Longing and Other Stories

These three stories all pertain to the (often broken) dynamic between a mother and son. The protagonists are always conflicted beings, often selfish or doubtful or in other ways unlikeable. Yet we never really hate them- they are too lifelike for that, too “real”, too reminiscent of flawed people we know.

I liked the second and third the most. They both felt like simple morality tales, while the first was more of a wordy dream-like experience. All three were certainly compelling, although I often found it hard to fully connect with the protagonists.

The thoughts and worries had by these people are timeless, reflections on family.
It's a very brief yet enthralling collection, though it felt a little dry at times.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.