The Office of Historical Corrections

by Danielle Evans
The Office of Historical Corrections cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Short Story Collections
Technical
  • ID: 3832
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781529059465
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2020-11-12
  • Reviews: 3

Danielle Evans' 'The Office of Historical Corrections' is a collection of sharp, insightful stories that explore the complexities of race, culture, and history through the lens of personal relationships. Each story zooms in on specific moments in the lives of Black and multi-racial characters, revealing universal themes of lust, love, and grief while examining how history shapes our present. Evans' writing is praised for its blistering intelligence and ability to provoke thought about the truths of American history and who gets to tell them. The title novella, in particular, draws readers into a historical mystery that spans generations, putting the protagonist's job, love life, and friendships at risk. These stories are not just entertaining but also deeply thought-provoking, making them a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of personal and collective history.

Reviews
Harvard Review · 2021-06-25
insightful 4.75

Each story offers a nuanced exploration of race and racism in America, presenting a series of thought-provoking 'what-ifs'. The collection is praised for its depth and insight.

The reviewer highlights how each story in this collection contributes to a nuanced exploration of race and racism in America. They appreciate the series of 'what-ifs' that Evans presents, which are thought-provoking and offer deep insights into societal issues. The collection is praised for its depth and the way it challenges readers to think critically about the complexities of race and racism.

Quick quotes

    Each story contributes to a nuanced exploration of race and racism in America.

    Offering a series of 'what-ifs' and seeing them through to the end.

    The collection is praised for its depth and insight.

Feminist Book Club · 2021-01-22
thoughtful 4.50

The collection centers around themes of apologies and grief, particularly through the lens of Black characters. The stories are poignant and thought-provoking, exploring complex emotions and societal issues.

This collection is a deep dive into the emotions of apologies and grief, using Black characters to tell these stories. The reviewer appreciates how Evans crafts each story to be both poignant and thought-provoking, tackling complex emotions and societal issues with nuance. They highlight the author's ability to make each character's journey feel personal and impactful, making the collection a must-read for those interested in exploring these themes.

Quick quotes

    Evans centers her stories around apologies and grief, specifically in relation to the Black characters she creates.

    The stories are poignant and thought-provoking, exploring complex emotions and societal issues.

    Each character's journey feels personal and impactful.

Chicago Review of Books · 2020-11-16
necessary 4.00

The collection is timely and skillfully interprets modern issues like cancel culture and fake news. The stories are seen as a necessary critique of contemporary society.

The reviewer sees this collection as a timely and necessary critique of the current moment. Evans skillfully interprets modern issues such as cancel culture, fake news, and political cults, making the stories feel relevant and urgent. They appreciate how the author uses fiction to explore these complex and often contentious topics, providing a nuanced perspective that resonates with today's societal challenges.

Quick quotes

    The Office Of Historical Corrections is a collection for the moment.

    Evans skillfully interprets cancel culture, fake news, and political cults.

    The stories are a necessary critique of contemporary society.

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