An Astonishment of Stars by Kirti Bhadresa - ISBN: 9781770417373
Paperback
Unseen women navigate life, memory, and expectations in captivating stories.

An Astonishment of Stars

Stories

  • Paperback

    296 pages

  • Release Date

    1 October 2024

Summary

A beautifully written short story collection that charts the lives of racialized women as they navigate their relationships, aspirations, and the burdens of memory and expectations.

“Sharply observed and gracefully told, this is a collection shining with all the unexpected delights and defeats that make up a life.”

The wife who uses the name of her white husband in public. The mother who cleans the small-town hospital while her daughter moves to the city to forget their shared…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781770417373
ISBN-10:1770417370
Author:Kirti Bhadresa
Publisher:ECW Press,Canada
Imprint:ECW Press,Canada
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:296
Release Date:1 October 2024
Weight:363g
Dimensions:216mm x 140mm x 20mm
What They're Saying

Critics Review

“Perfect for readers of incisive stories, this collection gently unravels the everyday dilemmas in modern BIPOC families.” — Booklist“A nuanced and emotionally rich story collection, recommended for those who appreciate fiction that explores race, gender, and belonging. Recommended for fans of Ru Freeman’s Sleeping Alone.” — Library Journal, audiobook review“To be a contemporary racialized woman is to be noticed but also invisible, and Bhadresa deftly explores these paradoxical spaces. A gorgeously observed collection by a wonderfully gifted writer.” — Lindsay Wong, author of The Woo-Woo and Tell Me Pleasant Things about Immortality: Stories“Each of these stories is a small miracle, and I can’t wait to see where Bhadresa’s own star catapults from here.” — Amy Jones, author of Pebble & Dove and Every Little Piece of Me“In stories that can encompass a novel’s worth of time and events, Kirti Bhadresa melds style and sincerity with her focused craft. With vivid insight into labour, family and different forms of exile, Bhadresa finds light in the imperfect, real lives of her characters.” — Naben Ruthnum, author of Helpmeet“Sharply observed and gracefully told, Bhadresa offers a collection shining with all the unexpected delights and defeats that make up a life.” — Anuja Varghese, author of Chrysalis“From rebellious teens to a levitating aunty, An Astonishment of Stars brings us unforgettable characters in stories ranging from the everyday to the fantastical. A great talent and a great read.” — Naheed Nenshi, former mayor of Calgary“In all of her stories, Bhadresa addresses race brilliantly and incisively. A must read.” — Danila Botha, author of Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness“Overall, An Astonishment of Stars is a compelling collection of short stories which can be enjoyed by young adult audiences and beyond. Bhadresa’s book is a great read for ethnic minorities to realize they are not alone in their experiences and for everyone else to realize the complexities of racial and cultural identities in a country as diverse as Canada.” — The Gateway“Roveena Gnanabakthan’s narration magnifies the poignant and multifaceted stories of BIPOC women who are navigating the tensions of identity, community, and family … The narration underscores the themes of resilience and invisibility, drawing attention to lives often overlooked while illuminating the complex intersections of contemporary womanhood and community.” — AudioFile Magazine

About The Author

Kirti Bhadresa

Kirti Bhadresa’s fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The Fiddlehead, Prairie Fire, The Quarantine Review, The Sprawl, and Room, and she has been a finalist for the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association Award in the category of Feature Writing. Bhadresa lives with her family in Calgary, AB, on Treaty 7 territory.

Returns

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.