How to Breathe Underwater
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Average rating4.4
In her dazzling first book Julie Orringer dives into the private world of childhood and immerses us in its fears and longings: the jealous friendships and the bitter sibling battles; the parents that row and the boys that won't dance with you. Then, in a voice that is equally tender and compassionate, she reminds us of those rare, exhilarating moments of victory. sparkling fresh prose, a writer with a big heart and an acute sense of the small things that loom large in our lives' Monica Ali, Guardian
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i borrowed this from the library and encountered it at a book sale for cheap around the same time. passed on it at the sale because i had borrowed but not read it yet, which i immediately regretted once i finished the book. i think this was the book that really kickstarted my love for quiet, contemporary short story collections with female-driven narratives.
Many of the short stories in this collection reminded me of aspects of my childhood. The author has a great eye for detail; she takes ordinary people and situations and creates a thoughtful story. Some of the characters are rude, mean, unkind, even evil but all are realistic and human. I enjoyed reading it.
