If I Survive You is a collection of short stories by Jonathan Escoffery, published in September 2022 and long listed for the National Book Award. A debut that’s been praised by the likes of Ann Patchett and Marlon James, this book has catapulted Escoffery into the spotlight, and for good reason — it’s an electric, impressive work of fiction. The collection centers around a family living in Miami through the end of 20th century and into the 21st, with stories flowing back and forth between perspectives, timelines, and backdrops. In one story, the origin story of sorts, Topper and Sanya immigrate to America in the ‘70s to escape political unrest in their hometown of Kingston, Jamaica. They land in swampy South Florida where they start a family, and alternate between pride and frustration as they watch their sons grow up with American accents and expectations. In another story, their younger son Trelawny navigates an adolescence divided into Black and white and Hispanic circles, perpetually on the outskirts and not quite accepted by any. Wary questions of “What are you?” follow him into adulthood, causing deep feelings of otherness and loneliness. And in yet another, Trelawny’s cousin Cukie pursues a relationship with his absent father, highlighting the human capacity for hope even when it defies logic. Through hurricanes and homelessness, recessions and racism, the family shoulders on in pursuit of an American Dream that doesn’t seem to exist, continually passing the torch on to the next generation. All of the stories link up to form a multi-faceted portrait of a family, one that explores identity, legacy, and belonging with breathtaking insight.

This collection of short stories absolutely captivated me. I loved the voice of Trelawny, the character that really anchors the book; he looks at the world with resigned practicality and razor-sharp understanding, and has this dark sense of humor that offers a break from the book’s overarching tension. Escoffery also creates a deep sense of place in his stories, and I felt as if I could see, hear, and smell South Florida through his vivid descriptions. Even though all of the stories can stand fully on their own, with intricately crafted characters and storylines, I think that the beauty of the book comes from the way the stories interact with each other. The different perspectives challenge each other and complement each other; one story offering answers to another story’s baffling questions. In this way, If I Survive You feels like a novel, with the same characters running throughout and their stories gradually building on one another. Escoffery pushes into intense, unexpected, and challenging subject matter with confidence, and I found myself filled with trust for him as an author, willing to follow his stories wherever he chose to take them. If I Survive You is the stunning debut of a gifted storyteller, and I can’t recommend this collection highly enough.

I’d recommend this book to…

• Anyone looking for a powerful, heartbreaking story about family and the American immigrant experience… it’s similar in theme to A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
• Anyone who loves smart stories that challenge you to think differently… it’s similar in tone to The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
• Anyone who appreciates concise yet lyrical writing that hits every emotional note… it’s similar in style to Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford