Things That Fall from the Sky

Things That Fall from the Sky is a collection of eleven short stories that demonstrate Kevin Brockmeier's distinctive approach to magical realism and everyday life. Two of the stories received O. Henry Awards, and one was featured in The Best American Short Stories. The stories range from tales about mysterious falling objects to explorations of fairy tale characters. Characters face both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances, including unexplained phenomena, transformative relationships, and shifts in reality. The narratives move between realistic settings and surreal elements, examining connections between people and the nature of loss. The collection features varied writing styles and perspectives while maintaining a cohesive exploration of how people navigate unexpected changes in their lives. This collection investigates themes of wonder, grief, and the intersection between the mundane and miraculous. Through its blend of realism and fantasy, the book considers how extraordinary events reshape ordinary lives.

Readers describe these short stories as surreal and melancholic, with themes of loss and redemption. Many note the blend of magical realism with everyday situations. Readers appreciate: - The precise, lyrical writing style - Emotional depth of the characters - How supernatural elements illuminate human experiences - The opening story "These Hands" and "The Ceiling" receive frequent mentions as standouts Common criticisms: - Some stories feel too abstract or lack resolution - Pacing can be slow - Religious themes are heavy-handed in certain stories - Uneven quality across the collection Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (40+ ratings) One reader noted: "Brockmeier captures small moments of grace in ordinary lives." Another wrote: "Beautiful writing but sometimes gets lost in its own metaphors." Several reviewers mention needing to read stories multiple times to grasp their full meaning, viewing this as either a strength or weakness.

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker Time slows and the world changes through the eyes of an adolescent girl who notices both cosmic events and intimate human moments.

St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell Characters navigate between reality and magic in stories that blend childhood experiences with supernatural elements.

Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link The mundane world collides with surreal circumstances in interconnected stories about loss, love, and transformation.

What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us by Laura van den Berg Characters face personal struggles against backdrops of cryptozoology, science, and unexplained phenomena.

The Shell Collector by Anthony Doerr Lives transform through encounters with natural wonders in stories that connect human experience to scientific observation.

🌟 The collection's title story was inspired by a real 1956 incident where airplane debris fell onto Montoursville, Pennsylvania 🌟 Kevin Brockmeier teaches at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, widely considered the most prestigious creative writing program in the United States 🌟 The book's publication in 2002 marked Brockmeier's transition from children's literature to adult fiction, though he continues to write for both audiences 🌟 One story from the collection, "The Ceiling," won an O. Henry Award and depicts a mysterious compression descending from the sky as a metaphor for a failing marriage 🌟 Several stories in the collection blend elements of magical realism, a literary style pioneered by Latin American authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Jorge Luis Borges