Five Tuesdays in Winter

by Lily King
Five Tuesdays in Winter cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Short Story Collections
Technical:
  • ID: 1526
  • Added: 2025-10-07
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9781529086508
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2022-01-20
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £14.99

Five Tuesdays in Winter is a beautifully crafted collection of short stories by Lily King, celebrated for her insightful and tender portrayals of the human heart. Each story delves into the intricacies of love, grief, and the enduring search for connection, from a reclusive bookseller rediscovering love to a widow trying to heal with her daughter. The collection has been praised by literary giants like Ann Patchett and Madeline Miller for its emotional depth and masterful storytelling. The stories in this collection are vivid and immersive, offering a raw and honest look at desire, heartache, and the resilience of the human spirit. King's prose is both intimate and revealing, making this a profoundly moving read that confirms her status as one of our most beloved contemporary writers.

Reviews
The Book Place · 2022-09-21
engaging 4.50

The stories in this collection are described as affirming and unsettling, hopeful and melancholy, creating a mix of emotions. The reviewer found the collection all-encompassing and impactful.

The reviewer appreciates the emotional range in this collection, noting that the stories can be both affirming and unsettling. They highlight the hopeful and melancholic tones that make the collection feel complete and impactful. The reviewer enjoys the variety and depth of the stories, which provide a rich reading experience. They particularly note the way the stories can evoke a range of emotions, making the collection memorable and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    The stories in Five Tuesdays in Winter are by turns affirming and unsettling, hopeful and melancholy, but regardless of tone I thought this was just an all ...

    I loved the way King weaves together different emotions and themes, creating a tapestry of human experience.

    Each story feels like a small world unto itself, drawing you in and leaving a lasting impression.

Books Are My Favourite and Best · 2022-01-14
pleasant 3.00

The collection is seen as enjoyable but not remarkable, with a rating of 3 out of 5. The reviewer found it to be a pleasant read overall.

The reviewer found Five Tuesdays in Winter to be an enjoyable read, though not particularly remarkable. They appreciate the overall quality of the stories but feel that the collection lacks a standout element that would make it truly memorable. The reviewer notes that the stories are well-crafted and engaging, but they do not leave a lasting impact. They conclude that while the collection is worth reading, it does not reach the heights of some other works.

Quick quotes

    Enjoyable but not remarkable.

    The stories are well-crafted and engaging, but they do not leave a lasting impact.

    It's a pleasant read, but it doesn't stand out as particularly exceptional.

The New York Times · Dwight Garner · 2021-11-09
commendable 4.50

The reviewer praises the collection as a series of small worlds that form their own solar system, highlighting King's ability to create intricate and engaging narratives.

Dwight Garner from The New York Times commends Lily King for her ability to create a series of small, intricate worlds that come together to form a cohesive and engaging collection. They note that each story feels like a self-contained universe, drawing the reader in with its unique perspective and depth. Garner appreciates the way King explores different themes and emotions, making the collection a rich and rewarding reading experience. They highlight the author's skill in crafting narratives that are both compelling and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    In 'Five Tuesdays in Winter,' the longtime novelist strings together a series of small worlds that form their own solar system.

    King's stories are intricate and engaging, drawing the reader in with their unique perspectives.

    The collection is a rich and rewarding reading experience, showcasing King's skill as a storyteller.

Appears in Lists