You Know You Want This

You Know You Want This is a collection of short stories that gained attention after one of its entries, "Cat Person," became a viral sensation in The New Yorker. The book contains twelve stories that explore power dynamics, desire, and modern relationships. The narratives range from realism to horror, featuring characters who navigate complex situations involving dating, sexuality, and control. The stories examine both physical and psychological tensions between people, often focusing on moments of connection and conflict. Each tale in the collection presents characters confronting their own dark impulses and testing social boundaries. The settings vary from contemporary dating scenes to more surreal landscapes, creating a mix of familiar and unsettling scenarios. The collection speaks to broader themes about human nature, particularly how people wield power in intimate relationships and the sometimes dangerous territory between attraction and repulsion.

Many readers came to this short story collection after the viral success of "Cat Person" but found the other stories didn't meet their expectations. Readers appreciated: - The raw, unflinching examination of power dynamics - The author's ability to create tension - Memorable, unsettling moments that linger - Strong writing style and pacing Common criticisms: - Stories feel unnecessarily graphic or violent - Characters lack depth - Too much focus on shock value over substance - Inconsistent quality across the collection Ratings: Goodreads: 3.0/5 (18,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (280+ ratings) "The stories after Cat Person feel like they're trying too hard to be edgy," noted one Amazon reviewer. Several Goodreads reviews mention abandoning the book partway through, citing gratuitous content. A recurring theme in reviews is disappointment that other stories don't match the nuanced relationship dynamics of "Cat Person." Multiple readers described feeling "let down" after high expectations from the viral story.

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado Short stories that blend horror and feminism while exploring bodily autonomy and desire through a mix of realistic and supernatural elements.

Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh Collection of stories featuring characters who inhabit the darker corners of human behavior and relationships with unflinching focus on physical and psychological discomfort.

Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Stories that push boundaries between reality and surrealism while examining power structures and human connections through sharp social commentary.

Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin Interconnected narratives that probe the unsettling aspects of human connection and surveillance in the digital age through a series of technological encounters.

What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah Collection merging realism with speculative elements to explore relationships, power dynamics, and human nature through cultural and personal lenses.

🔖 "Cat Person," the story that launched Roupenian to fame, became The New Yorker's most-read piece of online fiction in 2017, reaching over 4.5 million readers 🔖 The book was purchased for a reported seven-figure sum in a major bidding war between 12 publishing houses, one of the largest deals ever for a short story collection 🔖 HBO has acquired the rights to develop several stories from the collection into a drama series, with the author serving as an executive producer 🔖 Roupenian wrote "Cat Person" based partially on a brief encounter from her own dating life, completing the story in a single sitting 🔖 Before becoming a writer, Roupenian served in the Peace Corps in Kenya and earned a PhD in African Literature from Harvard University