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An Astonishment of Stars: Stories
A 49th Shelf Reads 2024 Book of the Year
Longlisted for the 2025 Giller Prize
Alberta Fiction Award Finalist 2025
A beautifully written short story collection that charts the lives of racialized women as they navigate their relationships, aspirations, and the burdens of memory and expectations
This collection of finely wrought short stories explores the often invisible lives of racialized women as they walk through their days, navigating mundane microaggressions, trying on ill-fitting roles, and managing emotions they never allow others to see. There is the wife who uses the name of her white husband in public. There is the mother who cleans the small-town hospital while her daughter moves to the city and suppresses their shared past. There is the teen girl who obeys her parents even as she watches her rebellious older sister slip further and further away. Each of these characters is both familiar and singular, reminding us of women we have been, of our mothers and daughters, neighbors and adversaries.
Kirti Bhadresa is a keen observer of humanity, especially of the BIPOC women whose domestic and professional work is the backbone of late-stage capitalism but whose lives receive so little attention in mainstream culture. An Astonishment of Stars is a collection that sees those who are unseen and cuts to the heart of contemporary womanhood, community collisions, and relationships both chosen and forced upon us.
“To be a contemporary racialized woman is to be noticed but also invisible, and Bhadresa deftly explores these paradoxical spaces. A gorgeously observed collection by a wonderfully gifted writer.” — Lindsay Wong, author of The Woo-Woo and Tell Me Pleasant Things about Immortality: Stories
“Each of these stories is a small miracle, and I can’t wait to see where Bhadresa’s own star catapults from here.” — Amy Jones, author of Pebble & Dove and Every Little Piece of Me
“In stories that can encompass a novel’s worth of time and events, Kirti Bhadresa melds style and sincerity with her focused craft. With vivid insight into labour, family and different forms of exile, Bhadresa finds light in the imperfect, real lives of her characters.” — Naben Ruthnum, author of Helpmeet
“Sharply observed and gracefully told, Bhadresa offers a collection shining with all the unexpected delights and defeats that make up a life.” — Anuja Varghese, author of Chrysalis
“From rebellious teens to a levitating aunty, An Astonishment of Stars brings us unforgettable characters in stories ranging from the everyday to the fantastical. A great talent and a great read.” — Naheed Nenshi, former mayor of Calgary
“In all of her stories, Bhadresa addresses race brilliantly and incisively. A must read.” — Danila Botha, author of Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness
“Overall, An Astonishment of Stars is a compelling collection of short stories which can be enjoyed by young adult audiences and beyond. Bhadresa’s book is a great read for ethnic minorities to realize they are not alone in their experiences and for everyone else to realize the complexities of racial and cultural identities in a country as diverse as Canada.” — The Gateway
“Roveena Gnanabakthan’s narration magnifies the poignant and multifaceted stories of BIPOC women who are navigating the tensions of identity, community, and family ... The narration underscores the themes of resilience and invisibility, drawing attention to lives often overlooked while illuminating the complex intersections of contemporary womanhood and community.” — AudioFile Magazine
“In these tightly coiled and exquisitely rendered short stories, Bhadresa invites readers into the lives of ordinary characters and tilts and twists the lens just-so, in order that the truth and beauty of their lives is refracted in startling and compelling new ways ... In short, a Bhadresa short story will either make you laugh or make you cry, and frequently it will do both. An Astonishment of Stars is a deeply nuanced, intelligent new voice in the Canlit landscape that tells stories about our struggle to contemporaneously belong and to break free — or, as I imagine Bhadresa might explain it, she simply sows stories about how we branch forward gloriously once we’ve rooted ourselves strongly.” — Salma Hussain for The t?mz Review
Longlisted for the 2025 Giller Prize
Alberta Fiction Award Finalist 2025
A beautifully written short story collection that charts the lives of racialized women as they navigate their relationships, aspirations, and the burdens of memory and expectations
This collection of finely wrought short stories explores the often invisible lives of racialized women as they walk through their days, navigating mundane microaggressions, trying on ill-fitting roles, and managing emotions they never allow others to see. There is the wife who uses the name of her white husband in public. There is the mother who cleans the small-town hospital while her daughter moves to the city and suppresses their shared past. There is the teen girl who obeys her parents even as she watches her rebellious older sister slip further and further away. Each of these characters is both familiar and singular, reminding us of women we have been, of our mothers and daughters, neighbors and adversaries.
Kirti Bhadresa is a keen observer of humanity, especially of the BIPOC women whose domestic and professional work is the backbone of late-stage capitalism but whose lives receive so little attention in mainstream culture. An Astonishment of Stars is a collection that sees those who are unseen and cuts to the heart of contemporary womanhood, community collisions, and relationships both chosen and forced upon us.
“To be a contemporary racialized woman is to be noticed but also invisible, and Bhadresa deftly explores these paradoxical spaces. A gorgeously observed collection by a wonderfully gifted writer.” — Lindsay Wong, author of The Woo-Woo and Tell Me Pleasant Things about Immortality: Stories
“Each of these stories is a small miracle, and I can’t wait to see where Bhadresa’s own star catapults from here.” — Amy Jones, author of Pebble & Dove and Every Little Piece of Me
“In stories that can encompass a novel’s worth of time and events, Kirti Bhadresa melds style and sincerity with her focused craft. With vivid insight into labour, family and different forms of exile, Bhadresa finds light in the imperfect, real lives of her characters.” — Naben Ruthnum, author of Helpmeet
“Sharply observed and gracefully told, Bhadresa offers a collection shining with all the unexpected delights and defeats that make up a life.” — Anuja Varghese, author of Chrysalis
“From rebellious teens to a levitating aunty, An Astonishment of Stars brings us unforgettable characters in stories ranging from the everyday to the fantastical. A great talent and a great read.” — Naheed Nenshi, former mayor of Calgary
“In all of her stories, Bhadresa addresses race brilliantly and incisively. A must read.” — Danila Botha, author of Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness
“Overall, An Astonishment of Stars is a compelling collection of short stories which can be enjoyed by young adult audiences and beyond. Bhadresa’s book is a great read for ethnic minorities to realize they are not alone in their experiences and for everyone else to realize the complexities of racial and cultural identities in a country as diverse as Canada.” — The Gateway
“Roveena Gnanabakthan’s narration magnifies the poignant and multifaceted stories of BIPOC women who are navigating the tensions of identity, community, and family ... The narration underscores the themes of resilience and invisibility, drawing attention to lives often overlooked while illuminating the complex intersections of contemporary womanhood and community.” — AudioFile Magazine
“In these tightly coiled and exquisitely rendered short stories, Bhadresa invites readers into the lives of ordinary characters and tilts and twists the lens just-so, in order that the truth and beauty of their lives is refracted in startling and compelling new ways ... In short, a Bhadresa short story will either make you laugh or make you cry, and frequently it will do both. An Astonishment of Stars is a deeply nuanced, intelligent new voice in the Canlit landscape that tells stories about our struggle to contemporaneously belong and to break free — or, as I imagine Bhadresa might explain it, she simply sows stories about how we branch forward gloriously once we’ve rooted ourselves strongly.” — Salma Hussain for The t?mz Review
296 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2024
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250 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 16, 2024
In a Nutshell: An OwnVoices short story collection focussing mainly on BIPOC woman characters and their emotions and conflicts. Partly literary, mostly true to life, entirely character-oriented. A good read when in the right mood for something deliberate and realistic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This short story collection has fourteen character-oriented tales, with most of them coming from a woman’s perspective. There is no author’s note, but the publisher’s note at the end of the book says that it “charts the lives of racialised women as they navigate their relationships, aspirations, and the burdens of memory and expectations.” As this indicates, the dominant mood in the stories is not light and fluffy. The central characters range in age from child to adult, but the approach in every story is somewhat introspective.
The stories have been divided into three untitled sets (Part One with four tales and Parts Two and Three with five stories each), but I simply couldn’t figure out the basis of this division. Part One was the weakest for me, and had I not been an unwilling DNFer, I might have given up on this book after the third story. But good that I persisted – Parts Two and Three had some of the best character-focussed stories I have read in a long while.
The endings are not in the traditional HEA format, nor are they abrupt. Almost all stories end at a point when there is a life-changing decision or step being taken. While these may not satisfy every reader, especially those who prefer seeing happy faces at the end, they still work excellently for each narrative.
While I liked most of the endings, I struggled a bit more with the story structuring and the writing approach. It is tough to guess at the beginning of each tale the direction it will take. The story seems to meander across various points of a character’s life, whether on a single day or over a longer time period. Going with the flow would be better, as it is nigh on impossible to figure out the central intent of the narrative for at least half of the story. The overly mellow writing style doesn’t help; though I liked the stories, I didn’t feel that compulsion to keep reading more.
All the protagonists are BIPOC characters of varied ages, most coming from South Asian backgrounds and all settled in Canada. Though the racial aspect is highlighted in the theme, the stories don’t focus only on racial struggles or microaggressions. The plots are more introspective than action oriented, with each narrative delving into emotions and responses to potential challenges, which go well beyond racial identities. Also, unlike what the blurb declares, the narration isn’t always from a woman’s perspective. That said, every single story has a strong woman character, and even if we see her through the eyes of the narrator, her personality comes out strongly.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the fourteen stories, all except two reached or crossed the three stars mark, meaning I liked most of them. Here are my top favourites, with 4+ stars each.
All in all, a good collection with some true-to-life characters and realistic issues. The relatability of the characters and the situations they face, and the down-to-earth writing style, imbues every story with an honest realism.
Recommended to short story lovers who enjoy OwnVoices tales about human emotions and routine conflicts. It will work better when you are in the mood for something character-oriented and introspective.
3.55 stars, based on the average of my ratings for each tale.
My thanks to ECW Press for providing the DRC of “An Astonishment of Stars” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This short story collection has fourteen character-oriented tales, with most of them coming from a woman’s perspective. There is no author’s note, but the publisher’s note at the end of the book says that it “charts the lives of racialised women as they navigate their relationships, aspirations, and the burdens of memory and expectations.” As this indicates, the dominant mood in the stories is not light and fluffy. The central characters range in age from child to adult, but the approach in every story is somewhat introspective.
The stories have been divided into three untitled sets (Part One with four tales and Parts Two and Three with five stories each), but I simply couldn’t figure out the basis of this division. Part One was the weakest for me, and had I not been an unwilling DNFer, I might have given up on this book after the third story. But good that I persisted – Parts Two and Three had some of the best character-focussed stories I have read in a long while.
The endings are not in the traditional HEA format, nor are they abrupt. Almost all stories end at a point when there is a life-changing decision or step being taken. While these may not satisfy every reader, especially those who prefer seeing happy faces at the end, they still work excellently for each narrative.
While I liked most of the endings, I struggled a bit more with the story structuring and the writing approach. It is tough to guess at the beginning of each tale the direction it will take. The story seems to meander across various points of a character’s life, whether on a single day or over a longer time period. Going with the flow would be better, as it is nigh on impossible to figure out the central intent of the narrative for at least half of the story. The overly mellow writing style doesn’t help; though I liked the stories, I didn’t feel that compulsion to keep reading more.
All the protagonists are BIPOC characters of varied ages, most coming from South Asian backgrounds and all settled in Canada. Though the racial aspect is highlighted in the theme, the stories don’t focus only on racial struggles or microaggressions. The plots are more introspective than action oriented, with each narrative delving into emotions and responses to potential challenges, which go well beyond racial identities. Also, unlike what the blurb declares, the narration isn’t always from a woman’s perspective. That said, every single story has a strong woman character, and even if we see her through the eyes of the narrator, her personality comes out strongly.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the fourteen stories, all except two reached or crossed the three stars mark, meaning I liked most of them. Here are my top favourites, with 4+ stars each.
🍁 Backstage Passes: Is rebellion really worth it? An interesting look at this question through the lives of two sisters in a conservative Indian family now settled in Canada. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍁 The Fundraiser: The travails of being a South Asian school mom in the US. Quite different from typical stories with this premise. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🍁 Daksha Takes the Cake: Such a lovely story about an aspiring writer who discovers a hobby! I loved how heartfelt and down-to-earth this was. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍁 The Illness: A love story. Not romance, not lust, not steam. Just genuine, down-to-earth, heartfelt love. One of the most beautiful stories I have read in a long time. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍁 Braids: Rarely do we see the story of an Indian dad trying to connect with his teen daughter. That unusual perspective itself makes this a winner, but the plot and the dual-narrative perspective adds to the impact. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍁 The Worrier: A man takes multiple years to realise the purpose of his life. Enjoyed the subtle drama of this story, though it was a bit too meandering. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
All in all, a good collection with some true-to-life characters and realistic issues. The relatability of the characters and the situations they face, and the down-to-earth writing style, imbues every story with an honest realism.
Recommended to short story lovers who enjoy OwnVoices tales about human emotions and routine conflicts. It will work better when you are in the mood for something character-oriented and introspective.
3.55 stars, based on the average of my ratings for each tale.
My thanks to ECW Press for providing the DRC of “An Astonishment of Stars” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
September 12, 2024
I was going to begin my review by calling this collection unique but would be remiss not to mention how annoying of an adjective that is for me to use here. It's only society's default to eurocentrism that causes this to feel "unique" to me; Let me be clear I only mean the book itself, not the experiences depicted within. I am, quite frankly, ashamed for not having previously put in the effort to seek out BIPOC authors and stories. Had I done so, I'm curious if I would have been able to appreciate the nuances of her writing itself, more than the bigger picture of each story taking so much attention, as they felt so new and unique to me. Or is it better that I didn't focus on the writing, and instead took in the heart of the stories? Of course, there is the option to revisit this as well, each time focusing on one or the other. I could (and will in my head) keep going back and forth on this.
For the stories themselves:
There were a few stories that I couldn't tell you a single detail about. It was a battle to get through at points; If it wasn't a book I'd been approved by NetGalley for review, I would have given up on this after coming upon the first story that bored me. That being said, I am SO glad I didn't give up. Some of the hardest hitting stories were toward the end. Admittedly I'm not sure if there's a strategy to organizing a collection of stories like this, but I have to assume there is... I'd be interested to learn if this follows that strategy.
The lulls were just SO apparent and hard to overcome for me, preventing a 5/5 star rating. Aside from those, I was really moved by the remainders and enjoyed Kirti Bhadresa's style of writing.
The stories that have stuck with me most are:
Backstage Passes
Daksha Takes the Cake
The Illness
Heads Are Going to Roll
The Doctors' Lounge
The Gossip
In a Name
{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Kirti Bhadresa and publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}
For the stories themselves:
There were a few stories that I couldn't tell you a single detail about. It was a battle to get through at points; If it wasn't a book I'd been approved by NetGalley for review, I would have given up on this after coming upon the first story that bored me. That being said, I am SO glad I didn't give up. Some of the hardest hitting stories were toward the end. Admittedly I'm not sure if there's a strategy to organizing a collection of stories like this, but I have to assume there is... I'd be interested to learn if this follows that strategy.
The lulls were just SO apparent and hard to overcome for me, preventing a 5/5 star rating. Aside from those, I was really moved by the remainders and enjoyed Kirti Bhadresa's style of writing.
The stories that have stuck with me most are:
Backstage Passes
Daksha Takes the Cake
The Illness
Heads Are Going to Roll
The Doctors' Lounge
The Gossip
In a Name
{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Kirti Bhadresa and publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}
September 13, 2024
This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Kirti Bhadresa, ECW Press Audio, and NetGalley.
This audiobook is narrated by Roveena Gnanabakthan. Roveena did a great job. She used different voices and accents to bring these stories to life. I would recommend that readers consume this on audiobook. The narration really adds to the experience of the stories.
This follows the theme of the children of immigrants to Canada. Some stories covered days while some stories covered decades. Most of the stories dealt with and focused on family relationships and dynamics. Some stories were simple domestic dramas, some were coming-of-age focused, and some employed magical realism. It was a mixed bag focused on familial and cultural expectations pressed against the cultural norms of Canadian and the larger Western worlds' expectations. My favorite of the short stories was Backstage Passes, a tale of 2 sisters that followed them both for decades.
Oerall, I found the stories touching, engaging, and relatable. My maternal grandmother was an immigrant with my mother and her siblings, the first generation born in the US.
Thank you to Kirti Bhadresa, ECW Press Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This audiobook is narrated by Roveena Gnanabakthan. Roveena did a great job. She used different voices and accents to bring these stories to life. I would recommend that readers consume this on audiobook. The narration really adds to the experience of the stories.
This follows the theme of the children of immigrants to Canada. Some stories covered days while some stories covered decades. Most of the stories dealt with and focused on family relationships and dynamics. Some stories were simple domestic dramas, some were coming-of-age focused, and some employed magical realism. It was a mixed bag focused on familial and cultural expectations pressed against the cultural norms of Canadian and the larger Western worlds' expectations. My favorite of the short stories was Backstage Passes, a tale of 2 sisters that followed them both for decades.
Oerall, I found the stories touching, engaging, and relatable. My maternal grandmother was an immigrant with my mother and her siblings, the first generation born in the US.
Thank you to Kirti Bhadresa, ECW Press Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
October 13, 2024
You know I love indie CanLit and short stories so I was really excited to read AN ASTONISHMENT OF STARS by Kirti Bhadresa. I really enjoyed all fourteen stories! I liked how these stories focused on female points of view, women’s lives and family life. I liked how the first two stories were about teenage girls going to summer camp and concerts which was so relatable. My fave stories were The Illness which is a sad story and Braids which is about a family with biracial children. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator Roveena Gnanabakthan was so great and really brought these stories to life. I love how the cute cover relates to one of the stories!
Thank you to ECW Press for my ARC!
Thank you to ECW Press for my ARC!
August 30, 2025
What an exquisite short story collection, An Astonishment of Stars!
This collection is full of women and girls who want something different than is expected of them. It captures the tension between the old and the new, the joys of being alone, and the weight of expectations.
Backstage Passes and The Gossip were my favorites.
So glad I stopped at @cafebooks and met author @beingkirti while on vacation.
This collection is full of women and girls who want something different than is expected of them. It captures the tension between the old and the new, the joys of being alone, and the weight of expectations.
Backstage Passes and The Gossip were my favorites.
So glad I stopped at @cafebooks and met author @beingkirti while on vacation.
November 7, 2024
Love love love this book!
I normally find myself disappointed with short stories; maybe there’s just not enough time to work through the stories… That was not the case with this collection. I felt like I knew the characters and wasn’t left feeling like things ended too abruptly.
I’m look forward to seeing what comes next!
I normally find myself disappointed with short stories; maybe there’s just not enough time to work through the stories… That was not the case with this collection. I felt like I knew the characters and wasn’t left feeling like things ended too abruptly.
I’m look forward to seeing what comes next!
October 20, 2024
A superb short story collection. These short stories appear to be effortlessly written as it shines into the interior lives of South Asians in Canada. There are so many sharp observations of daily living, including tiny and consistent cuts that can wear down the soul. Yet, each story shows a kind of resilience that is found in human nature. Such a readable collection and yet I wanted to savor each story as if it were the last.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
ETA: Staff Pick November 2024
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
ETA: Staff Pick November 2024
September 10, 2024
All of these stories were either 4 or 5 stars for me. It was an emotional read that speaks a lot about how individual South Asians have emigrated to Canada. There is talk of ignorance, racism, culture and forgetting heritage. I felt like the stories were sitting you down with the characters to hear their thoughts and feelings. My favourite story was with the family who bought the restaurant, it broke my heart.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 5, 2025
I seem to enjoy short story collections the most when they are both beautiful & sad. These stories are an examination of what it means to live life on your own terms, to break away from cultural expectations, re-defining happiness & discovering who you are vs who you think you’re supposed to be.
Loved it.
Loved it.
October 9, 2024
ARC review: An Astonishment of Stars : Published Oct 2024
~
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
~
As a white woman living in England, there is a lot in this collection that I don’t relate to - but that’s absolutely fine! Because there was also a lot that I DID relate to. The crux of this collection explores what life is like for racialized women going about their daily life. It shows women navigating microaggressions, embracing their roots, fulfilling familial expectations, or even rejecting them. All of these stories remind us of lives we’ve lived, or lives our mothers or grandmothers have lived. They are beautiful, full of emotion and history, love and loss.
Whilst there is a lot that I will never experience, I found myself connecting to so many of these tales. There were so many incredible conversations about grief and self-love, and it is such a powerful collection of short stories.
~
My three favourites were (in no particular order) : 1) Invasion - this tale put the fears of pregnancy alongside an ant infestation. The exploration of anxiety mixed with the fears and frustration of the rest of that environment was done so well! 2) Daksha Takes the Cake - for me, this was the most relatable. During this story, Daksha balances her passion for writing alongside her intrigue and love of baking. It’s a tale about learning and failing, and being able to get back up again. 3) The Illness - this was the most emotional of the collection, exploring the love one man has for his wife, and how his world shuts down when she falls ill. It shows how grieving can happen even before someone dies. However, it also expresses community spirit and the healing power of food.
~
So many of these stories were so beautiful to read, but I think, in all honesty, I often struggle to connect with short stories. I tend not to read short stories, and this was my attempt at branching out. They are all brilliantly written, and there was so much I loved about them. However, I wasn’t always drawn to pick this book back up and it took me a long time to get through.
~
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
~
As a white woman living in England, there is a lot in this collection that I don’t relate to - but that’s absolutely fine! Because there was also a lot that I DID relate to. The crux of this collection explores what life is like for racialized women going about their daily life. It shows women navigating microaggressions, embracing their roots, fulfilling familial expectations, or even rejecting them. All of these stories remind us of lives we’ve lived, or lives our mothers or grandmothers have lived. They are beautiful, full of emotion and history, love and loss.
Whilst there is a lot that I will never experience, I found myself connecting to so many of these tales. There were so many incredible conversations about grief and self-love, and it is such a powerful collection of short stories.
~
My three favourites were (in no particular order) : 1) Invasion - this tale put the fears of pregnancy alongside an ant infestation. The exploration of anxiety mixed with the fears and frustration of the rest of that environment was done so well! 2) Daksha Takes the Cake - for me, this was the most relatable. During this story, Daksha balances her passion for writing alongside her intrigue and love of baking. It’s a tale about learning and failing, and being able to get back up again. 3) The Illness - this was the most emotional of the collection, exploring the love one man has for his wife, and how his world shuts down when she falls ill. It shows how grieving can happen even before someone dies. However, it also expresses community spirit and the healing power of food.
~
So many of these stories were so beautiful to read, but I think, in all honesty, I often struggle to connect with short stories. I tend not to read short stories, and this was my attempt at branching out. They are all brilliantly written, and there was so much I loved about them. However, I wasn’t always drawn to pick this book back up and it took me a long time to get through.
November 7, 2025
Summer Camp
Kid who doesn't like camp. Wasn't very interesting.
Backstage Passes
The "good" daughter and the "bad" daughter. Liked this one.
Invasion
Pregnancy. Just not a subject that I care about.
Lighten Up
An aunt and niece and levitation. Lovely story about family and acceptance.
The Fundraiser
School and mom's. Liked this one, kinda funny.
Daksha Takes the Cake
Writing books and cake competition. Good story.
The Illness
A couple suffer with an illness. Bittersweet.
Heads Are Going to Roll
Overconfident business owner. Rolled my eyes at this guy.
The Doctor's Lounge
Mother working in a doctor's office. The privilege and racism, seriously.
Braids
Family vacation. Good story
The Gossip
The neighbourhood corner store. This was okay.
In a Name
A wife reclaiming her heritage. Irrationally irritated with this character.
The Worrier
First generation immigrant kid not meeting expectations. Surprisingly good.
An Astonishment of Stars
A story of grief. Well done.
I was not expecting to like this collection, didn't seem like my style, but it was really good.
Kid who doesn't like camp. Wasn't very interesting.
Backstage Passes
The "good" daughter and the "bad" daughter. Liked this one.
Invasion
Pregnancy. Just not a subject that I care about.
Lighten Up
An aunt and niece and levitation. Lovely story about family and acceptance.
The Fundraiser
School and mom's. Liked this one, kinda funny.
Daksha Takes the Cake
Writing books and cake competition. Good story.
The Illness
A couple suffer with an illness. Bittersweet.
Heads Are Going to Roll
Overconfident business owner. Rolled my eyes at this guy.
The Doctor's Lounge
Mother working in a doctor's office. The privilege and racism, seriously.
Braids
Family vacation. Good story
The Gossip
The neighbourhood corner store. This was okay.
In a Name
A wife reclaiming her heritage. Irrationally irritated with this character.
The Worrier
First generation immigrant kid not meeting expectations. Surprisingly good.
An Astonishment of Stars
A story of grief. Well done.
I was not expecting to like this collection, didn't seem like my style, but it was really good.
February 18, 2025
I enjoyed hearing stories from another perspective, but the writing in most of them fell flat for me. A few were amazing, the rest were 'meh.' Many of the best ones were near the end, so it took time to press on to them.
June 8, 2025
Evocative title - is that really the collective noun for stars? It’s beautiful. ‘Lighten Up’ was one of my favorite short stories in the collection, a cool aunt who meditates and levitates. Themes of family, identity, and racial microaggressions.
June 10, 2025
I love a Calgary shout out, and also love a Calgary Public Library shout out!
January 1, 2026
I literally loved all the stories included in this collection. Which is rare. a great way to end 2025!!
April 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 - What a beautifully written short story collection! ✨
An Astonishment of Stars is a stunning collection of stories exploring the lives of South Asian women as they walk through life navigating relationships, expectations, micro-aggressions, and managing emotions they never allow others to see.
I'm not usually someone who gravitates towards short stories, but this book was incredibly captivating, atmospheric, and full of heart. There were so many moments when reading where I checked myself and my privilege and gave me lots to consider in all my future interactions.
My favourite stories were "Dasha Takes the Cake" and "Illness" - I could totally see them becoming a full novel!
Every story elicits lots of emotions. I think lovers of poetry or literary fiction would particularly enjoy this book.
Thank you so much @ecwpress for my gifted copy!
An Astonishment of Stars is a stunning collection of stories exploring the lives of South Asian women as they walk through life navigating relationships, expectations, micro-aggressions, and managing emotions they never allow others to see.
I'm not usually someone who gravitates towards short stories, but this book was incredibly captivating, atmospheric, and full of heart. There were so many moments when reading where I checked myself and my privilege and gave me lots to consider in all my future interactions.
My favourite stories were "Dasha Takes the Cake" and "Illness" - I could totally see them becoming a full novel!
Every story elicits lots of emotions. I think lovers of poetry or literary fiction would particularly enjoy this book.
Thank you so much @ecwpress for my gifted copy!
August 27, 2024
Listening to this on audio is a very relaxing experience. Roveena Gnanabhaktan has a very soothing voice and on x1.25 speed this works perfectly for me.
The stories themselves are simple (compared to the fantasy genre I usually gravitate towards) but endearing. I find that I care for the characters quickly as they are written in such a way that makes them feel real.
The writing itself isn't my all-time favourite, and I feel if I was reading instead of listening this may lessen my enjoyment, but the way the characters come to life is amazing. I can picture everything that is happening and feel like I'm witnessing a snapshot of someone's life.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the ALC
The stories themselves are simple (compared to the fantasy genre I usually gravitate towards) but endearing. I find that I care for the characters quickly as they are written in such a way that makes them feel real.
The writing itself isn't my all-time favourite, and I feel if I was reading instead of listening this may lessen my enjoyment, but the way the characters come to life is amazing. I can picture everything that is happening and feel like I'm witnessing a snapshot of someone's life.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the ALC
October 21, 2024
AN ASTONISHMENT OF STARS is a collection of short stories.The stories are about Southeast Asian/Canadian women and how they learn to navigate life, love, relationships and deal with conflict.
Overall I think the stories in AN ASTONISHMENT OF STARS are strong, insightful and thought provoking.
Thank you to ECW Press for providing an advanced Ebook edition of AN ASTONISHMENT OF STARS by Kirti Bhadresa.
Overall I think the stories in AN ASTONISHMENT OF STARS are strong, insightful and thought provoking.
Thank you to ECW Press for providing an advanced Ebook edition of AN ASTONISHMENT OF STARS by Kirti Bhadresa.
February 7, 2025
I enjoyed the reflective nature of these short stories, which explored a variety of themes surrounding family, identity, and cultural expectations. In addition to the title story, “The Illness” and “Backstage Passes” were highlights from the collection.
October 10, 2024
I appreciated meeting these characters and seeing their daily struggles, the evolution of their relationships, and their various small rebellions.
February 4, 2025
3.5 rounded up
February 9, 2025
A collection of wonderfully written short stories.
January 6, 2026
An Astonishment of Stars is a confident debut that succeeds on the strength of its stories while also gesturing toward the broader conditions that make such work possible. Kirti’s collection feels shaped by attention—by a seriousness of craft and an understanding of how short fiction is built over time, through patience, revision, and restraint.
The stories themselves are precise and emotionally attuned. Kirti writes from within domestic and social interiors where tension rarely announces itself loudly. Instead, it accumulates through small decisions, unspoken compromises, and moments when characters recognize—sometimes too late—the cost of accommodation. Her prose is clear without being plain, observant without strain. The sentences trust implication. They allow silence to carry meaning.
What distinguishes this collection is its refusal to overstate its ambitions. These stories do not strain toward spectacle or explanation; they remain grounded in the particular, allowing complexity to emerge naturally. Kirti writes toward clarity rather than declaration, and that clarity feels earned rather than imposed.
The work showcases a generosity of scale. The collection does not attempt to stand in for an entire community or experience. Instead, it offers carefully rendered lives, trusting that resonance will arise from attention rather than emphasis. This modesty is one of the book’s quiet strengths.
An Astonishment of Stars marks the arrival of a writer confident in her method and commitments. It is a collection that understands fiction as an act of listening as much as assertion, and it rewards readers willing to meet it in that attentive space.
The stories themselves are precise and emotionally attuned. Kirti writes from within domestic and social interiors where tension rarely announces itself loudly. Instead, it accumulates through small decisions, unspoken compromises, and moments when characters recognize—sometimes too late—the cost of accommodation. Her prose is clear without being plain, observant without strain. The sentences trust implication. They allow silence to carry meaning.
What distinguishes this collection is its refusal to overstate its ambitions. These stories do not strain toward spectacle or explanation; they remain grounded in the particular, allowing complexity to emerge naturally. Kirti writes toward clarity rather than declaration, and that clarity feels earned rather than imposed.
The work showcases a generosity of scale. The collection does not attempt to stand in for an entire community or experience. Instead, it offers carefully rendered lives, trusting that resonance will arise from attention rather than emphasis. This modesty is one of the book’s quiet strengths.
An Astonishment of Stars marks the arrival of a writer confident in her method and commitments. It is a collection that understands fiction as an act of listening as much as assertion, and it rewards readers willing to meet it in that attentive space.
May 8, 2025
An Astonishment of Stars was an interesting book. As with every short story collection I've ever read, I enjoyed some stories more than others. This book's description calls it, a "short story collection that charts the lives of racialized women as they navigate their relationships, aspirations, and the burdens of memory and expectations" which is a decent enough description.
The stories are generally (though not all) about women of various ages, and I found most of the stories interesting. Many of them don't end with a happily ever after, but rather a moment of change or decisiveness or a completed action - and often left me wanting just a little bit more of a their story. I particularly enjoyed the story "Lighten Up" about a college piano player named Naina and her frail aunt, Shanti, and for reasons I can't explain, the title story.
Kirti Bhadresa share the challenges, micro-aggressions, family expectations and moments both grand and mundane of the characters. If you're looking for more diverse reading options, this short story collection is a great place to start.
The stories are generally (though not all) about women of various ages, and I found most of the stories interesting. Many of them don't end with a happily ever after, but rather a moment of change or decisiveness or a completed action - and often left me wanting just a little bit more of a their story. I particularly enjoyed the story "Lighten Up" about a college piano player named Naina and her frail aunt, Shanti, and for reasons I can't explain, the title story.
Kirti Bhadresa share the challenges, micro-aggressions, family expectations and moments both grand and mundane of the characters. If you're looking for more diverse reading options, this short story collection is a great place to start.
September 10, 2024
Here is a short story collection that shows you can write powerful stories with quiet sensitivity. Instead of relying on shock value or plot twists to engage, Kirti Bhadresa's collection explores earnestness and reaches new levels of vulnerability.
Bhadresa's stories are deceptively straightforward. Her writing gives just enough detail to let your imagination fill in the rest.
This collection explores Southeast Asian/Canadian identities and challenges readers who may tend to flatten these varied experiences.
Characters bloom in their carefully considered settings. And most, if not all, of the stories end with a certain sense of release or renewal.
The softness doesn't mean Bhadresa shies away from difficult subjects like death or grief. "The Illness" made me cry and I find myself continuing to think about "Lighten Up."
I received a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley and ECW Press in exchange for an honest review.
Bhadresa's stories are deceptively straightforward. Her writing gives just enough detail to let your imagination fill in the rest.
This collection explores Southeast Asian/Canadian identities and challenges readers who may tend to flatten these varied experiences.
Characters bloom in their carefully considered settings. And most, if not all, of the stories end with a certain sense of release or renewal.
The softness doesn't mean Bhadresa shies away from difficult subjects like death or grief. "The Illness" made me cry and I find myself continuing to think about "Lighten Up."
I received a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley and ECW Press in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2024
~E-ARC review via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own~
An Astonishment of Stars by Kirti Bhadresa captured my attention from the first page. An array of short stories, some even feeling closer to flash fiction, take the reader through many characters' nuanced lives and relationships. I found myself heartbroken when certain stories ended, smiling and crying during others, and like I was looking into stunning windows the author so carefully created. One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the gentle certainty with which the author used the setting and characters to explore larger life and intersectional themes.
I would recommend this book to anyone, but lovers of literary fiction short stories will especially adore this introspective deep dive into characters and their most delicate turning points and moments.
An Astonishment of Stars by Kirti Bhadresa captured my attention from the first page. An array of short stories, some even feeling closer to flash fiction, take the reader through many characters' nuanced lives and relationships. I found myself heartbroken when certain stories ended, smiling and crying during others, and like I was looking into stunning windows the author so carefully created. One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the gentle certainty with which the author used the setting and characters to explore larger life and intersectional themes.
I would recommend this book to anyone, but lovers of literary fiction short stories will especially adore this introspective deep dive into characters and their most delicate turning points and moments.
September 10, 2024
This book is compromised of short stories, and each story is about a different woman and the various struggles each face. The author tackles microagressions, racism, what it means to be a woman, daily life, among other things we face daily. I think the author did an amazing job highlighting these obstacles.
Overall, this was enjoyable as each short story highlighted an experience and wrapped up nicely. Some had enough to make me want a full novel! It was atmospheric, women's lit. It just didn't really stick with me for lasting impact and I think I would have preferred to physically read over audio. I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the audio ARC.
Overall, this was enjoyable as each short story highlighted an experience and wrapped up nicely. Some had enough to make me want a full novel! It was atmospheric, women's lit. It just didn't really stick with me for lasting impact and I think I would have preferred to physically read over audio. I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the audio ARC.
December 22, 2024
This is a collection of short stories centred around women of colour in their various roles and relationships as mother, daughter, sister, wife, lover and friend. Each story is distinct although there are a few moments of overlap between some of the women. One woman uses her husband's in public because it is "easier" for people to say and spell. One woman rebels against her strict upbringing. One woman moves to one of the territories to be a weather scientist. Each one is a tiny glimpse into a sliver of life as a racialized woman in Canada. It's always fun to share your city with an author!
June 17, 2025
Perhaps if readers are fans of short stories, they might enjoy this book. I'm not one of them. I couldn't find any theme uniting theses stories aside from the fact that they all have a disgruntled female protagonist. The ones I read never came to a conclusion. There just wasn't a story. It was simply a snapshot of a woman's life that didn't seem to have an ending. And short stories should have an ending much like a novel.
This was one of those rare occurrences where I didn't finish the collection. Perhaps another reader will see this collection differently.
This was one of those rare occurrences where I didn't finish the collection. Perhaps another reader will see this collection differently.
August 18, 2024
I was asked to read and review this as an ARC. Unfortunately, I did not realize that this was a series of short stories(which I do not read) . I did ,however, attempt to read this book. The first few stories that I read were acceptable reads .I was not able to finish this book as I dislike short stories.
I do apologize but as I said. I didnt realize that this was a collection of shorts.
I do apologize but as I said. I didnt realize that this was a collection of shorts.
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