I am torn about this book. On the one hand, I love Billy-Ray's writing and themes. On the other, I feel that many of these stories and themes are much more accomplished and polished within his debut novel 'A minor chorus'.

Having read that before, these stories did not feel fresh to me. (and by the fifth story, I was bored with the gay artist protagonist).

No matter what, Billy-Ray has easily become one of my favorite contemporary writers, mixing fiction and social themes and theory within his stories.
I would recommend to read this first. Then go back to the author's poetry and finish with his debut novel, to get a much richer experience of him developing his unique voice.
3.5*

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

Review posted on Chinook Indian Nation blog at https://chinooknation.org/review-of-coexistence/. Four stars.

The characters in Belcourt's Coexistence can't seem to escape a sense of being in a limbo. While many of the characters are young and feeling stifled and stunted by institutional manifestations of this limbo, like being in grad school, their plights reveal an inescapable admission of the work oneself must confront about themselves: how to be at peace often feeling othered in a predominately white world, how to justify the feelings of inadequacy by hoping to make the right choices, stay on the right path, and treat people with a careful delicacy they themselves crave. Coexistence is a welcomed addition to Belcourt's oeuvre that proves him to be a compassionate and revealing storyteller toward his characters, without pitying or condescending them to oblivion. Their stories, while tinged with melancholy, ache with a demand to be in the spotlight.

The edges of these stories are beautifully blurry. This isn’t simply a collection, it’s a tessellation. Intimacy, vulnerability, tenderness. History, heartbreak, hauntings. The dedicated interiority of Belcourt’s voice creates a vibrancy and expansiveness that resembles the prairie. Specifically, the prairie in Alberta, Canada, which is the ancestral home of the Cree people. This is the landscape that thrums in the background. This is the place in which the characters’ yearnings feel as mournful and refreshingly honest as a face full of rain. Read this. I guarantee it’ll make you feel. It may even make you feel too much.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy. This is my honest review.

This is the second book I’ve read by Billy-Ray Belcourt, and I loved it just as much as the first.

I appreciated the ways these stories weave together, painting a picture of sexuality, history, death, remembrance, survival, love, art, and meaning making, all through the experience of living in the shadow of colonialism.

I highlighted so many lines in this book. It’s such a poetic exploration, full of insights that are going to sit with me for a long time.

Coexistence, by Billy-Ray Belcourt, is a short story collection featuring vignettes from the perspectives of queer native men. Belcourt's stories focus on how these men, and the native community at large, defend their heritage and re-create space for themselves in a colonized world. Each of Belcourt's characters struggles somewhat with their identity and how it fits into both a past and present that the world conveniently forgets.

A common theme across Belcourt's stories is academia. Several of his characters are pursuing studies, completing research, or teaching in institutions of higher education. While I eventually tired of hearing about academia as someone who finds the topic generally inaccessible, I appreciated the intentional choice to include it as a backdrop, as spaces of higher education are never lacking in collective amnesia and institutional racism. Belcourt is also a phenomenal writer and I felt his stories were poetic. If I had a physical copy of this book, I would have highlighted everything. Now, excuse me while I read everything I can by him.

EASY EASY EASY EASY FIVE STARS. I shed so many tears while reading this one. AGH, Billy-Ray Belcourt is a friggin Indigenous wizard. I am so thankful to W.W. Norton, our lovely author, and Netgalley for granting me advanced physical and digital access before this baby hits shelves on May 21, 2024.

Co-Existence is a collection of interconnected stories that focus on family life, queer origins, and interspersed themes of colonialism and the effect of its chokehold on indigenous groups and communities. Within each story, a struggle is felt and overcome through the power of literature and the arts. There are so many beautiful narratives projected within the confines of this book, and I am very excited to dive into more of Belcourt's work following this reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Coexistence" by Billy-Ray Belcourt is a mesmerizing collection of interconnected stories that delve into the lives of Indigenous characters navigating the aftermath of colonial capitalism. With raw and vulnerable prose, Belcourt explores themes of identity, memory, and resistance, challenging the ways colonialism seeks to define Indigenous people and their relationships.

Throughout the collection, Belcourt deftly examines the intersections of masculinity, queerness, and indigeneity, offering poignant representations of sapphic, bisexual, and achillean experiences. The stories are haunted by the specter of intergenerational trauma caused by genocide, yet they also celebrate the joys and pleasures that colonialism continues to attempt to erase.

One of the collection's strengths lies in its exploration of Indigenous kinship structures and intimate relationships, highlighting the resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of erasure. Belcourt's characters grapple with the complexities of identity and belonging, seeking to forge a legacy that transcends the wounds inflicted by colonial capitalism.

"Coexistence" stands not just a collection of stories, but as a brave call for Indigenous liberation and decolonization. Belcourt skillfully navigates themes of Land Back, environmental justice, and Indigenous resistance, urging readers to rethink their relationship to the land and to each other.

As a reader who appreciates lyrical prose and thought-provoking narratives, I found "Coexistence" to be a deeply moving and impactful read. Belcourt's exploration of time, memory, and place resonated with me on a profound level, reminding me of the importance of acknowledging and confronting the legacies of colonialism. My favorite stories of the collection were Lived Experience, Outside, and Summer Research.

In conclusion, "Coexistence" is a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities in the face of oppression. Belcourt's storytelling is both captivating and illuminating, offering readers a glimpse into a world shaped by both trauma and triumph. This collection makes a perfect read for anyone interested in exploring themes of Indigenous identity, resistance, and community care.

📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Indigenous Liberation, Lovers of Poetic Prose and Queer Lit, Fans of Kaveh Akbar and Ocean Vuong.

🔑 Key Themes: Indigenous Resilience, Queer Indigeneity, Colonial Trauma, Kinship and Community, Resistance Against Colonialism, Decolonization of Identity and Art.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Sexual content (severe), death of a parent (minor), racism (minor), physical abuse (minor), residential schools (minor), depression (minor), suicidal thoughts (minor), pandemic (minor), incarceration (minor), drug use (minor).

There's a line in one of the stories in this book that says, "Most books I read stay with me, linger in my mind, changing the architecture of my thoughts." That's a fitting description of Coexistence. These eloquently written stories have staying power. Highly enjoyed this read.

I love billy-ray belcourt 4ever so I was incredibly stoked for this new collection of interwoven short stories. unfortunately, it did fall a little flat for me. a lot of the stories didn't really go anywhere and all felt more or less the same? I also got especially confused with the digital arc as there was no distinction between stories/chapters and they all just rolled into each other - not sure if the book is actually intended to be read that way but it was confusing and a little frustrating to not realize when one story was ending and the other beginning.

that said!!! I could probably read belcourt write about anything and still be glad I did. his prose is unlike anything else, and I love the way he explores his identity & indigenous background. always compelling, brutal and beautiful in a way so completely his own.

thank you netgalley and ww norton for the arc!

A somewhat good collection of short stories on the indigeneous and the experience within sexuality. I enjoyed it but it felt a little fast and confusing, disjointed and not really correlated. 3 stars.

Book Review: “Coexistence:Stories”
In a literary landscape where LGBTQI+ and BIPOC voices have long been marginalized, “Coexistence,” by Billy-Ray Belcourt, emerges as a refreshing addition, offering a compelling narrative that not only represents these communities but also delves into their nuanced experiences.

What works:
The author adeptly captures the essence of the LGBTQI+ experience, particularly the struggles of a gay man navigating intimacy and self-acceptance amidst societal pressures. Moreover, the exploration of BIPOC themes, including the enduring effects of racism and colonialism, adds a layer of depth and enlightenment for readers, regardless of their background.
The prose is masterfully crafted, with intricate character development that draws readers into the lives of the protagonists. Unlike many works in the LGBTQ genre, this book steers clear of stereotypes and gratuitous content, offering a serious and thought-provoking narrative.

What doesn't work:
While the book is structured as a series of interconnected short stories, the transitions between narratives can be jarring, leaving readers disoriented at times. Additionally, not all stories resonate equally, with some feeling overly technical or repetitive, particularly one that delves into poetry on a deep level.
The lack of resolution in each story may leave readers feeling unsatisfied, as narratives end abruptly without closure. Furthermore, the book's focus on intersectional issues may limit its appeal to a wider audience, particularly those outside the LGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities or those less inclined towards literary exploration.
Overall, "Coexistence" offers a compelling and necessary perspective on the experiences of LGBTQI+ and BIPOC individuals, albeit with some shortcomings in execution and accessibility. While it may not be universally appreciated, it undoubtedly serves as an important contribution to literature representing underrepresented voices.

Themes and trigger warnings: LGBTQ, BIPOC, struggles with sexuality, and acceptance, racism, guilt, colonization, systemic marginalization, graphic sexual situations, sexual violence.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am giving this book 3.5 out of five stars.

I personally did not enjoy this title. It felt disjointed. A bunch of somewhat, but not really, connected short stories that were all unfinished. 3 stars

Belcourt has quickly become a favorite of mine. Coexistence is marketed as a short story collection but the characters are intertwined, so it really reads more like a novella that just follows multiple characters. all 3 of Belcourt’s works that I’ve read follow similar characters (he seems to self insert a lot lol), but the writing is so good that it prevents it from becoming too repetitive, and he writes interesting, fleshed out characters despite it being a short length.

a beautiful collection of short stories. belcourt really touches on the indigenous experience & every sentence evokes so much emotion. really amazing.