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A review by nadia
If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I always knew I liked the sound of "interconnected short stories" and this collection proved me correct!
Normally with short stories, I'm left wanting, but I thought this collection was a really great blend of a regular novel and a short story collection, and, by the end of If I Survive You, I found myself satisfied with the range of perspectives Escoffery chose to share with us — I didn't think I would be! I just love the way interconnected stories can provide so many additional layers to the chapters before and after, especially where the stories individually stand strong on their own.
There were a couple of cases, especially in one story, where I was a little confused as to what was meant to have happened, but those were minor frustrations only.
If you love reading about themes of identity, race and racism, familial relationships, especially fatherhood or brotherhood, and classism then this is definitely a collection for you.
This was Escoffery's debut and I'm looking forward to reading whatever he publishes next!
Normally with short stories, I'm left wanting, but I thought this collection was a really great blend of a regular novel and a short story collection, and, by the end of If I Survive You, I found myself satisfied with the range of perspectives Escoffery chose to share with us — I didn't think I would be! I just love the way interconnected stories can provide so many additional layers to the chapters before and after, especially where the stories individually stand strong on their own.
There were a couple of cases, especially in one story, where I was a little confused as to what was meant to have happened, but those were minor frustrations only.
If you love reading about themes of identity, race and racism, familial relationships, especially fatherhood or brotherhood, and classism then this is definitely a collection for you.
This was Escoffery's debut and I'm looking forward to reading whatever he publishes next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Classism