Show Don’t Tell : Stories

Show Don’t Tell: Stories is Curtis Sittenfeld’s sharp, witty exploration of modern life through the lives of characters navigating middle age, marriage, art, and self-discovery. Each story peels back layers of everyday struggles—divorce, societal expectations, creative ambition—with Sittenfeld’s signature blend of humor and empathy. Fans of her novel Prep will delight in a reunion with Lee Fiora, now older and reflecting on her past at a boarding school alumni event. The collection also tackles timely themes like gender dynamics, as seen in a story where a married artist challenges the “Mike Pence Rule” by spending time alone with a male colleague. Sittenfeld’s prose sparkles with relatable dialogue and keen observations, making even mundane moments feel profound. Whether dissecting a viral misunderstanding at a school event or a babysitter’s brush with a tech mogul’s early days, these stories celebrate flawed, ordinary lives with extraordinary insight.