Wild Failure: Stories BY Zoe Whittall

Wild Failure is a dazzling debut collection of ten potent short stories by bestselling author Zoe Whittall, showcasing her mastery in capturing the intricacies of queer and feminist experiences. Each story plunges readers into the lives of characters grappling with shame, desire, attachment, and disconnection as they navigate through life’s complexities.

In “Oh, El,” a dominant woman’s playful cruelty tugs at the heartstrings of a vulnerable co-worker, leading to an emotionally charged power dynamic. The title story, “Wild Failure,” explores a doomed love affair between an agoraphobic and a wilderness hiker, portraying the tension between fear and freedom. “Half-Pipe” captures the chaotic consequences of a teen girl’s ambivalence towards her heterosexuality in the tumultuous setting of a skate park. In “Murder at the Elm Street Collective House,” idealistic roommates are thrust into the spotlight as the subject of a true crime podcast, unraveling their communal bonds. Meanwhile, “The Sex Castle Lunch Buffet” delves into a woman’s nostalgic reflection on her time at a nineties strip club after learning about the death of a former client.

Whittall’s Wild Failure is infused with her signature wit and tender insights, delivering a vibrant collection that probes the meaning of desire in a world that often devalues femininity and queerness. Through poetic prose and vivid storytelling, Whittall presents a nuanced exploration of the human condition, making Wild Failure a poignant and thought-provoking read.