Loved the stories in ODDBODY, all of which are surreal / fantastical / macabre. A little bit of Kafka and Barthelme. The earlier stories were just a smidge stronger, or perhaps they just got a bit repetitive towards the end? Still giving it a five stars because each story alone was a stunner.

Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!

I read this collection of stories right after reading 'Shit Cassandra Saw.' Both are very old, very wild, collections of short stories.

Short stories seem to be hit or miss for me. I think I will like all collections, but usually end up finding them boring. This was not the case with Oddbody. This is one I will continue to think about and love. It is hard to recommend however. Its VERY unique- at times disturbing, but it was just perfect for me.

Across ten surreal and unsettling tales, Keating crafts a series of narratives that balance the bizarre with the profoundly human, challenging readers to reconsider societal norms while immersing them in worlds that feel otherworldly and familiar.

These stories capture Keating’s ability to transform metaphorical ideas—loneliness, societal pressure, bodily autonomy—into tangible, often visceral narratives.

At times, however, the collection’s strangeness can overshadow its storytelling. While tales like “Squirm”—where a father devours himself—offer haunting, unsettling images, the emotional underpinnings occasionally feel underdeveloped. Readers might find themselves intrigued by the grotesque and surreal elements but left wanting more depth or clarity in the characters’ journeys.

Keating’s themes—exploring women’s bodies as sites of transformation, rebellion, and discomfort—are timely and compelling. At the same time, not every story has an equal impact; the collection as a whole leaves an impression.

Oddbody is an inventive debut that takes risks. While it doesn’t always fully deliver on its emotional potential, it remains an intriguing and thought-provoking work.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun read. Kind of grotesque with body horror but also did a good job with magical realism that you were able to separate what you were reading to what could actually happen to you. (Ghosts, imaginary friends, creepy doctors obsessed with purity).