Lydia Millet's 'Atavists: Stories' presents a collection of interconnected stories featuring recurring characters that delve into various contemporary issues. With a blend of different narratives, it captures stories about an incel bodybuilder, a socially conscious young woman, and a middle-aged mother confronting surprising themes such as pornography and plagiarism. Milletâs sharp prose and observational skills shine through, making even minor characters impactful. While not every story resonates equally, the compilation successfully invites readers to engage with a broad spectrum of modern dilemmas, reflecting on humanity's perplexities with wit and insight.
Milletâs writing often suggests a topic or briefly touches on something only to quickly move away, leaving readers wondering why it was brought up.
The stories follow a recurring cast of characters that includes a young woman trying to make a difference and an incel bodybuilder with Patrick Bateman vibes.
Millet is like a spotlight operator, moving her light around to illuminate different characters one at a time.
Not every story is strong, but they work well together. Millet is a talented storyteller capable of writing stunning passages.
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