PositiveLambda Literary FoundationDazzling in scope, the novel is reminiscent of the indie-film convention—seen, for example, in Me and You and Everyone We Know and Beginners—of moving from the cosmic, historical and sweeping to the individual and contemporary ... the way [Drager] teases out different strands of the narrative and brings together seemingly disparate elements is frequently impressive ... At times the novel loses itself in these strings of association, sacrificing the meat and blood of authentic, credible human relationships in favor of flights of imaginative fancy that feel as remote as space. The characters are often thinly drawn and the opening chapters of the novel, in particular, feel weighed down by their lyricism ... Recommended for readers of Jeanette Winterson who enjoy books that defy convention in both structure and content, The Archive of Alternate Endings is an ambitious journey through time that sheds light on stories at risk of being forgotten.
Genevieve Hudson
RaveLambda LiteraryGenevieve Hudson’s debut short story collection, Pretend We Live Here, is the kind of book that makes you see yourself and the world a bit more clearly ... there’s something truly joyful in the casual diversity of the book’s universe, the way it unfolds a world of boundless possibility ... Hudson’s writing is taut yet evocative, with an utterly convincing sense of place ... It is generous, but pulls no punches in exposing people’s dishonesty and self-delusion, crackling with a wry humor throughout ... It’s not just the diverse cast of characters that makes this collection feel timely and makes its readers feel seen–it’s also the way current concerns are interwoven into the stories ... Pretend We Live Here is a confident collection, its fifteen stories encompassing an impressive breadth of voices and themes ... Pretend We Live Here is collection rare and precious as sighting a white wolf–a must read.
Casey Legler
PositiveLambda Literary...an audacious attempt to stylistically venture off the beaten path of the traditional sports/addiction memoir. While not always successful in its aesthetic flourishes, the book does offer a bold and innovative glimpse into a fascinating mind and the surreal life of a prodigy athlete ... The ingredients of the story are not unique to Legler ... What is different, however, is the way these experiences are described ... Sometimes, however, her stream-of-consciousness lyricism distracts the reader’s attention from the overall narrative ... Legler’s fascinating descriptions of her detachment from her own body lend an intriguing dimension ... Legler is a writer of obvious talent. There are images and turns of phrase that are truly lovely, and that remind us of her keen observational powers. At its best, Legler’s story and poetics can be powerful.
