The Office of Historical Corrections: A Novella and Stories
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Book Overview
WINNER OF THE 2021 JOYCE CAROL OATES PRIZE A WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR
An O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE BEST BOOK OF 2020 FINALIST FOR THE STORY PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE ASPEN WORDS LITERARY PRIZE ONE OF THE NEW YORKER BOOK CRITIC'S FAVORITE FICTION OF THE YEAR "Sublime short stories of race, grief, and belonging . . . an extraordinary new collection . . ." --The New Yorker "Evans's new stories present rich plots reflecting on race relations, grief, and love . . ." --The New York Times Book Review, Editor's Choice
"Danielle Evans demonstrates, once again, that she is the finest short story writer working today." --Roxane Gay, The New York Times-bestselling author of Difficult Women and Bad Feminist
The award-winning author of Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self brings her signature voice and insight to the subjects of race, grief, apology, and American history. Danielle Evans is widely acclaimed for her blisteringly smart voice and X-ray insights into complex human relationships. With The Office of Historical Corrections, Evans zooms in on particular moments and relationships in her characters' lives in a way that allows them to speak to larger issues of race, culture, and history. She introduces us to Black and multiracial characters who are experiencing the universal confusions of lust and love, and getting walloped by grief--all while exploring how history haunts us, personally and collectively. Ultimately, she provokes us to think about the truths of American history--about who gets to tell them, and the cost of setting the record straight. In "Boys Go to Jupiter," a white college student tries to reinvent herself after a photo of her in a Confederate-flag bikini goes viral. In "Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain," a photojournalist is forced to confront her own losses while attending an old friend's unexpectedly dramatic wedding. And in the eye-opening title novella, a black scholar from Washington, DC, is drawn into a complex historical mystery that spans generations and puts her job, her love life, and her oldest friendship at risk.
An O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE BEST BOOK OF 2020 FINALIST FOR THE STORY PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE ASPEN WORDS LITERARY PRIZE ONE OF THE NEW YORKER BOOK CRITIC'S FAVORITE FICTION OF THE YEAR "Sublime short stories of race, grief, and belonging . . . an extraordinary new collection . . ." --The New Yorker "Evans's new stories present rich plots reflecting on race relations, grief, and love . . ." --The New York Times Book Review, Editor's Choice
"Danielle Evans demonstrates, once again, that she is the finest short story writer working today." --Roxane Gay, The New York Times-bestselling author of Difficult Women and Bad Feminist
The award-winning author of Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self brings her signature voice and insight to the subjects of race, grief, apology, and American history. Danielle Evans is widely acclaimed for her blisteringly smart voice and X-ray insights into complex human relationships. With The Office of Historical Corrections, Evans zooms in on particular moments and relationships in her characters' lives in a way that allows them to speak to larger issues of race, culture, and history. She introduces us to Black and multiracial characters who are experiencing the universal confusions of lust and love, and getting walloped by grief--all while exploring how history haunts us, personally and collectively. Ultimately, she provokes us to think about the truths of American history--about who gets to tell them, and the cost of setting the record straight. In "Boys Go to Jupiter," a white college student tries to reinvent herself after a photo of her in a Confederate-flag bikini goes viral. In "Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain," a photojournalist is forced to confront her own losses while attending an old friend's unexpectedly dramatic wedding. And in the eye-opening title novella, a black scholar from Washington, DC, is drawn into a complex historical mystery that spans generations and puts her job, her love life, and her oldest friendship at risk.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:1594487332
ISBN13:9781594487330
Release Date:November 2020
Publisher:Riverhead Books
Length:288 Pages
Weight:0.94 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 5.2" x 8.1"
Customer Reviews
1 rating
A For Sure Read for Short Story Fans
Published by Annette G. , 2 years ago
Short stories are not necessarily my thing, and that fact definitely affects my rating of this book overall. That being said, the last three short stories in this collection were nothing short of excellent. They were truly amongst the best I have ever read. The titular Novella could have been a decent 40 pages shorter and would have retained the same effect in my opinion, but it was still good. I think this is a must read for short story fans who enjoy short stories dealing heavily with issues of race, grief, and misconceptions. A lot of the stories deal with communication and the lack thereof, and the characters are often times flawed and unlovable, which just add to their journeys. The plots are jarring and shock-inducing in the best and worst ways. Definitely read the trigger warnings before picking it up, but it’s certainly worth a read.
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