All the Names They Used for God

by Anjali Sachdeva
All the Names They Used for God cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Short Story Collections
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Paperback • £14.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1306
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-11-11
  • ISBN: 9780525508670
  • Publisher: Dial Press
  • Published: 2018-02-20
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

All the Names They Used for God is a remarkable debut collection of short stories that defy genre boundaries, weaving together elements of science fiction, American Gothic, magical realism, and horror. Each story is a standalone masterpiece, featuring characters who grapple with destiny in a world that is both familiar and otherworldly. From genetically modified septuplets to a man enchanted by a mermaid, these tales are united by their exploration of the human condition and the delicate balance between salvation and destruction. The collection has been widely praised for its originality and depth, with each story offering a unique and unforgettable experience.

Reviews
Diving Into My Pensieve · 2020-02-05
moving 4.50

The book is raw and heartfelt, blending magical realism with very real and emotional stories. It is a powerful and moving collection.

The reviewer described the book as raw and heartfelt, blending magical realism with very real and emotional stories. They found the collection to be powerful and moving, with a strong emotional impact. The reviewer appreciated the way the author woven magical elements into real-life situations, making the stories both fantastical and deeply personal. They also noted that the collection is thought-provoking and leaves a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    It is raw, heartfelt, very much real even after all the magically realism woven into it.

    It is a story of 2 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram to the other side of the world.

    The stories are powerful and moving, with a strong emotional impact.

Talon News · 2019-02-12
intriguing 4.20

All the stories in the collection are excellent, with a particular highlight on the science fiction-related ones. The collection is intriguing and thought-provoking.

The reviewer found all the stories in the collection to be excellent, with a particular highlight on the science fiction-related ones. They were intrigued by the variety and depth of the stories, which they found thought-provoking and engaging. The reviewer appreciated the author's ability to blend different genres and themes, making the collection a compelling read. They also noted that the stories are well-crafted and leave a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    All of the 10 stories in the collection are excellent.

    I found myself most intrigued by the science fiction-related stories, especially “Manus” and “Pleiades.”

    The collection is intriguing and thought-provoking.

Magpie by Jen Shoop · 2018-06-04
thought-provoking 4.00

The collection is beautifully crafted and thought-provoking, though slightly depressing. It offers a unique departure from typical reads.

This reviewer found Sachdeva's collection to be beautifully crafted and eccentric, offering a thought-provoking departure from more conventional books. They note that the stories are slightly depressing but also deeply engaging, with a unique blend of magical realism and philosophical depth. The reviewer appreciates the variety and surprises found on virtually every page, making the collection a standout read. They also mention that the stories tackle a host of philosophical questions, adding to their richness and complexity.

Quick quotes

    All in, a beautifully crafted, eccentric, thought-provoking (if slightly depressing) departure from a lot of the books I've read recently.

    The book has surprises on virtually every page and touches on a host of philosophical and existential questions.

    Sachdeva's stories almost seem to revel in their diversity.

Los Angeles Review of Books · 2018-03-17
thought-provoking 4.00

The stories are delicate yet impactful, tackling profound themes with a sense of totality. The literary world Sachdeva creates is both intricate and haunting.

This reviewer found Sachdeva's stories to be both delicate and powerful, capable of handling heavy themes with a sense of completeness. The collection is described as intricate and haunting, with a literary world that feels both expansive and deeply personal. They appreciate the way Sachdeva weaves together different elements to create a cohesive and thought-provoking experience. The reviewer also notes that the stories are not just about their individual plots but about the broader themes they explore, making the collection a rich and rewarding read.

Quick quotes

    Sachdeva's stories are as delicate as Del's crumbling body, but they somehow tackle the reader with their totality.

    Her literary world is one that feels both expansive and deeply personal.

    The stories in this collection are not just about their individual plots but about the broader themes they explore.

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