So What: Short Stories — Big Questions

by Shayan Kashani

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DID SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME?An English teacher, botanist, chef, and presidential chief of staff find common ground with an angel, humanoid, mantis, and flamingo in these tales, where existentialism and satire collide.

Ten stories explore the moments that define the choices we make, the ones made for us, and the blurred line between destiny and free will.

So what? Is there a point?

You be the judge.

200 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2025

Reviews

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun, offbeat read that lingers with you long after you finish. The author dives into big themes like AI, monogamy, and identity but without preaching or pushing any viewpoint. You’re invited to draw your own conclusions, which makes the experience feel fresh and personal.

Be ready for an eclectic mix: sci-fi, satire, philosophy, drama, and slice-of-life moments all woven together. It won't be for everyone, but if you love varied storytelling and big ideas, you'll find a lot to enjoy. The story about the White House Chief of Staff was particularly interesting as it showed Kashani's ability to hold you in suspense until the last moment and then hit you with a really big and unexpected idea.    

Perfect for fans of Haruki Murakami, George Saunders, Kurt Vonnegut, and Douglas Adams.

[Craig Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kashani has managed to make these “big questions” entertaining and if the purpose of each story was to access his critique of our conditions and conundrums he succeeded with making it accessible but not without my pausing to wonder. He managed to give me a lot to ruminate on after the book was finished. It was light enough to get through in a ‘didn’t really put it down’ fashion, and deep enough to wonder about about in a ‘high concept art fashion’.

Glad I grabbed this.

[Rajabather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossroads of Choice

This quirky collection of tales throws a bizarre cast – from angels to mantises – into thought-provoking scenarios. Existentialism meets satire in stories exploring destiny, free will, and the moments that shape us. Prepare for the unexpected and decide for yourself if there's a point to it all. Intriguing and unique!

[Michal Isocianu · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely and delightful book of short stories this is.
Very much enjoyed the tone and pace.
Thoughtful and entertaining.
The range of topics are excellent and thought provoking.
Highly recommend!

[Domenic Cicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that’ll make you think. Shayan knows how to drag you into a new world with his writing. I’ve followed his writing for years and glad to finally see it published. I hope this is just the first of many.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, quirky, innovative, and relevant, this collection of short stories will take you on a wild adventure through a land of creativity and flamingos. Not to worry, though—you'll make it home safely. Highly recommended.