Property – Lionel Shriver

Happy belated release day to this new collection of short stories and novellas.

Thanks to Harper Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

PROPERTY – Lionel Shriver (out now!)

My Thoughts: 5/5 stars!

If you have followed my reviews for awhile, then you’ll know that I’m a big fan of short stories and novellas. I know they’re hit or miss for a lot of people, but I have a huge appreciation for authors that can really pack a punch or leave an impression in a smaller book. PROPERTY by Lionel Shriver (author of WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN) is 10 short stories between 2 novellas. The common theme? Our relationship with property, in every sense of the word.

There are stories that range from chandeliers playing witness to a love triangle, a widow’s love/hate relationship with a tree, a mailman hoarding instead of delivering, an interaction with a TSA agent and some chapstick, a married couple divorcing but having to remain in the same household, embezzlement, and coexisting with a woman subletting before the owner can move out.

We get a glimpse into the lives of many characters with different backgrounds, troubles, and property. I loved how Shriver looked into the many meanings of the word property and our relationships with them. If you like short stories, then this is one you need to pick up. Shriver is a great writer and is able to make an impression in a small amount of pages in each story. Twelve packed into a book sounds like a lot, but I enjoyed them all!

 

What’s your favorite collection of short stories (from any author)?

–Jess