Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

by ZZ Packer
Drinking Coffee Elsewhere cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Short Story Collections
Technical
  • ID: 3756
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781786896940
  • Publisher: Canongate Books
  • Published: 2018-11-01
  • Reviews: 3

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere is a captivating collection of short stories that delve into the lives of diverse characters navigating their unique challenges. From a black, motherless loner adjusting to life at Yale to a 14-year-old church girl running away to the big city, each story is teeming with life and resonates with raw emotion and humor. The narratives are never neatly resolved, offering a realistic and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human. /n/n The collection introduces readers to a major new talent, with stories that range from a young man's attempt to understand his father on the Million Man March to a troop of Brownies teaching a lesson in racial sensitivity. Each tale is crafted with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the human condition, making this book a must-read for those who appreciate literary fiction.

Reviews
Sloopie72's Blog · 2022-04-01
authentic 3.75

The stories capture the discomfort and struggles of black women, with some finding ways to change their situations while others do not.

The reviewer noted that the collection focuses on black women who feel uncomfortable in their environments. They appreciated how the stories explore the various ways these characters deal with their discomfort, with some finding solutions and others remaining stuck. The reviewer found the portrayal of these struggles to be authentic and compelling, highlighting the diversity of experiences within the black community.

Quick quotes

    A black woman who writes stories about black women (mostly) who are uncomfortable where they are.

    Some manage to find ways to change that; others don't.

    The stories capture the essence of feeling out of place and the struggle to find one's identity.

Imperfect Happiness · 2012-05-21
delightful 4.25

The writing is enjoyable, with vivid details that immerse the reader in the stories, particularly the first one.

The reviewer enjoyed Packer's writing style, especially the sensory details that bring the stories to life. They particularly loved the first story in the collection, finding it to be a standout. The reviewer appreciated how these details created a vivid and immersive experience, making the stories more engaging and memorable. Overall, they found the collection to be a delightful read with a strong start.

Quick quotes

    I enjoy Packer's writing, especially the details of heat and scent that put me firmly in her world.

    I loved the first story in the book, the one about Cynthia.

    The writing is crisp and sharp, with a firm chokehold on each of her pitiable characters.

The Guardian · 2004-03-05
engaging 4.00

The collection is as sturdy and satisfying as a short novel, with compelling characters and a balance of pathos and humor. It offers a unique perspective on the experiences of its characters.

The reviewer found the collection to be highly engaging, comparing it to a short novel in its depth and satisfaction. They appreciated the authentic portrayal of characters and the skillful balance between emotional depth and humor. The stories offer a poignant look into the lives of the characters, making it a memorable read. The reviewer also highlighted the collection's ability to explore complex themes with a fine balance, making it both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Quick quotes

    As sturdy and satisfying in tone as a short novel, "Drinking Coffee Elsewhere" tells of Yale freshman Cynthia, whose casual remarks about guns ...

    It achieves a fine balance between pathos and hilarity, between its exploration of family ...

    The image of 'drinking coffee elsewhere' suggests a fantasy of total purity, a hope for solitude and integrity untouched by the dilution of ...

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