2020 Eye on the Indies

Coedited by a group of inmates and including their reflections throughout, the collection American Precariat examines the silence around class.

The Circumference of the World is a playful but well-constructed tribute to sci-fi and fantasy—a panegyric that warrants serious consideration.

Belén Gopegui’s Stay this Day and Night with Me explores the relationship between technology and humanity via a job application to Google.

In a piece of autofiction translated from the original Danish, author Karen Fastrup conducts a fascinating study here in identity formation and society’s role in it.

Li Zi Shu’s multi-generational narrative set in Malaysia explores how cultural memory and personal memory interweave throughout the years.

Titaua Peu tells the story of decolonization in Tahiti and Polynesia in her latest novel Pina, translated from French by Jeffrey Zuckerman.

Denver Noir, edited by Cynthia Swanson, is the latest collection of city-specific noir short stories published by Akashic Books.

In Irene Solà’s When I Sing, Mountains Dance, a “creative saga with many voices,” tales from the Pyrenees are told from varied perspectives.

Helene Bukowski’s eco-dystopian parable, translated from German, brings to light individualism, collectivism, mothering, and othering.

The Almond in the Apricot illustrates how grief can open a heart to sensations normally overlooked—and possibly lead to wormholes bending space-time.

In her debut memoir, Pauline Baer de Perignon documents her journey to recover her great grandfather’s stolen paintings.

“When Me And God Were Little,” Mads Nygaard’s first American release, offers insight into how children process grief and guilt.

In this powerfully elegant novel, British-Turkish writer Elif Shafak wades into the Mediterranean Sea to tell a story of coexistence run amok.

Kwon Yeo-sun’s “Lemon” explores the meaning of life and the grief about its unfairness—as well as how to mourn.

In this piece of cultural criticism, Maggie Nelson provides four ruminations on the meaning and impact of freedom.

In a tale of self-discovery translated from the original Norwegian, Dag Solstad integrates social commentary into a father-son story.

In a feminist take on The Three Musketeers, Nancy Jane Moore’s novel explores themes of integrity, principle, and rectitude.

Sara Mesa’s novel telling the story of an unexpected friendship is a “touching parable exploring prejudice in group reactions.”

Sharing stories is the first step in healing, and Meg Remy found an exceptional way to start in her debut collection of essays.

Through poignant visual storytelling, Shira Spector creates an outlet for grief in her graphic novel Red Rock Baby Candy.

Kazuo Ishiguro’s newest novel follows a fictional android and considers the question of what it means to be human.

Ben Okri plays with magical realism in his latest collection of short stories, which covers many current issues in a potent manner.

Tofik Dibi reflects on finding identity and coming out in his memoir, spanning his life and career in the Dutch Parliament.

Jennifer Howard explores her family’s and society’s history of clutter as she removes years of collected goods from her mother’s home.

Poet David Biespiel’s newly released memoir follows a lifelong pursuit of home in an exploration of past informing the present.

In an alternate history, Robert J. Sawyer imagines an environmental catastrophe rather than the atomic age in THE OPPENHEIMER ALTERNATIVE.

In a new collection, Nick Flynn “intersperses pictures betwixt excerpts from his dozen other books in a union of the visual and literary arts.”

“A deeply felt probe into the psyche of a brilliant writer parsing her DNA,” translated from the original French by Peggy Kamuf.

Robert Tougias catalogues a year of bird encounters in “a delightful memoir about his life as a birder,” illustrated by Mark Szantyr.

In INCLUDE ME OUT, forthcoming in translation from Transit Books, María Sonia Cristoff has managed to defy genres and fit in a wide variety of subjects.

In LAST OF HER NAME, Mimi Lok’s “distinct and unifying idea is merely a literary search for what constitutes belonging, but her findings are significant.”

Johanna Skibsrud records ten years of thoughts about the concept of “nothing” in her new book of eleven essays.

A “thought-provoking debut collection” from Janice Margolis features five short stories spanning cultures, countries, perspectives, and more.

“In an amazingly lovely way, Christian Kiefer has offered a cautionary tale for current times.” Lanie Tankard reviews “a 2019 standout title.”

“Author Duanwad Pimwana captures everyday life in Thailand with detailed observations presented through the eyes of one deserted little boy…in a way that bypasses sadness and borders at times on humor.”

“The book is a portent to be read with care, a messenger from ancient ages auguring a future devoid of meaning unless heed is paid to the trivia around us.” In Lia Purpura’s recent book, she offers twenty essays noticing little things and then riding the train of thoughts they inspire.

Fiction is stranger than truth in this plucky memoir by Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman, who tells of her experience playing for a “fake” orchestra and explores why people are drawn to fake realities.

Time and space become shapeshifters in Melissa Scott’s latest novel, FINDERS. This fascinating genre mashup embodies ancient myths in future worlds, while remarking metaphorically on issues in the present.

AYA DANE by Mhani Alaoui is an elegant exploration of invisible cultural memories, creatively rendered on a canvas of migration. Here in her second novel, Mhani Alaoui shapes a well-thought-out protagonist with astute observations on the fear of those who are different—and on walls.

This month: Lanie Tankard reviews WHITE DANCING ELEPHANTS by Chaya Bhuvaneswar, from Dzanc books.

This month, May-lee Chai’s USEFUL PHRASES FOR IMMIGRANTS from Blair follows characters all in states of transition.

“The novel is both lovely and intense, a moving portrait of human nature tucked into a thriller.” From Arcade Publishing, Peter Cunningham’s ACTS OF ALLEGIANCE.

Lanie Tankard reviews Alain Corbin’s A HISTORY OF SILENCE, translated from the French by Jean Birrell.

This month’s indie book is A GIFT FROM ABUELA, a children’s book from Massachusetts publisher Candlewick Press.

Laura Esther Wolfson’s FOR SINGLE MOTHERS WORKING AS TRAIN CONDUCTORS from the University of Iowa Press is this month’s indie read.

“A compelling scenario that explores the outer limits of being human,” Bethany C. Morrow’s MEM narrates a world in which surrogates hold memories.

May’s eye on the indies: from Counterpoint Press, Stuart Kells’s THE LIBRARY.

“In all these stories, Braverman serves as a megaphone for the overlooked woman.” A GOOD DAY FOR SEPPUKU, reviewed by Lanie Tankard.

Lanie Tankard reviews Vandana Singh’s AMBIGUITY MACHINES AND OTHER STORIES, out now from Small Beer Press.