CRAWL

Delsohn captures the pathos and humor of transmasculine life in this entrancing debut collection.

They share a city (Seattle), an era (2010s), and a demographic (trans men, overwhelmingly in their 20s). Many name-drop the same clubs (Pony, Object), some share a doctor (Dr. Rolfe), and a handful frequent the same amusingly named triad of drug dealers known collectively as the Furniture Guy. But there is a greater kinship among the protagonists in these 10 stories: a true grappling with their understandings of themselves and what it means to be a member of a specific queer community. Each narrative drops us in a moment of tension or discovery. The opening story, “Crawl,” follows Jack’s one-night odyssey to explore the attraction to men that has blossomed in the wake of his transition. The technician who maintains the titular manufacturing device in “The Machine” must contend with his boss’ invasive personal questions. The narrator of “Don’t Be Boring” begins the difficult work of disentangling himself from a caustic but charismatic college friend. Delsohn displays enviable craft throughout the collection, evident in the skillfully composed arc of every story and the deftness and wit of individual lines. (Of a gregarious acquaintance, the narrator of “The Bubble” says, “We’d walk into a bar and he’d always know somebody; we’d walk into a gay bar and he’d always know everybody.”) This is a no-skips collection, but perhaps Delsohn’s most ambitious and moving work is the closer, “Same Old,” which follows 30-year-old Simon’s attempt to help the vulnerable, younger trans man who sold him acid—all while tripping.

Attempts and embarrassments, workaday triumphs and acts of kindness—Delsohn brings all this and more to shimmering life.