Literature & Fiction
![Lydia Conklin - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B09FPP4NRQ.jpg)
Rainbow Rainbow: Stories
Longlisted for The Story Prize & the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection
A fearless collection of stories that celebrate the humor, darkness, and depth of emotion of the queer and trans experience that's not 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.
A fearless collection of stories that celebrate the humor, darkness, and depth of emotion of the queer and trans experience that's not 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.
Editorial Reviews
Longlisted for The Story Prize & the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection
NPR, A Best Book of the Year
Debutiful, A Best Book of the Year
Publishers Weekly, A Best Summer Read
Named a Most Anticipated Book by TIME, Nerd Daily, Lit Hub, LGBTQ Reads, Electric Literature, The Millions, and Seahawk
"For far too long, queer, trans and non-binary people have been massively underrepresented in American fiction. Debut author Lydia Conklin aims to change that with their beautiful short story collection. The stories here tackle complex issues of identity and self-discovery with sometimes heartbreaking insight; Conklin doesn't shy away from addressing their characters' often painful journeys. This is an absolute triumph of a book." -Michael Schaub, A NPR Best Book of the Year
"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
"Conklin's immense storytelling acumen is on incredible display here within every tale and on every page. Don't miss this one." -Jim Piechota, The Bay Area Reporter
"Dazzling . . . Compulsively readable." -Emma Specter, Vogue
"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....
NPR, A Best Book of the Year
Debutiful, A Best Book of the Year
Publishers Weekly, A Best Summer Read
Named a Most Anticipated Book by TIME, Nerd Daily, Lit Hub, LGBTQ Reads, Electric Literature, The Millions, and Seahawk
"For far too long, queer, trans and non-binary people have been massively underrepresented in American fiction. Debut author Lydia Conklin aims to change that with their beautiful short story collection. The stories here tackle complex issues of identity and self-discovery with sometimes heartbreaking insight; Conklin doesn't shy away from addressing their characters' often painful journeys. This is an absolute triumph of a book." -Michael Schaub, A NPR Best Book of the Year
"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
"Conklin's immense storytelling acumen is on incredible display here within every tale and on every page. Don't miss this one." -Jim Piechota, The Bay Area Reporter
"Dazzling . . . Compulsively readable." -Emma Specter, Vogue
"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....
Readers Top Reviews
kathleen g
An impressive debut. This collection of 10 stories won't be for everyone but short story fans as well as those who value queer, trans, gender non-conforming people should pick it up for its thoughtful and enlightening approach to so many issues. Know that Conklin addresses some uncomfortable and difficult things, chief among them abuse and the death of a pet. Know also that there's always a rainbow in the story. Conklin's writing is wonderful. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. Read these one at a time - over a period of days- to fully appreciate them.
Matthew Denton-E
Each one of these stories is a gem-- the characters are all quirky and charming. You'll sympathize deeply with their struggles, and just as often you'll just laugh at the absurdity of the situations they get themselves into. Conklin has their own style -- always full of energy. You won't find another book like this one. Highly recommend.
LeslieBB6
I couldn't put this book down. Both hilarious and heart-rending, these well-crafted stories are full of sharp, spot-on detail and authentically drawn characters.
#EmptyNestReaderRuth
A collection of short stories each of which look at the experiences of queer, gender non-confirming and trans persons. Each searching for love and understanding. Tales vary from a queer feminist book club to queer joy to queer darkness each of which take the reader on its own experiences. Some stories were rougher than others. Some were a bit too much for me. I have difficulty with stories that include pedophilia and sexuality among minors. Still, even these were not without their own value on their own edge of gender self discovery. My own attempts at continually growing and learning led me to open Rainbow, Rainbow. The tales I found the most troubling felt darker, as if the darkness had no true meaning. But that, fellow reader, is for each of us to decide independently. I challenge all other readers to stretch and to benefit from the education that reading items outside your usual genre can provide. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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
