A collection of dark, surreal short stories exploring themes of time travel, technology, climate change, and relationships, delving into the fragility of memory and the impact of the unseen on our lives. Readers are taken on a journey through eerie and cerebral narratives that blur the lines between reality and the unknown, offering a glimpse into a future shaped by uncertainty and the complexities of human connection.

Reader Review Summary

"How We Know Our Time Travelers: Stories" by Anita Felicelli is a captivating and thought-provoking collection of short stories that explores the intricacies of human relationships, the uncertainties of time, and the impact of technology and climate change on our lives. With her masterful storytelling and surreal, atmospheric writing style, Felicelli takes readers on a genre-bending journey through a series of dark, intellectual, and unsettling tales.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in Felicelli's ability to seamlessly blend elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, and literary fiction, creating a unique and immersive reading experience. From a bickering couple using an app to track their fights in "Keeping Score" to a woman encountering a younger version of her own husband at her art exhibition in the titular story, each narrative offers a fresh and imaginative perspective on the complexities of human connections and the fragility of memory.

Felicelli's stories are not mere flights of fancy; they tap into primal anxieties about our post-pandemic reality and the looming threat of environmental collapse. Yet, even in the face of these existential challenges, her characters find ways to forge meaningful connections, yearning for deeper intimacies and attempting to bend the boundaries of time and reality. This exploration of human resilience and the enduring power of relationships is a recurring theme throughout the collection and adds a poignant, emotional depth to the narratives.

The author's exceptional command of language and her ability to craft atmospheric, surreal settings further elevate the reading experience. From the unsettling presence of an unseen lodger in "A Minor Disturbance" to the creepy friends selling jars of fog in "The Fog Catchers," Felicelli's descriptive prowess immerses readers in these uncanny worlds, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

Moreover, the collection's diversity in terms of themes and narrative styles ensures that there is something for every reader to enjoy. Whether it's a poignant examination of love and loss, a thought-provoking exploration of the impact of technology, or a haunting tale of environmental degradation, Felicelli's stories consistently captivate and provoke contemplation.

In conclusion, Anita Felicelli's "How We Know Our Time Travelers: Stories" is a tour de force of imaginative storytelling, offering a unique and profound exploration of human connections, time, and the ever-evolving dynamics of our relationships with technology and the natural world. With its atmospheric prose, surreal narratives, and thought-provoking themes, this collection is a must-read for anyone seeking an intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant literary experience.