Disasters in the First World: Stories

by Olivia Clare

Olivia Clare’s delightfully strange and tender debut collection traces the impact of larger-than-life forces on everyday people. From siblings whose relationship is as fragile as glass, to a woman grappling with both an emotional and physical drought, to a superstitious spouse fearful of misfortune, Disasters in the First World explores the real and the imagined, environmental and man-made calamities, and the human need to comprehend the unknown.

In “Pittsburgh in Copenhagen,” a man and a woman confront infidelity and estrangement as they share one last night together. “Pétur” tells the tale of a son who takes his mother on an Icelandic vacation only to be stranded there by a volcanic eruption. “Rusalka’s Long Legs” follows a young girl’s treacherously long walk through the woods with her unpredictable mother. And in “The Visigoths,” an older sister finally breaks through to her idiosyncratic brother.

With precision and grace, the thirteen stories in this collection capture the fragility of troubled lives caught in disrupted turbulence, moments of connection―no matter how fleeting. Through these intimate, profoundly moving worlds, Clare’s voice rises as a distinctive new American storyteller.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Climate Change Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2017

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird, very weird
That was the oddest bunch of stories I have ever read. I was always trying to search for meaning or symbolism, figuring there had to be some there, but couldn't come up with much. I was always thinking that the author is trying to say something, but what it is (to me) is a mystery. There was never any closure either-- it was like I was left hanging every time. There were strange conversations as well-- I kept wondering if perhaps the book was written while the author was under the influence of hallucinogens part of the time... like I would think "ok-- maybe this will make sense-- we are starting to get somewhere" then-- nope, cause a crazy conversation started, and whatever progress I thought had been made was gone. Maybe I would have understood it if I had been under some influence...LOL

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I randomly picked up this book (I liked the cover and title) I had no idea what to expect. But from the first sentence I found myself completely drawn in by Clare's language, narrative pacing, and tone. Each one of these stories captures something strange, beautiful, frightening, revelatory, and sometimes painful. The characters are individuals at once familiar and alien, like something recovered from your past or your dreams, something uncanny--as intimate as your face in the mirror, as unknown as strangers on the street. The settings for some of the stories--especially the Atchafalaya river in the story "Quiet! Quiet!"-- create a haunting sense of timelessness and tragic urgency, as if these "disasters" are somehow archetypes of a recurring human drama. "Disasters in the First World" is a very ambitious and impressive accomplishment.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

GNab I received a free electronic copy of this collection of short stories from Netgalley, Olivia Clare, and Grove Atlantic, Grove Press, Black Cat in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all, for sharing your work with me.

Some of these stories spoke to my soul. All are filled with heart and a complete understanding of the quirks of humanity. And all can guide you through turmoil with a level head and an understanding of the playing field. If you love short stories you should read this book. And if you are feeling put-upon (as I was, when I started this!) please put yourself in Adams shoes, or Emilie's. Olivia Clare paints precious word pictures even when she is discussing volcanic ash or a drought so extended that drinking water in Las Vegas costs more than booze or drugs.

pub date June 13, 2017
Grove Atlantic Grove Press, Black Cat

[Gloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's nothing I like better than a good book of short stories. But this was not one. There was maybe one interesting story that had potential to be really good. All the others, I couldn't get into, didn't like, and didn't see the point of. I can't really explain why. They just kind of sucked.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cautious two stars: this might be a very good book, but I'm afraid it left me cold and some stories I just didn't "get". One thing Olivia Clare has going for her is she writes characters very well - these stories are inhabited by rounded, complex individuals dealing with life in the best way they know how, often confronting mental health issues. That latter aspect sometimes lends a refreshingly different flavour to these stories, but equally can give them a ponderous otherworldliness that borders on pretentiousness. The problem I had though was that I couldn't figure out what most of these stories were trying to say - their endings often imply profundity but left me scratching my head. If I'd found them more engaging I'd have re-read them. Also, some odd turns of phrase: "ivory-green" (which sounds like a colour on a paint chart) to describe a sea?

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and strange. The author's ability to create a sense of place worked perfectly for me, as did her spare descriptions of disastrous circumstances. I could almost feel the ash falling from the sky in Iceland and I could relate all too well to Miranda's sense of unraveling.

I especially loved Eye of Water. The description of Las Vegas after Lake Mead runs out is, I fear, an eerily accurate portrayal of the future of Clark County. I know that I have felt such profound thirst in the mirage of the vast Nevada desert.

In the interest of full disclosure, Olivia Clare is a colleague. (Though I suspect that might make me more anxious about rating a collection so highly!)

[Emi Yoshida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich and colorful collection of short stories that take place all over the map, in contexts of geography, time, and socioeconomics. Olivia Clare's pieces are imaginative and varied, and where I think this writer excels is with her highly convincing, engaging, and pithy dialog, particularly that of the characters with mental illnesses: the mom with dementia visiting Iceland, the kid brother at an art museum who commits the unthinkable, a party full of people on acid, a woman escaping an asylum with her daughter, and my favorite - Cullen the delusional houseguest. The shorts collected here range from fantastical stories, to plebeian family stories with a twist, and even include science fiction (Eye of Water). Where other writers over-embellish, Clare shows great restraint; the tension and suspense in these stories is palpable.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book contained a few beginnings, a few middles, and maybe one complete story. There was just enough interesting about each piece to get me through the whole book but in the end nothing worked for me.
In reading the authors biography I think the problem I had was these should be poems and not stories. They are small little snippets of life that would soar as bits of verse about the human condition but fall flat and thin under the dissection of the added weight of prose.

[Antonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’d like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book through NetGalley.

“Disasters in the First World” is a collection of short stories written by Olivia Clare.
I wouldn’t say I liked the book much. The characters were not relatable at least to me. Some situations were relatable, but it makes sense since the characters all live in the “First World”. There where parts I didn’t understand no matter how many times I went through them. I’m not sure I understood the said “disasters” in the stories. Sometimes they reminded me mental illnesses and others well nothing at all. Some stories were even weird and disturbing. It is addressed to adults mostly, because there were some sexual references. The writing was very descriptive and detailed and probably the reason why I’ll give it 2 stars. Other than that I found it simply okay. Overall, the book addresses subjects that other people may find relatable or at least interesting. I’m possibly too young to grasp some of the themes or they weren’t properly described. The writing is great and it saved the whole book for me, so I do recommend it!

[Myndi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every once in a while, a book comes along that I can’t summarize, and this is one of those. Disasters in the First World is a collection of short stories. And the truth is, it wasn’t for me.

The stories didn’t appear to have any connection or underlying thread, or at least none that I could see. The only thing they really had in common was their strangeness. Not that I mind strangeness. In fact, I really crave some serious strange on the regular. But this wasn’t that kind of strange. Some of the stories made very little sense, and towards the end, everything felt so disjointed that I just couldn’t wait to be done with it. There wasn’t a single story that spoke to me, that made me feel, that I even kind of cared about. Ultimately, finishing the last few stories became work – work I didn’t want to do, but felt compelled to because I’d already gotten so far.

While I can certainly understand how others might find something redeeming in this collection, I’m clearly not one of those people.

Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.

[Care · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disasters in the First World is a collection of bizarre, imaginative, and sometimes wild short stories that address topics from natural disasters to mental illness to racism and fetishization, from the worst to the not-so-bad of humanity with all its twists and nuances. Please note that the collection does include references to non-consensual and consensual sexual material.

I found many of the short stories interesting and fascinating insights into various aspects of human society. While the overall flavor of the book was not entirely to my taste, I found the stories intriguing and sometimes bewildering or even disturbing. Some highlights include a story written entirely in letters and a tale set in a desiccated, dehydrating world. The stories, even the ones I did not particularly enjoy, were all well-written, beautifully descriptive and excellently executed.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair review!

[Elite Group · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Series of short stories

Olivia Clare’ book is a series of short stories about many of the world concerns of today, depression, drought, environment as well as other worldly concerns.


I was pleased to finish this book, I didn’t understand a word of it. The stories had no point, they just seemed like 192 pages of ramblings. I am sorry if I seem harsh, but it really was awful in my opinion.

I can see what the author is trying to do but just doesn’t seem to pull it off.

I will read another of her books when they are published to see if it is just a hitch.

Helen

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

[Aimee (Book It Forward) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the Advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately not every book we pickup is a book we read and love. I had high hopes with this collection of short stories but it left me wanting more. I found myself a bit bewildered reading some of them. I couldn't follow the storylines despite re-reading certain parts. I didn't find characters that I enjoyed reading about or that I found redeeming qualities in either. That being said, while I didn't enjoy this book, I'm sure lots of others will.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially loved the stories in this collection that were about free-spirited moms with boring sons. It was an interesting reversal of expectations, which I think this author does well in general. Her spare language conveys impressive character development and setting without being heavy handed. I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Sandy Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories that explore the intimate and fragile nature of relationships. For me, a successful short story is one that leaves you wanting to know more, and this book achieved that goal.

[Cheryl Bellingham · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would be unfair for me to write a review as I just did not get in with this book. I did not understand it

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

My interest waned the further I read, but I don't know if that's because of the overall experience or because of those stories in particular.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of stories, Clare has a wonderful way of words and command of language.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this voice--playful, tender and witty while being full of gravity and mystery. It seems to grace whatever it describes and its sense of search and yearning is contagious.

[ReadingwhileWalking · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olivia Clare is a very good but not outstanding short story writer and I wonder how she came to have her book reviewed in the New York Times, while others of her calibre sink into oblivion when their books come out? Her stories have won an O. Henry prize and (a very good story about migrants viewing an asteroid crater crash) was published in Granta. I do enjoy her work and admire it very much in places; I just wonder how she managed to raise her head above the very high bar set by all the equally talented short story writers out there. But hey. Well done Olivia Clare!

Anyhow, what we have here is a group of loosely themed stories, many of which revolve around characters suffering from mental illness and show (rather than ask) how nominally sane sons, mothers, sisters and brothers deal with that. There's a son watching over his increasingly elusive mother in a volcanic ash storm in Iceland, where the ash clouds may stand in for the surreality of reality, as his mother invents herself a imaginary lover. There's the half-sister watching over her (autistic?) half-brother, whose act of destruction in a museum is the result of inner logic rather than rebellion. There's a brother watching over his depressed and possibly suicidal sister in a epistolatory/email story, where the thin thread of virtual communication may or may not provide the sister's last connection and hope. And there's a young daughter who is physically harmed by her terrifyingly crazy mother when she escapes with her daughter from the asylum where she is interned. My favourite (along with the migrant/asteroid tale) is Olivia, about a imaginary cat which, oddly, shares a name with the author, and is invented by a house guest who insists that the cat is real. Imaginary lovers, pets and creatures pop up in many of these stories, posing questions about whose 'reality' is more important-- or indeed, more 'real'. Mothers in many of these stories are at best, ineffectual and wrong-headed and at worst, dangerous, and it is tempting to wonder whether Clare's almost-obsession with mental illness and its effect on families is based on personal experience. I was going to say that quirkiness stands in for emotional connection, as it does in the work of Miranda July, Claire Wigmore or Tania Hershman (none of whom are my favourite writers) but that wouldn't be fair or true. In fact, many of the stories have a delicate emotional sub-text. In Pittsburgh in Copenhagen, for instance an older American married man and a younger, divorced Danish woman are having an affair but refuse to acknowledge any emotional commitment, until a bunch of tulips is delivered to her house by mistake and she sees that perhaps he cares about who they might have been from. This is subtle stuff and makes the book worth reading though more clarity would be beneficial at times. Reviewing this collection, puzzling over its recurrent strands has made me reevaluate it a little. Clare deserves her review in the NYT. Now what about billing some of those other deserving upcoming writers out there equally?

[Anatoly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story "Pétur" by Olivia Clare tells about a woman who traveled with her middle-aged son to Iceland.

It was her dream to see her former husband's country. The story starts with the sentence "Ash fell from the wind" which was a volcanic eruption. The author described what people saw and felt during those days.

Olivia Clare combined it with the mood of the main characters and their attitude toward each other. They belong to one family but they are completely different.

The author created a great picture of the atmosphere in the countryside in Iceland, it shows how people adapted to severe nature.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://ecotonemagazine.org/fiction/p...

[Brooke Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic collection. I have to say Clare’s characterization is brilliant, most notably with characters like Laura in “Petur, “Adam” in “The Visigoths”... ok, I could go on (Willa in “Eye of Water”) Her characters are just so wonderfully weird and interesting. Clare takes so many risks with this collection and her range (of both topic and style) make me a little jealous. Highly HIGHLY recommend this book.

[Olivia Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, indeed! Five stars.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories all written by Olivia Clare. I've never read anything by Ms. Clare and she has a unique and strange sense of humor and a bizarre look at reality. The stories are an eclectic group with no singular theme tying them together.

[Stephen Sowle]

Short stories. Very positive review by Rebecca on All the Books podcast.