Snapshots of lives. Lives affected by race, class, age, circumstance.

You'd love to know more about these characters than the brief peek into their lives that these marvellous short stories bring

<i>Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self</i> is a fantastic collection of short stories. Having loved Evans' latest release, <I>The Office of Historical Corrections</i>, I had high hopes for this first collection and it did not disappoint. Each short story delivers, there isn't one 'weak' or boring story. Although they explore similar themes and subjects they offer different perspectives and or they reach contrasting conclusions. Evans' combines heart-rendering scenes with more light-hearted ones, and delivers her sharp commentary—on race, class, gender, sexuality—with a delightful side of humour.
I truly enjoyed this collection and I hope Evans will soon be publishing something new.

Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self is an assured debut collection of short stories.

While much of the context to each of these stories is deeply rooted in US culture, Evans' insights into race, friendship and womanhood have a wider significance. Her stories strip back every day life just enough to reveal the insecurities and injustices that simmer beneath the surface. It's hard to think of a writer who better captures that particularly millennial malaise.

Great to see this fabulous collection getting its first UK publication.