The protagonists in Saba Sams’ stories, teen girls and women trying to navigate modern life, are as messy as they’re empowering. Send Nudes, Sams’ latest book, holds stories of mystery and intrigue, grief and humour: as an introspective collection of short fiction, it consistently delves into characters’ emotions, their thought processes, and how these women maintain control.
Of the 10 stories in Send Nudes, Tenderloin and Send Nudes itself stand out, both focused on dating themes and told in the third person about a single female character. Today’s Square – a touching portrayal of a mother and daughter finding a way to cope during lockdown – took me by surprise, too. Sams possesses a unique, electric writing style and crafts vivid, raw characters in short spaces of time. Complex and real, they’re people to connect with – whether we like them or not.
Witty, compelling and engaging, this collection is an intriguing one that offers a perceptive insight into young women’s internal lives. Recommended for fans of contemporary, slightly offbeat short stories.
Send Nudes, Saba Sams (Bloomsbury)
Price: £13.49/£10.49 Ebook. Info: here
words BILLIE INGRAM SOFOKLEOUS