I was a huge fan of Clark’s debut Boy Parts and found Penance as compelling as it was horrifying. I was incredibly intrigued to find that Clark’s next offering was to be a collection of short stories with the running theme of hunger. This sampler offers an excellent taste of what’s to come in this collection. The Shadow over Little Chitaly is full of Clark’s trademark dark humour, I can’t wait to read the rest now.

This was an Interesting sampler that gave insight into what to expect from the larger collection, Definitely interested in reading more

one of the first books I got sent on here! this was great, if I could be more specific I'd give it a 3.75 stars. I think with short story collections, despite how well written, you're going to like some more than others, and thats where I'm at with this!

Eliza Clark writes what I can only describe as Weird Girl Horror and this was a fun and enjoyable read. Little Chitalay was my favourite story and was chuckling along while reading it. It's the kind of dark humour that seems to be lost on some people currently. The writing was witty with a dark undercurrent that left you wondering if you were right with your assumptions.

I loved the style of this book and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Eliza Clark is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me! I’m now so excited to read the full thing!!

Hunger. That unsettling emotion that drives us, that overwhelms, that obsesses. Hunger in the most base sense, the animal instinct that takes over, that riles us up, that tips us over the edge. Hunger in its other sense, that unbearable need and want, and thirst for achievement, social recognition, a sense of community. It is hunger that takes the central stage in Eliza Clark’s debut short story collection- She’s Always Hungry.

From an incredibly unsettling story of a woman who harbors parasites in her body (La Rocca’s Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke style) enthusiastically recommending this new dieting method in an uncanny parody of certain hourglass waist influencers selling their newest starvation regime, to a creative story of a Chinese Italian restaurant with strange recipes that never deliver what they promise, told through Google reviews. Girl dinner has been served, because Clark immaculately manages to condense the whole lot of the female experience in a beauty driven world- from acne anxiety, pushing young girls to buy dark net products to try and crack their perfect skin, to going through waves of self loathing and adoration, to messy relationships that attract and repulse with their toxicity.

The female experience is captured particularly well, yet the collection also touches on some more universal and general emotions too. With speculative dystopia about sentient plants and an infection, as well as alien invasions and health anxiety, equal part grotesque, darkly hilarious, and disconcerting, there’s a truly impressive scope in this slim volume. Remarkable not only in its content, but in its style too. Many of these tales demonstrate an impressive ability to bend genres, writing styles, to inhabit another point of view much like a parasite burrows deep into the unsuspecting flesh.

Yet one can’t help but oftentimes think that the collection’s name is disappointingly apt. She’s always hungry. She, is me. These stories feel like crumbs, like a tempting aroma, a promise of a great tale which Clark masterfully builds up, shows us that it can in fact be something brilliant and breathtaking, and then!… you pick up the fork, get ready to dig into the main course, the starter was divine, immaculate, and then!… the story is filled with “and thens,” there is no main course. Just as abruptly the story ends, leaving you, well, always hungry for more. Intentional? Or just poorly executed and planned? Clark’s gift for creative world building and genuine storytelling is obvious, but the stories never feel complete. Is a longer form narrative needed? Did the printer run out of pages, being too gluttonous in its initial ink run? All the stories feel like they end too soon, except Build a Body like Mine and She’s Always Hungry. Those are the gems of the collection, perfect structuring and flawless execution from start to end, the Michelin stars in an alleyway of merely quite good restaurants.

Build a Body like Mine about the parasite diet has already been discussed as the mirror to social media “health influences” that claim “beauty is health.” Because being under fifty kg is apparently the norm everyone must follow regardless of their height, build, and the recommended health norm and body fat percentage. A4 sheet of paper thickness is the standard, and BaBLM is the most wonderful and ironic satire. She’s Always Hungry, the story, not the collection, feels like a distorted Handmaid’s Tale, coupled with mythology, the perfect combination. The parallels to Atwood’s world? Chef’s kiss. The collection itself is worth picking up if only for these gems.

Food critic’s take on today’s controversial, trigger warning filled menu: Surreal, absurd, delightful, even if it does leave you always hungry.

I will always read and enjoy anything Eliza Clark writes, and this was no exception.
I wasn’t sure how Clark’s short stories would fare as you can’t always know if a novel writer’s talent will translate to a shorter form (and vice versa), but She’s Always Hungry is full of bangers and shows her talent in both forms.
This collection is not quite as dark as I was expecting, but still gross and eerie and full of the wonderful imagery I love about her Clark’s work.

Each of these stories are phenomenal.

This sampler got me even more excited for this latest installation from Eliza Clark. Each of her books get better and better. The lyrical prose in these short stories still pack a punch.

I love that Eliza Clark is expanding into more genres in this collection so I bought the full book to read! Can’t wait to read more.

This was really amazing and I can't wait to get the copy so I can read the rest. Thanks Netgalley for the sampler!

Great read, really enjoyed this one!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access this book in exchange for my review.

A lot of times you read novels where it feels like the main point could have been better served by being a short story. Sort of feel the opposite here - would have liked a bit more time and development in the sampler story I read. Fun, but didn't go anywhere or develop anything meaningfully in the time it had. Will still check out the collection!

Although I was sent a sampler I am giving my review of the full book.

She’s Always Hungry by Eliza Clark i’s one of the most darkly captivating short story collections I’ve ever read. Every story pushes boundaries in ways that are equal parts uncomfortable, thought-provoking, and wildly entertaining. Clark has this sharp, unapologetic way of writing that makes each tale impossible to look away from, no matter how eerie or grotesque things get.

The collection explores human cravings—whether for love, beauty, validation, or control—and the extreme, often shocking lengths people will go to satisfy them. One of the stories that stuck with me was Build a Body Like Mine, where a woman takes the pursuit of the “perfect” body to horrifying extremes. It’s a searing commentary on societal pressures around body image, but it’s also disturbingly creative. Another standout is The Shadow Over Little Chitaly, told entirely through online reviews of a strange fusion restaurant. It’s funny, creepy, and brilliantly satirical—a perfect example of Clark’s ability to blend humor and horror seamlessly.

What I loved most about this collection is how bold it feels. The author doesn’t shy away from exploring uncomfortable themes, but she does it with such wit and sharpness that you can’t help but be drawn in. Her writing is visceral and often grotesque, but it’s also deeply clever, with layers of meaning beneath the surface of each story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant, as ever from Clark. Was sad to see this was just a sampler but had me eagerly anticipating the full book. Loved the inventive formatting of the reviews!

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this sample. Just by the first story, it seems like a promising collection. I am looking forward for this humor thought the book.

boring and lacked depth!! where was this even going?? disappointed is an understatement!! maybe next time, eliza clark, normally love her work

Eliza Clark strikes again with this one! Although just a sample, I adored everything about this short story. Using a series of reviews (typos and all) for the pizzeria was super engaging and the ending left me wanting to know everything about this mysterious, omnipresent place. I’m super keen for the rest of the book!

I didn't realize this was just a sampler - but it was a great tease! Waiting for my copy in the mail and can't wait to see more of the wonders (and horrors) lurking in Clark's brain.

Yet another phenomenal book from Eliza Clark. I do wish it was more than just a sampler because its left me needing more, especially if I'm able to give a more in depth review.

I waited so i could read all the book in one go and i knew i'd love it. There were an interesting variety of characters and i found them interesting to explore in their respective stories. The settings were wildly different but all stories offered a look at the different or grotesque. The writing was so easy to read and i read this in one go. This is definitely my favourite short story collection i've read in recent years!