In this “absolute marvel of a book” (Dinaw Mengestu, author of Someone Like Us), acclaimed author Remy Ngamije offers up a vibrant collection of award-winning short fiction.
Presented as a literary mixtape, Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space is a work that provides you with a uniquely modern reading experience. The A-Side, read as one narrative, tells the story of a soon-to-be thirty-year-old aspiring writer navigating a complicated world. The B-Side, taken as a separate experience, features (seemingly) independent and unrelated short stories.
There’s “Crunchy, Green Apples (or, Omo)”, a story about loss told by the strangest of narrative devices: a shopping list. “Sofa, So Good, Sort Of (or, John Muafangejo)” is a first-person account of a family’s history and a long journey towards hope. A group of friends attempts to navigate a recent breakup in “From the Lost City of Hurtlantis to the Streets of Helldorado (or, Franco).”
When read together, however, a third world emerges—a complex, intergenerational, and interconnected “journey across all genres” (Mukoma Wa Ngugi, author of Unbury Our Dead with Song) that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
“Ngamije is undeniably an excellent stylist, able to delight, amuse and horrify in equal measure, and Only the Stars Know the Meaning of Space, which feels more connected and cohesive the further you read, is an exciting and fresh approach to a work of collected fictions.” —Los Angeles Times
“Remy Ngamije has written an absolute marvel of a book--brilliantly conceived and unlike anything I've read before, with each story, chapter, paragraph a declaration of Ngamije's extraordinary gifts.”—Dinaw Mengestu, author of SOMEONE LIKE US, John D and Catherine T MacArthur Professor of the Humanities and director of Bard’s Written Arts program
“Ngamije has a voice like none other. This collection of stories moves beautifully to its own rhythm.” —Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, New York Times bestselling author of Chain-Gang All-Stars and Friday Black
“Rémy Ngamije’s Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space is among the most exciting, innovative, and wonderfully observed story collections to appear in recent memory. It’s knock-down drag-out funny and overflows with raw honesty. What can’t Ngamije do?” —Peter Orner, author of The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Award
“I love this writing. I’m listening to my mind as I read Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space. Remy writes in a way I’ve always known, but I’ve never heard.” —Aku Orraca-Tetteh, dj, producer, musician for Florence + The Machine, and Saul Williams
