Elizabeth McCracken

I recently picked up a collection of Elizabeth McCracken's stories, "Thunderstruck" from 2011. In particular, one story, "Property," has stayed with me. This story weaves together a young woman's death and the grief of her husband along with his new job of cataloging a collection of 1960s underground publications into a story about context. His wife's career as a museum consultant influenced her desire to have nothing of her exist after her death. "She did not want anyone to exhibit even the smallest bit of her."

The story collection is quite melancholy and features McCracken's slightly askew view of the world. This particular story gripped me and I recommend it.