4 out of 4 stars
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New Stories We Tell is a collection of true stories written by American women journalists. It is edited by Kaylen Ralph and Joanna Demkiewicz. Many of the authors are young, and the articles have been published in magazines, especially in New York and California. They are exceptional examples of long-form journalism, and several of the writers have won awards. The salient feature of this genre is that the literary style of novels is used for writing nonfiction. Of course, not every person who reads this book will like every piece. It depends on their interests and preferences.
Most of the articles are informative and were published during the last four years. I was previously unaware of some of the issues raised by the authors. My favorite is “The Takeover” by Rachael Aviv. First published in The New Yorker, it describes the enigma of how representatives of a government can cheat the aged under the guise of guardianship. I found it unbelievable. It has conscientized and alerted me about similar injustices happening around me.
In another article, the cultural differences between North and South Korea, described by Ann Babe, came as a surprise. The piece about a lifestyle website seemed weird. A few critiques expose racism and segregation. Feminist issues like gender discrimination and campus rape are also highlighted. Brooke Jarvis’ write-up “Unclaimed” moved me to tears. It was about an immigrant (in a persistent vegetative state) who was looked after for more than a decade and reunited with his family. Topics such as sports, comedy, and teen vaping are included. A report on the investigation of a baby’s death is very intriguing. I did not like the story dealing with home abortions by women. Three siblings supporting the Islamic State was another tale that terrified me. It raised several questions about the religious upbringing of children and teenagers.
It is a known fact that men dominate the world of nonfiction. As far as I’m aware, women writers tend to focus on feminist issues. This book is different because it brings together the excellent contributions of women journalists on varied topics. I appreciate how the editors celebrate the differences between the writing styles of authors from varied backgrounds. Every story begins with a short biographical account by the writer that helps you to understand the underlying passion and focus of her journalism. This is a praiseworthy aspect of the structure of New Stories We Tell. The “Editor’s Note” reveals the need to promote the work of women in this field and is thought-provoking.
New Stories We Tell seems to have been professionally formatted and edited. I found a few typos that were not distracting. People who like to read inspiring writings on social issues will enjoy it. It may also appeal to journalists, educationists, and social workers, especially women. I am happy to award this anthology a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I did not give it a lower rating because of its excellence and innovative concept in the field of journalism. Some of the stories are still lingering in my mind after reading the entire book.
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New Stories We Tell
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