Few would argue that 2020 was a tumultuous year: it’s a topic that has inspired countless articles, think pieces, and novels—nearly all written by adults, for adults. Lost in all of this coverage, however, are the young adults—many of whom endured a seismic upheaval of their own. WHAT IT COST US: Stories of Pandemic & Protest in D.C. is a collection of short stories from a diverse group of young writers from the Washington, D.C. area that offers a unique perspective on this chaotic time.
Admittedly, WHAT IT COST US is far from the first compilation of short stories spotlighting up-and-coming authors. That said, it is easily one of the best that this writer has encountered. The concept alone warrants attention, but it takes excellent writing to distill universally experienced subject matter into insular, hard-hitting works of fiction. And that’s precisely what these ten authors have accomplished.
First and foremost, WHAT IT COST US is surprisingly cohesive, especially considering the collaborative template. Arranged chronologically and partitioned into four sections (corresponding with the seasons), these ten stories cover all the emotional beats of 2020. Yes, 2020 ushered in remote work and lockdown-inspired isolation, but WHAT IT COST US goes so much deeper than the ZOOM learning curve (though the “remote” thing is certainly there). The characters in these stories primarily come from underrepresented areas and experience a genuine but sorely undervalued collective and isolated trauma. Of course, some stories may resonate more than others, but there is no redundancy here; they are all important.
Some of the challenges these characters face are pulled straight from the headlines (racism in the wake of the George Floyd murder, confusion and frustration surrounding January 6th), while others are less obvious. Social and cultural isolation, grief over a close friend’s death, and even hunger are among the very real challenges facing this diverse cast of characters. But it’s not all doom and gloom; there is also no shortage of inspiration. Not that every story has a happy ending, but the key takeaway here is resilience in the face of adversity. There are also some heartwarming displays of humanity by way of lifelong friends, family, and even a kind-hearted teacher.
For their part, each of these ten authors is writing at an incredibly high level. For instance, within the context of Darne’Sha Walker’s “Dear Al,” excerpts like “I put on some music and sink back into my bed, waiting for inspiration. Or courage. Or anything” will strike a chord with everyone who experienced the pandemic. Sure, there’s a “by-young-adults-for-young-adults” component at play here, but older readers (and parents in particular) would benefit from this collection. Even if you think you’ve already lived through the pandemic, WHAT IT COST US is likely to provide a different point of view.
Like all great short story collections, WHAT IT COST US: Stories of Pandemic & Protest in D.C. is more than the sum of its parts. Come for the authentic, thought-provoking perspectives; stay for the fresh, genre-bending writing.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader