In This Ravishing World - Nina Schuyler - ★★★.½

AUTHOR: Nina Schuyler

GENRE: Officially, Short Story Collection. Practically, Literary Composite Novel.

PUBLICATION DATE: July 2, 2024

RATING: 3.5 stars.

In a Nutshell: Officially, a short story collection with interlinked stories, but I think this works better as a composite novel. Good for those who like character-oriented narratives and literary fiction.

The blurb describes this book as “a sweeping, impassioned short story collection, ringing out with joy, despair, and hope for the natural world. Nine connected stories unfold, bringing together an unforgettable cast of dreamers, escapists, activists, and artists, creating a kaleidoscopic view of the climate crisis.”

All the above are valid points, and almost all are true of this book. Where the description doesn’t match my experience is in the idea of this being a “short story collection.”

Everyone who reads story collections/anthologies knows the structure/pattern of a short story. It is quite distinct from that of a novel, regardless of length or theme or genre. However, the “stories” in this book had more of a novel (or perhaps, novella) kind of vibe. This isn’t because the length of each “story” is on the upper range of short fiction. Rather, the “stories” are connected to each other, thus making this book almost like a composite novel than like a short story collection.

The interconnection across the individual sections is not just in terms of common characters but also through the linear sequence, with each story building over the events of the earlier one, while still providing a backstory for its key character. The chapters, if I may refer to them as such, come from different (sometimes, repeated) character perspectives. So the effect is more like reading a regular multi-perspective novel.

The book functions well as a composite novel. Each “story”/chapter focusses on one character, with the prominent one being Eleanor, who has just won a reputed award for her work as an environmental economist. The first chapter explores her thoughts over her work of five decades, and whether she should accept the award or not. The next chapter focusses on her daughter Ava, and moves to her backstory, while still referring to Eleanor’s award in passing. In this way, each chapter shifts the narrative baton to a different character, sometimes returning to an earlier cast member. With all their “stories” put together, we get to see the grand picture at the end.

The writing is quite lyrical. My favourite parts were the interludes by ‘Mother Nature’ at the start of the book and then at the end of every story. The writing in these sections is picturesque and heartfelt. The climate aspect is dominant in many of the chapters, but at times, the stories are more focussed on the emotions of its characters than on environmental consciousness. The frustration of those working for climate change comes out quite strongly, especially in Eleanor’s chapters.

I am certain I would have enjoyed this even better had I gone into it expecting a literary novel. I always have a collection/anthology on the go, and I read a story or two each day, depending on how lengthy each story is. So to see this “short story collection” function more as a pseudo novel affected my schedule as well as reading experience as my expectations were quite different.

Regardless, the book has its merits, and its strong literary feel ensures that its characters as well as themes are well-written, introspective, and impactful.

Definitely recommended, not to short fiction readers but to literary fiction enthusiasts who would love a novel that focusses on humans as much as nature.

3.5 stars, rounding up wherever applicable because my lower rating is mainly due to erroneous expectations.

My thanks to Regal House Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “In This Ravishing World”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.