The stories in this collection are at the intersection of personal revelation and the mundane details of daily life. Most consist of characters reflecting back on events that show the reader who they are. Some characters are more self-aware than others, but they are honest about their flaws. If anything is held back in the narrative, it's only because the narrator is altogether unwilling to admit it to themselves. Most readers will find some characters here that they can relate to; if you're a gay man or a New Yorker, the chances are even higher.

If you're looking for linear plots, suspense, and exciting events, you're not necessarily going to find those here. These characters, like all of us, have been shaped by chance meetings, coincidences, and quirks of their backgrounds; most of the dramatic, life-changing happenings are in the past.

My favorite story was "The World at Large," in which the narrator writes a letter to an old friend. Most of the letter recounts a discussion with a stranger at the mailbox, and how this discussion convinced him to overcome hesitation and inertia in his life.

While I wouldn't call this a funny book overall, you'll find that some of the narrators display wry humor. For example, here is a quote from another story, "The Simple Part:" "I'd dropped my phone in the process and broken it, so not only was I submerged in grief, but once I got my wits about me, I had to go deal with Verizon."

Ultimately, this collection helped me as a reader to feel more aware of how serendipitous life can be, and to appreciate (or at least notice) the small stuff.

3.25⭐️
A solid collection of stories.

Each story within this collection interplays the theme of longing for stability and finding one's part in the grander scheme.

Of course, within every collection, some stories are stronger or resonate more with the reader. During my reading, I felt that the introductory story, "If You Only Knew," was extremely strong and unique. The writing and a number of characters throughout the work are well-developed and have deeply intricate and unique backstories.

My only qualm with this work is that a few of the narratives seem to be cut abruptly short. For instance, in "Unlike Some People," it felt like the story quickly ended with no real resolution or indication of what the characters would do next. This unfortunate situation occurs throughout a few of the stories and puts a bit of a damper on the entirety of my reading experience.

Overall, I think the work is perfectly fine, but maybe read each short story with a little break in between for a palette cleanse.

Thank you to NetGalley and the University of Pittsburgh Press for an ARC of this book!

Winner of the Drue Heinz Literature Prize

11 stories.
11 lives.
11 regrets.

Each story in this quiet, moving collection gives us a glimpse into a life shaped by past choices. From a gay hustler on holiday, to a failed NYC actor, to a young woman reconnecting with her estranged brother—every character is haunted by something, and trying, in their own quiet way, to find peace.

There’s no big drama here—just deeply human moments. Regret. Longing. Small wins that feel like victories. These characters aren’t larger than life—they are life. And that’s what makes the collection so resonant. They could be any of us.

Thoughtful, subtle, and emotionally honest, A Place in the World reminds us that even in the ordinary, there’s beauty—and even in brokenness, there's connection.