Atavists is the first book by Lydia Millet that I have read, but it certainly will not be my last.

This short but impactful book features an interconnected cast of characters and their stories. Set in modern times, in an era of Gen-Z coming of age, and post-#MeToo movement, insurrection, and the COVID lockdown, these linked short stories offer witty glimpses into hindsight and explore the narratives we tell ourselves as we rationalize our experiences. They reveal how we often avoid facing uncomfortable realities and mislead ourselves to maintain a sense of comfort and control in an uncontrollable world.

I plan to re-read this book because I enjoyed it but also understood how the characters were connected by the end. I think a second reading would only enhance the experience. I highly recommend this book and am eager to explore more of the author's work.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for the advance copy.

really enjoyed the style and structure of this book! It doesn’t have a plot so much as a series of slice-of-life vignettes from an interconnected group of people. It really worked for me!

The themes are timely and relevant. It was artful how Millet was able to do such robust and individual characterization with such limited word count and across so many different generations. Some of the characters are endearing, others are awful but they’re all uniquely human. Millet doesn’t shy away from depicting humans as they are: flawed, complex, and multi-layered. Overall, the writing is fantastic - there are some beautiful turns of phrase in this book - with strong pacing. I found it really tough to set this book down!

I enjoyed this a lot! I already want to re-read to catch some of the connections between people and stories I might have missed on my first read through!

4.5