184 pages. Published April 17, 2023 by Gatekeeper Press. Fiction anthology.
TL;DR I liked these stories, some more than others.
This is a collection of twelve stories, many feminist-leaning, some queer. Infinitesimal, the title story, is about a young girl in a mountain village where one child is chosen every year to go to the city for further education. The protagonist has to choose between her personal happiness and academic success. To Each of Covered Imperfections reminds me of the world of Divergent and similar: a dystopian society where young people are tested for perfection, in this case young women in a Stepford Wives-like, twisted version of feminism. Stepford Wives is also the theme of the queer love story, Collision Theory. Biscuits and Rain is about a woman coming to terms with a failed relationship. Sacrifice invokes Jack the Ripper (a chilling, horrible read). The Heaven Express, my favourite story, is about a train everyone rides when they get to age 65; you kind of see what’s coming, but the way it’s achieved is stunning. And Day’s Dozen recalls the futility of cubicle life.
Short story collections are a way for an author to show off their range, and this one does, with stories that lean SF, historical fiction, mystery, romance, and more. Hanjing Wang has a strong voice, and this is a good collection, a great way to pass the time. I will be looking forward to reading more from her.
Many thanks to Gatekeeper Press and NetGalley.
Harare Review of Books 
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