Book Review Summary: The Best American Essays 2022

Introduction

The Best American Essays 2022, edited by Alexander Chee, is a collection of essays that showcases the best examples of the personal essay genre published in the previous year. Chee, a renowned novelist and essayist, has selected twenty essays that represent the zeitgeist of the era, exploring themes such as trauma, desire, identity, and the impact of global events. This review will analyze the book's common opinions and reasons for recommendation and not recommendation.

About Alexander Chee

Alexander Chee, the guest editor of The Best American Essays 2022, is a highly acclaimed novelist and essayist. Born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, and raised in South Korea, Guam, Truk, and Maine, Chee attended Wesleyan University and the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his writing, including a Whiting Writers' Award, an NEA Fellowship in Fiction, and a fellowship from the MacDowell Colony. Chee's second novel, The Queen of the Night, is forthcoming from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2021. He lives in New York City.

Analysis of Views

1. Heavy Subject Matter: Many readers found the essays in this collection to be heavy and challenging, reflecting the current climate of global pandemic and societal issues. They appreciated the essays' exploration of trauma, identity, and personal experiences.

2. Zeitgeist Representation: Alexander Chee's selection of essays was praised for capturing the spirit of the era. Readers felt that the essays reflected universal truths and shed light on specific experiences. They appreciated the diversity of voices and perspectives presented in the collection.

3. Personal Voices: The personal essays in this collection were highly regarded for their authenticity and vulnerability. Readers found themselves drawn to the individual voices and their ability to convey deep emotions and experiences. They appreciated the honesty and courage displayed by the essayists.

4. Highly Personal Writing: The essays in The Best American Essays 2022 were praised for their highly personal nature. Readers found them to be introspective, thought-provoking, and deeply moving. They appreciated the exploration of personal struggles and the insights gained from these experiences.

5. Elegiac Vibe: Some readers noted that there was a strong elegiac vibe present in the essays. They felt that the collection was a tribute to creative nonfiction and celebrated stories by those who had lived. They appreciated the way the essayists shone light on universal truths through their specific experiences.

Reasons for Recommendation

1. Thought-Provoking Content: Readers highly recommended The Best American Essays 2022 for its thought-provoking content. They found the essays to be deeply personal and introspective, exploring a range of topics that resonated with them on a personal level. They appreciated the opportunity to engage with diverse voices and perspectives.

2. High-Quality Writing: The quality of writing in this collection was widely praised by readers. They found the essays to be well-crafted, engaging, and beautifully written. They appreciated the skillful storytelling and the way the essayists conveyed their experiences with honesty and grace.

3. Inspiring Stories: Many readers found the stories in this collection to be inspiring and uplifting. They appreciated the resilience and courage displayed by the essayists, who faced challenges with grace and found meaning in their struggles. They felt that these stories had the power to inspire others to confront their own challenges with courage and determination.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

1. Heavy Subject Matter: Some readers found the heavy subject matter of The Best American Essays 2022 to be overwhelming or triggering. They appreciated the thought-provoking content but felt that it was too intense for their personal preferences. They recommended caution for those who may be sensitive to graphic descriptions of trauma or difficult topics.

2. Limited Diversity: A few readers felt that there was limited diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender representation in this collection. They appreciated the inclusion of essays by various authors but felt that there could have been more representation from underrepresented groups. They recommended further exploration of diverse perspectives in future editions.

Conclusion

The Best American Essays 2022, edited by Alexander Chee, is a collection of twenty essays that showcase the best examples of the personal essay genre published in the previous year. Readers praised the book for its thought-provoking content, high-quality writing, and inspiring stories. However, some found the heavy subject matter challenging or triggering and recommended caution for those sensitive to graphic descriptions of trauma or difficult topics. Overall, The Best American Essays 2022 offers a diverse range of perspectives and provides an opportunity to engage with deeply personal stories that resonate with readers on a profound level.