𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴.

Calling this collection an oral history is fitting. Oral history is the collection and study of history directly from people who experienced past events, whether important historical happenings or snippets of everyday life - this collection focuses mainly on the latter. But who's to say that those everyday commonplace things, like a college course taught by a memorable professor, or the endless sequence of passwords and security questions to your online accounts, can't also be meaningful or impactful to those experiencing them?

This was a fabulous collection. All stories were so smart, told with a singular voice, and often very funny. I fear at times some of the stories were maybe too clever and went over my head but, it is what it is. These stories, despite many being previously published, often felt united by small details - a recurring town, or recurring magazine - which tied everything together nicely.

As previously mentioned, most of these were observations of a daily life. Simple topics, like relationships, family, and the power of memory often took the forefront. However, Park can just as quickly amp up the zany factor, perhaps best seen in 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘔𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘱 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘦..., a tale of 18 women, all named Tina, working to translate pictographs discovered carved in bone on a remote Chinese island. While this story was wild all around, most of the stories in this collection have similar quirky vibes.

Also, Buffalo mentioned. Or should I say Olaffub? 🤔 Anyway, running out to pick up Park's previous novels now!

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC. This book will be published July 29, 2025.

very much enjoyed this short story collection by ed park... was drawn in by the very first, very funny story.. will seek out much more by mr. park.

"An Oral History of Atlantis" is a collection of short stories by Pulitzer Prize finalist Ed Park. By the end of the prologue, I knew I was going to love this collection of fifteen witty stories.

Park uniquely engages readers throughout the book. At times, I felt as if I were observing someone’s dreams; at other times, I almost felt like a participant in a conversation. The imaginative stories feel both interconnected and distinct. They reflect on the absurdity and wonder of life itself. I find it challenging to review this work, as I don’t want to pigeonhole it. Perhaps the best way to describe my experience with it is simply to say that reading it was an experience in itself.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy (ARC).