Wednesday’S Child Paperback – 25 September 2023

Yiyun Li's latest offering, "Wednesday's Child," is a mesmerizing collection of short stories that spans a decade, delving into the intricacies of loss, alienation, ageing, and the peculiarities of contemporary life. Known for her prize-winning novel, "The Book of Goose," Li returns to her roots as a master storyteller, weaving tales that are tender yet unsentimental, metaphysical yet blunt, and brimming with both wisdom and unnerving beauty.The stories within "Wednesday's Child" are a testament to Li's unparalleled ability to capture the complexities of human existence. From a grieving mother meticulously documenting her losses in a spreadsheet to a professor navigating a complicated intimacy with her hairdresser, Li's characters grapple with the ordinary until it becomes unsustainable. The narratives crack open, revealing profound and mysterious forces at play – death, violence, and estrangement. Even in the seemingly mundane, Li imbues everyday life with meaning, highlighting indelible details like a stolen jar of honey, a mound of wounded ants, or a long-hidden photograph that must finally see the light of day.Li's writing is a delicate alchemy of opposites, seamlessly blending the tender with the unsentimental, the metaphysical with the blunt, and the funny with the horrifying. Her omniscient narrative voice navigates the depths of human experience while acknowledging the vast expanse of the unknown. The author's ability to explore the true cost of living is evident throughout the collection, and each story resonates with her trademark combination of unnerving beauty and searing wisdom.The inclusion of a remarkable novella, previously unpublished in the UK, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the collection. As readers traverse the landscapes of Li's stories, they are treated to a kaleidoscope of emotions and reflections on the human condition. The profound impact of each tale lingers, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's psyche.In "Wednesday's Child," Yiyun Li proves once again why she is a literary force to be reckoned with. Her ability to capture the essence of life's complexity, coupled with her unmatched storytelling prowess, makes this collection a must-read for those who appreciate the nuance and depth of short fiction. As Li articulates the true cost of living through her characters, readers are invited to contemplate the beauty and challenges inherent in the human experience, making "Wednesday's Child" a poignant and unforgettable literary journey.

"Wednesday's Child" written by Yiyun Li is a compilation of unique stories with a well crafted storyline that hold a different perspective of the real world.The book consists of 10 elaborately described stories that show the harshness of the real world.The first story of the book has the title as Wednesday's Child where Rosalie, a mother is mentally depressed because of the death of her fifteen year old daughter, Marcie and while travelling in a train she remembers how she longed for her dead daughter and how everyone blamed her for not being a good parent by not checking on her if she was going throug adolescent depression or not.The second story is about Aunty Mei, who is a babysitter who gets paid to take care of newborn baby and mother for only the first month of the baby. She doesn't agree to anybody who tries to convince her to stay with the newborn baby more than a month.Every story, every chapter had a deep expression and it was described in such a cold way that I could feel the pain, the sadness of the harsh reality but still as if we can do nothing to put an end to this sad reality.This was my very first book of Yiyun Li, and to be honest, every story from this book touched my heart.

This collection is not just a compilation of stories but a cohesive exploration of the emotional and material costs of living. Li skillfully balances sadness with humour, reflecting the complexities of life itself. The characters in these stories are authentic, often quirky, yet always relatable, making the reader feel deeply connected to their experiences.While the stories in “Wednesday’s Child” touch on themes of grief, loss, guilt, and alienation, they also offer moments of humour, reminding us that life’s spectrum includes both joy and sorrow. Yiyun Li’s controlled and beautifully rendered prose captivates readers, and the collection as a whole is a testament to her skill as a writer. In conclusion, “Wednesday’s Child” is a remarkable collection that delves into the human experience with depth and sensitivity. Yiyun Li’s storytelling is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, and her ability to convey life’s and loss’s complexities is exceptional. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate the beauty of well-crafted stories that explore the intricacies of human emotions and connections.