She Was Like That

“A fascinatingly integrated story collection...Mother love brings strange moments of what can only be called grace, moments Walbert captures with an unusual combination of restraint and rhapsody.”
—Claire Dederer, The New York Times Book Review

Reviews

“In this evocative collection, the love of women for their children can provide salvation or a trap. Or both, at the same time. Walbert captures maternal love and its moments of grace with an unusual combination of restraint and rhapsody.” —The New York Times, Editors’ Choice
“A striking, often melancholy collection [that] grapples with the joys and anxieties of motherhood.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“An intense look at women searching — often fruitlessly — for companionship, while striving to hold on to their dreams.” —Cory Oldweiler, AM New York
“This is a piercing, intimate, and exquisite collection.” —Publishers Weekly
“Tales of spare, unflinching beauty show how love and loneliness can occupy a heart together.” —Kirkus Reviews
“I loved these stories, wide-open, varied, generous, warm, funny.” —Tessa Hadley, author of Late in the Day

Awards/Honors

  • Longlisted for the 2019 Story Prize
  • One of the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2019