The past year has brought us a rich tapestry of fiction, woven with creativity, insight, and a profound understanding of the human experience.
In this era of storytelling, where every turn of phrase holds the potential to transport us to uncharted realms, the task of narrowing down the best becomes both exciting and challenging.
Join us on a literary journey as we unveil the six masterpieces that stood out amidst the vast array of fiction published in 2023.
From enchanting debuts to the latest works of established authors, these books have left an indelible mark on readers’ hearts and minds.
Get ready to explore worlds beyond the ordinary, delve into the depths of complex characters, and lose yourself in the artistry of language, as we celebrate the best fiction of the past year.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the pages of these literary gems and discover the magic that made them shine in 2023.
FAT TIME AND OTHER STORIES BY JEFFERY RENARD ALLEN
This compelling anthology of wildly inventive and vividly realized narratives challenges and electrifies conventional perceptions of the “Black Experience.”
Allen, a versatile wordsmith who seamlessly traverses the realms of poetry and fiction, infuses his prose with vibrant imagery and crystalline lyricism.
In his latest collection of stories, he exhibits a heightened mastery of plot and characterization, fortifying his already agile imagination.
Across just a few pages, Allen breathes life into ethereal entities like the ghosts of deceased children in “Four Girls,” endowing them with vibrant, combustible, and poignant personalities.
Similarly, he convincingly reimagines historical figures, as seen in “Heads,” where rock legend Jimi Hendrix and British painter Francis Bacon converge in the disquieting junction of the 1960s and ’70s, each reaching for transcendence through distortions of time and space.
The narrative voyage continues with “Orbits,” where Allen envisions the twilight of Muhammad Ali’s boxing career on an Earth aided by lunar émigrés in preparation for the 1980 bout against Larry Holmes.
The collection also delves into the experiences of other prominent Black figures, including Jack Johnson tearing through Australia in “Fat Time” and Miles Davis, brooding in his Manhattan apartment in “Pinocchio.”
Allen’s storytelling prowess extends beyond fame, exploring the intimate connections between at-risk teen boys in “Big Ugly Baby” and the complex relationships unfolding at an Illinois religious retreat, where a villa transported from Italy and meticulously reconstructed by Abraham Lincoln sets the stage in “Fornication Camp.”
While the diverse subject matter and inventive storylines captivate readers, it is Allen’s intricately poetic language that sustains their engagement.
His descriptions, such as Hendrix skillfully “worrying chords into the black shape of time” and anchoring weight on a string to “sink a barbed note into the muddy depths below,” resonate throughout the collection.
The entirety of Allen’s work pulsates with a stunning craftsmanship, creating a potentially transformative exhibition of visionary storytelling.
THE MUSEUM OF HUMAN HISTORY BY REBEKAH BERGMAN
In this debut novel, an entire city experiences unforeseen consequences when a groundbreaking treatment that halts aging and dulls pain takes center stage. Maeve Wilhelm, who has been in a mysterious sleep for 25 years since an incident at a community pool, becomes a focal point.
Unlike a coma, Maeve’s slumber doesn’t show visible signs of aging, prompting questions about the strange circumstances surrounding her family’s tragedies. Maeve’s mother, Naomi, a biotech researcher, also met an untimely end, linked to a red rock associated with a secretive algae study.
The algae, ingested by Maeve at a closed beach, intertwines with Naomi’s work on an anti-aging procedure.
The narrative unfolds like concentric circles, exploring various characters affected by the anti-aging treatment.
A young widower, a performance artist, a museum director, and Maeve’s identical twin all find themselves entangled in the repercussions.
As the story progresses, unexpected connections emerge, and recurring images and language deepen the exploration of themes like memory, death, and the blurred boundary between past and future.
The novel’s structure blends elements of fairy tales, philosophy, and echoes of literary-futuristic classics such as “Never Let Me Go.”
With a touch of melancholic imagination, Bergman skillfully navigates the extensive sweep of human history, creating a narrative that elegantly addresses profound themes.
ANA MARÍA AND THE FOX BY LIANA DE LA ROSA
In 1863, amidst the turmoil of Napoleon III’s invasion of Mexico, the Luna sisters, daughters of a prominent political family, flee to England for safety.
Tasked by their uncle to be visible and charming, they become “goodwill ambassadors” at various social events, hoping to sway the neutral Queen’s government to support Mexico against the French.
The eldest sister, Ana María, encounters an intriguing Member of Parliament, Mr. Gideon Fox, whose mission is to abolish remaining loopholes enabling British subjects to profit from the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Drawn to each other despite societal constraints, Ana María and Gideon attempt to maintain a professional distance, especially as Ana María is promised to one of her father’s political allies.
However, as circumstances force them into a seemingly convenient marriage, their well-planned futures hang in the balance.
De la Rosa introduces a captivating series, exploring the historical immigration of Mexicans to England in the mid-19th century.
Centering on Ana María and Gideon, the narrative provides unique perspectives on Victorian London society, highlighting their maturity in navigating complex emotions.
While external events drive the conflict, the undeniable chemistry between the protagonists adds depth to the story.
The sisterly bond among the Luna women evolves from discord to closeness, promising further intriguing installments focused on Isabel and Gabriela.
This series offers an engaging commencement to a fresh and vibrant direction in historical romance.
RIPE BY SARAH ROSE ETTER
Cassie mirrors the typical women found in Silicon Valley—dedicated to her work, living a solitary life, and maintaining few meaningful relationships. Yet, she stands apart, a unique figure, as an actual black hole looms over her, fluctuating in size and radiance, mirroring her fluctuating anxieties and moods.
Etter crafts a surreal landscape teetering towards desolation, as the first-person narrative traces Cassie’s struggle to keep pace with her startup’s unforgiving rhythm.
Regular burnouts force her to resort to cocaine, and her precious non-work hours are either spent with disinterested friends or in pursuit of a man who, due to an existing girlfriend, refrains from committing to Cassie beyond their intensely passionate dates.
Set against the backdrop of the nascent Covid pandemic, the narrative vividly captures Cassie’s apprehensions about job instability, escalating rent, and a potential unplanned pregnancy. In a departure from her earlier Shirley Jackson Award-winning novel, “The Book of X” (2019), Etter weaves a rich tapestry of decay around a woman burdened with an impossible affliction.
As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that the dead-end labor within a toxic workplace inflicts a cruelty upon Cassie even greater than the spatial collapse of the black hole trailing her.
Drawing comparisons to the harsh relationships depicted in Mona Awad’s “Bunny,” the challenging work conditions in Raven Leilani’s “Luster,” and the unethical practices in Anna Wiener’s “Uncanny Valley,” this novel exposes seemingly mundane horrors.
Etter’s prose is concise, employing short narrative sections interspersed with word-and-definition segments, where Cassie recounts memories through ideas or objects, along with lists and notes.
Although the plot unfolds gradually, Etter’s calculated silences and pauses, coupled with the violence and intensity of her style, create a lingering horror that persists long after the tale concludes. As Cassie aptly puts it, “The truth of the world bares itself when the tide goes down: devoured, used, rotting.”
In summary, a provocative, tense, and gripping novel.
GAMES AND RITUALS BY KATHERINE HEINY
In this compilation of eleven stories, explore the realms of love, relationships, and occasionally regrettable behavior.
After penning two novels centered around lovably quirky young women—Standard Deviation (2017) and Early Morning Riser (2021)—Heiny returns to the short story format that initially showcased her talent in Single, Carefree, Mellow (2015). Embracing her disarmingly charming characters with tenderness, empathy, and humor, Heiny skillfully navigates their journeys, even when they venture beyond the boundaries of socially acceptable conduct.
Light-hearted and amusing, yet profoundly resonant, these stories provide sly insights into human connection.
In just a single sentence, Heiny can captivate and leave you breathless. In “Chicken-Flavored and Lemon-Scented,” which delves into the intricacies of office culture, driving examiner Colette finds herself drawn to a handsome co-worker.
“Damascus” unfolds the narrative of Mia and her teenage son, Gordey, whose “kind and gentle nature” masks suspicions of drug use, exploring the complex landscape of motherhood and maturity.
“Twist and Shout” kicks off with Ericka’s elderly father mistaking his “four-thousand-dollar hearing aid for a cashew” and consuming it, leading to a breathtaking twist.
“CobRa” observes the reaction of William, a middle-aged stockbroker, to his wife Rachel, as she, on the verge of an empty nest, zealously declutters their family home in the style of tidiness guru Marie Kondo, in pursuit of life-changing magic.
Heiny humorously notes, “This was not the beginning of William’s realizing he no longer sparked joy but a continuation.”
For those who have succumbed to Kondo’s organizational charm and spent weeks decluttering and folding T-shirts into neat little packets, “CobRa” resonates with immediate recognition.
Whether you’re a devoted Heiny fan or just discovering her mischievous and generous-spirited fiction, this collection promises to bring considerable joy and is undoubtedly a keeper.
With this irresistibly amusing and big-hearted assortment, Heiny once again showcases her mastery of the short story form.
JANA GOES WILD BY FARAH HERON
Consider a destination wedding as the key to rekindling the connection between a woman and her ex.
For years, Jana Suleiman adhered to the rules, earning a reputation as a good girl.
However, her life took a different turn five years ago during a passionate but fleeting romance with Anil Malek, resulting in a broken heart and her journey as a single mother.
Presently, both residing in Toronto, they successfully co-parent their daughter, Imani.
Despite Anil’s excellent fatherhood, Jana maintains emotional distance, guarding herself from the man who once shattered her heart.
The plot unfolds as Jana, accompanied by her extended family, embarks on a trip to Tanzania for a destination wedding in the Serengeti National Park, only to be dismayed by the revelation that Anil is part of the wedding party.
The anticipated two-week vacation turns into a challenge for Jana, with Anil’s presence subjecting her private life to scrutiny from colleagues, friends, and family on the trip. Jana, a resilient and compassionate character, strives to navigate the complexities of her emotions and relationships.
Collaborating with other bridesmaids, she creates a “letting loose” list to break free from her routine, yet the specter of Anil persists.
The couple faces intricate challenges; Jana grapples with societal judgment as a single mother, while Anil seeks redemption for past mistakes and aims to support Jana and Imani.
Heron’s novel delves into the “second chance” romance trope, portraying Jana and Anil unraveling layers of misunderstanding on their path to rebuilding trust. It is a captivating and beautiful romance that celebrates the themes of second chances and forgiveness.
Vincent Salera
Founder @ World's Best Story™ amplifier of creativity & fun!
