Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld
Curtis Sittenfeld’s collection Show Don't Tell brings together twelve sharply observed stories that explore the complexities of modern life with her familiar blend of wit, emotional insight and keen social awareness. The characters, often women at pivotal or reflective moments in their lives, navigate the pressures of ambition, relationships, ageing and the subtle rules that govern how people present themselves. Whether she is writing about an MFA student anxious for a fellowship decision or an artist grappling with the expectations of contemporary culture, Sittenfeld captures the humour and pain that sit quietly beneath everyday interactions.
What makes the collection especially engaging is the precision of Sittenfeld’s character work. She excels at tracking the small thoughts that reveal large truths, creating stories that feel intimate, relatable, and quietly profound. Many of the pieces are funny in understated ways, while others leave a lingering emotional weight. The result is a thoughtful, clever and tender collection that showcases Sittenfeld’s talent for peeling back the layers of ordinary lives in ways that feel both insightful and deeply human.
