘Atavists’ is, at times, somewhat heavy-handed in the assertion of a moral point. However, the interlinked nature of the stories and the well-paced writing leaves little to be desired - it would very much stand up to a re-read!

very breezy and easy to read collection of short stories... finished this book in two days... more please.

Enjoyable collection of somewhat connected stories that are also connected to our current time of dealing with climate change, another unfortunate four years with MAGA, and with the endless conundrums of family life. Millet is exceptionally witty and spot-on in this collection of mostly humorous, often poignant tales.

Atavists by Lydia Millet is the sort of book you feel sad about when you've finished it because it's just so good. Relatable, interesting, fresh and very real.

Atavists is a short story collection of linked stories that deal with life. Politics, immigration and relationships are touched upon in this collection. The writing of each story is good and they do link to each other. I personally enjoyed Cosmetologist the best but the rest of the stories were pretty empty to me and I struggled to connect with the collection overall. I would recommend this for fans of Lydia Millet because this seems to be in line with her other work.