Literature & Fiction
![Lydia Conklin - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_lydia_conklin.jpg)
Rainbow Rainbow: Stories
A fearless collection of stories that celebrate the humor, darkness, and depth of emotion of the queer and trans experience that'snot typically represented: liminal or uncertain identities, queer conception, and queer joy
In this exuberant, prize-winning collection, queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming characters seek love and connection in hilarious and heartrending stories that reflect the complexity of our current moment.
A nonbinary writer on the eve of top surgery enters into a risky affair during the height of COVID. A lesbian couple enlists a close friend as a sperm donor, plying him with a potent rainbow-colored cocktail. A lonely office worker struggling with their gender identity chaperones their nephew to a trans YouTube convention. And in the depths of a Midwestern winter, a sex-addicted librarian relies on her pet ferrets to help resist a relapse at a wild college fair.
Capturing both the dark and lovable sides of the human experience, Rainbow Rainbow establishes debut author Lydia Conklin as a fearless new voice for their generation.
In this exuberant, prize-winning collection, queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming characters seek love and connection in hilarious and heartrending stories that reflect the complexity of our current moment.
A nonbinary writer on the eve of top surgery enters into a risky affair during the height of COVID. A lesbian couple enlists a close friend as a sperm donor, plying him with a potent rainbow-colored cocktail. A lonely office worker struggling with their gender identity chaperones their nephew to a trans YouTube convention. And in the depths of a Midwestern winter, a sex-addicted librarian relies on her pet ferrets to help resist a relapse at a wild college fair.
Capturing both the dark and lovable sides of the human experience, Rainbow Rainbow establishes debut author Lydia Conklin as a fearless new voice for their generation.
Editorial Reviews
Named a Most Anticipated Book by Time, Nerd Daily, Lit Hub, LGBTQ Reads, Electric Literature, The Millions, and Seahawk
A Publishers Weekly Best Summer Read
"Explores and celebrates uncertain and transitory moments of gender identity with humor and verve." -The New York Times Book Review
"Highlights queer, gender-nonconforming, and trans characters. Most are seeking some sense of connection . . . Conklin portrays them all with warmth and compassion."-Time, A Most Anticipated Book of the Year
"Lydia Conklin's timely debut, Rainbow Rainbow, should be celebrated as both a work of activism and a literary triumph . . . Reading about these poignant inner lives is absorbing and thought-provoking." -Rigoberto González, San Francisco Chronicle
"Gleefully queer . . . Rainbow Rainbow weaves between hope and despair, love and fear as its characters-a lesbian comics artist, a sex addict, a trans vlogger, various teenagers coming-of-age (and into their sexuality)-wrestle with the fraught dynamics of gender identity and queer romance in the 21st century." -Lauren Puckett-Pope, Elle
"Effervescent . . . Conklin's compassionate stories are so accomplished and sure-footed that you'll be shocked to learn this is their debut." -Adrienne Westenfeld, Esquire
"If you dig queer stories, these are the queerest of the queer! Full of joy, nerve and verve, this debut collection is a stunner." -Karla Strand, Ms.
"Lydia Conklin's Rainbow Rainbow offers readers a masterful collage of perspectives from people living-or trying to live-their best possible lives. It's real, raw, and occasionally brutal, but queer and trans readers will find many of their feelings and experiences reflected here." -K.W. Colyard, Bustle
"Funny, poignant, incisive, melancholic, and smart. "-Sarah Neilson, Shondaland
"Queer in every way . . . Immersive . . . Laugh-out-loud funny." -Sarah Neilson, A
A Publishers Weekly Best Summer Read
"Explores and celebrates uncertain and transitory moments of gender identity with humor and verve." -The New York Times Book Review
"Highlights queer, gender-nonconforming, and trans characters. Most are seeking some sense of connection . . . Conklin portrays them all with warmth and compassion."-Time, A Most Anticipated Book of the Year
"Lydia Conklin's timely debut, Rainbow Rainbow, should be celebrated as both a work of activism and a literary triumph . . . Reading about these poignant inner lives is absorbing and thought-provoking." -Rigoberto González, San Francisco Chronicle
"Gleefully queer . . . Rainbow Rainbow weaves between hope and despair, love and fear as its characters-a lesbian comics artist, a sex addict, a trans vlogger, various teenagers coming-of-age (and into their sexuality)-wrestle with the fraught dynamics of gender identity and queer romance in the 21st century." -Lauren Puckett-Pope, Elle
"Effervescent . . . Conklin's compassionate stories are so accomplished and sure-footed that you'll be shocked to learn this is their debut." -Adrienne Westenfeld, Esquire
"If you dig queer stories, these are the queerest of the queer! Full of joy, nerve and verve, this debut collection is a stunner." -Karla Strand, Ms.
"Lydia Conklin's Rainbow Rainbow offers readers a masterful collage of perspectives from people living-or trying to live-their best possible lives. It's real, raw, and occasionally brutal, but queer and trans readers will find many of their feelings and experiences reflected here." -K.W. Colyard, Bustle
"Funny, poignant, incisive, melancholic, and smart. "-Sarah Neilson, Shondaland
"Queer in every way . . . Immersive . . . Laugh-out-loud funny." -Sarah Neilson, A
Readers Top Reviews
Jill S. Brown
I didn’t know what I was missing in reading this full collection of queerio magic. What an amazing talent. I saw myself in all the teens. THE best tonic for tired times. Will gift this to many of my peeps. ~jbro
