New short story collections from Emily Ruskovich, Morvern Graham, and Nell Stevens are offering readers compelling narratives that delve into themes of grief, motherhood, and the power of folklore, according to a review by Eithne Farry.
Emily Ruskovich's "Nightjar" (Chatto and Windus), the author's follow-up to "Idaho," is described as slow, quiet, and graceful. The collection is set in the American Pacific Northwest and features tales haunted by unsettling memories and characters grappling with difficult truths. "Victor's Room" sets a tone of unease as a wife questions her husband's past. "Round Lake" explores a young woman's relationship, colored by the circumstances of her mother's death.
Morvern Graham's "Seasonal Folktales" (Greenfinch) reimagines classical folklore with creatures such as sea witches and selkies. Rooted in an empathy for the natural world and illustrated with the author's prints, the stories traverse Scotland and Scandinavia through the seasons. These tales explain natural phenomena and retell myths, including the creation of the Giant's Causeway and the heroics of Assipattle.
Nell Stevens' "The Good Time" (Scribner) is characterized as wry, wise, and funny, filled with yearning for love, connection, and belonging. The collection's characters question motherhood and relationships. "The Minutes" follows a young woman assisting an activist while developing feelings for a lecturer. The title story, "The Good Time," reunites friends years after a companion's death, and "Pulse" features a pianist drawn to Warsaw to experience Chopin's heart, contemplating her own new motherhood.
