Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld.

Posted by Ms K on October 12, 2025 in All | Leave a comment

Huzzah. Curtis Sittenfeld and I are friends again. You might remember my review of her book Romantic Comedy but if not, I’ll summarise it and politely say, that book just was not for me. No need to go back and rehash why, let’s just go forward.

But Show Don’t Tell definitely was a book for me. And here is the plot twist because I don’t love short stories. I am a boots and all, tell me everything style reader. I want it all, the big story, 100s of pages – not teasers. So, imagine my surprise, and then my grumbling, when I sat down to give Curtis another chance, only to find out it was in fact a series of short stories. The anguish – do I, don’t I read it? Is this officially the end between Curtis and me?

Well, hey ho, imagine my absolute delight to read every line, every story and love every single one. Hook line and sinker.

There are 12 glorious stories, and I was riveted. Every one is written with precision, with humour and nuanced observations about our humanness. 

I won’t go into the stories but there is not one that is lesser than the other. Read this book please. It’s an easy one and if you love short stories, you’ll be in heaven. If you don’t, you’re in for a wonderful surprise and you may be a changed reader henceforth. I am.

And that is just my two cents worth.