American Estrangement: Stories

Sayrafiezadeh’s rich collection (after Brief Encounters with the Enemy) features poignant stories of characters reflecting on their parents and navigating mismatched jobs. “Audition” features an unnamed wannabe actor who “never breaks character” while working construction for his father. The actor’s confident narration masks his insecurity as he experiences “the meaning of hard work up close and personal.” Later, he takes to smoking crack with a coworker. The last entry, “A Beginner’s Guide to Estrangement,” is reminiscent of Cheever as it depicts a son trying to find common ground when he reunites with his father after 15 years. In between are more gems. “Last Meal at Whole Foods” recounts a son, whose mother is dying, wistfully observing, “Her beauty is a vexing and unresolved public issue for me.” In “A, S, D, F,” a gallery receptionist who sees “everything through the prism of the abstract expressionist’s paintbrush,” tries to stave off boredom. But the futuristic “Fairground,” about a man taking his preteen stepson to see an execution, feels out of place among the realist entries. Nevertheless, Sayrafiezadeh vividly captures his characters’ misplaced optimism, which is what makes these stories so moving. (Aug.)