Onlookers

Stories

By: Ann Beattie

Narrated by: Allyson Ryan

* “Supple, superb.” —The Boston Globe * “A deft mash of lonesomeness and wit.” —Chicago Tribune * “Her best in more than two decades.” —The New York Times *

Award-winning short story writer Ann Beattie returns with a “sophisticated, idiosyncratic, and witty” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis) collection of linked stories set in Charlottesville, Virginia, in a moment of unrest.

Onlookers is collection of extraordinary stories about people living in the same Southern town whose lives intersect in surprising ways. Peaceful Charlottesville, Virginia, drew national attention when white nationalists held a rally there in 2017, a horrific event whose repercussions are still felt today. Confederate monuments such as General Robert E. Lee atop his horse were then still standing. The statues are a constant presence and a metaphoric refrain throughout this collection, though they represent different things to different characters. Some landmarks may have faded from consciousness but provoke fresh outrage when viewed through newly opened eyes.

In “Nearby,” an elderly man and his younger wife watch from their penthouse as protestors gather to oppose the once “heroic” explorers Lewis and Clark depicted towering over their native guide, Sacagawea. A lawyer in “In the Great Southern Tradition” deals with a crisis on Richmond’s Monument Avenue, while his sister and nephew plant tulip bulbs at her stately home.

These are stories of unexpected relationships that affirm the value of friendship, even when it requires difficult compromises or unexpected risks. Ann Beattie explores questions about the nature of community, and “proves her herself up to the task of pinpointing America’s contradictions” (Publishers Weekly).

Critic reviews

"Ryan creates varied and distinct portrayals of the large cast and impressively depicts the ambiance of each setting. Insightful writing and skilled narration create a satisfying listen."

Small Town Vibe

Smart, supportive women are the main characters in the short stories in “Onlookers.” They are the helpers, dutifully providing support to husbands and other professionals—doctors, lawyers—while dealing with their own complicated feelings.

Charlottesville, Virginia may be the real protagonist of these stories. All take place in the city as it recovers from the disruptions of the far-right Unite the Right march, the controversy over statue removal and Covid-19. But here, the city retains a small-town feeling. Everyone seems to know everyone—characters from one story often make a cameo appearance in another. And more important, the characters seem to care about each other.

My main reservation is a lack of focus. New characters are introduced midway in a story, others fade, and the stories often lack endings. Stories stop without resolution, although you may learn a character’s fate in passing in a later story. I finished some of these stories asking, “Then what??” Overall, we care for these characters, and we want to know how things turned out.

The narrator did a good job with the characters’ voices.

Charlottesville!

Loved all the Charlottesville references! Characters were awesome. I will definitely read more from this author.

Love the book - narrator obviously not from CVille

I loved this collection on short stories. The Charlottesville landmarks are like Easter eggs throughout the book. The narrator was good, but mispronounced Staunton, Monticello, crèche and local intonation of ACAC.