Boats in the Attic

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This collection is a poignant exploration of individuality and parenting during a time of crisis. Amidst everyday errands and a child's desire for a birthday balloon, the backdrop includes rising sea levels and wild wolves in Chernobyl, evoking a sense of urgency. The author blends lyrical prose with humor and metacommentary, addressing the challenges of contemporary life, such as lockdown drills in preschools and a woman's quest for cryogenic preservation through Reddit. Conversations between the speaker and her children reveal the beauty and terror of existential uncertainty, prompting reflections on other planets and our place in the universe. In a standout piece, the speaker dreams of "an encyclopedia of lost things," encapsulating the collection's thematic breadth. The author draws on diverse references, including astronomy and Alice in Wonderland, to delve into the complexities of human desires for pleasure, power, and escape, all while maintaining a uniquely celebratory yet elegiac tone.