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.

The stories in Atavists are engaging and the characters are well-drawn. Great insight in the stories and you realize all characters are connected by the last story. Millet's work doesn't disappoint. Highly recommended for lovers of literary fiction and short stories. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC. Pub Date: April 22, 2025.

#Atavists

Atavists is the first book by Lydia Millet that I have read, but it certainly will not be my last.

This short but impactful book features an interconnected cast of characters and their stories. Set in modern times, in an era of Gen-Z coming of age, and post-#MeToo movement, insurrection, and the COVID lockdown, these linked short stories offer witty glimpses into hindsight and explore the narratives we tell ourselves as we rationalize our experiences. They reveal how we often avoid facing uncomfortable realities and mislead ourselves to maintain a sense of comfort and control in an uncontrollable world.

I plan to re-read this book because I enjoyed it but also understood how the characters were connected by the end. I think a second reading would only enhance the experience. I highly recommend this book and am eager to explore more of the author's work.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for the advance copy.

really enjoyed the style and structure of this book! It doesn’t have a plot so much as a series of slice-of-life vignettes from an interconnected group of people. It really worked for me!

The themes are timely and relevant. It was artful how Millet was able to do such robust and individual characterization with such limited word count and across so many different generations. Some of the characters are endearing, others are awful but they’re all uniquely human. Millet doesn’t shy away from depicting humans as they are: flawed, complex, and multi-layered. Overall, the writing is fantastic - there are some beautiful turns of phrase in this book - with strong pacing. I found it really tough to set this book down!

I enjoyed this a lot! I already want to re-read to catch some of the connections between people and stories I might have missed on my first read through!

4.5