Short story collections have gained incredible popularity among readers in recent years. The rise of BookTok and Bookstagram has further fueled this trend, encouraging more people to embrace these compact, engaging, and entertaining reads.
Eliza Clark, whose debut novel Boy Parts achieved significant success within the online book community, has recently published her third piece of work and first short story collection, She’s Always Hungry. Clark is renowned for her sharp, intentional, and politically charged writing style. Her distinctive blend of dark humor and unconventional subject matters has given rise to stories that are both grotesque and surreal.
She’s Always Hungry opens with the story ‘Build a Body Like Mine’, which follows a woman grappling intensely with body image issues. Desperate to lose weight, she resorts to ingesting parasites that consume her from within, suppressing her appetite and causing rapid weight loss—until the parasites eventually exit her body on the toilet. While the book does come with trigger warnings (all of which are listed at the back), Clark addresses sensitive topics with a humour that doesn’t feel dismissive. Instead, her approach is both relatable and, surprisingly, comforting, striking a balance that acknowledges the seriousness of these issues without losing her unique, and comedic voice. This story is a prime example of that.
The next story in the collection, ‘The Problem Solver’, follows Juliet, who has survived rape and recounts their experience to her friend, Oscar. While a very somber story, what stands out in this story is the way Clark explores the profound bond between friends – the way those who love you can share in your pain, become fiercely protective, and go to great lengths to support you in the face of distress. Though an unfortunate and difficult topic, the story highlights how your pain resonates with those around you and the lengths they are willing to go in response. In this case, Oscar’s emotions drive him to resort to violence.
Next comes the titular story, ‘She’s Always Hungry’, a tale filled with oddity, body horror, and moments so outrageous that I often found myself in disbelief (in a good way). ‘She’s Always Hungry’ is set in a matriarchal coastal society where men basically succumb to a mysterious sea-driven madness. While it draws on folkloric themes, the story feels anything but conventional.
‘The Shadow over Little Chitaly’ is the story that stood out to me the most – primarily because I’ve never encountered a tale narrated through a review forum for a takeaway. Little Chitaly is a Chinese-Italian fusion takeaway – a bizarre concept in itself – and the story unfolds through the shared, strange experiences of its customers. Its sheer absurdity made it incredibly memorable, offering a light, fast-paced read that doesn’t demand too much overthinking. This story was extremely laugh-out-loud worthy.
In ‘Hollow Bones’, Clark delves into sci-fi themes, a departure from her usual style. While the story didn’t rank among my favorites – I found it slightly confusing at times due to how much was packed into the story – I can see it appealing to sci-fi enthusiasts. Despite my personal preferences, Clark’s talent for vivid descriptions and her ability to create something uniquely absurd still shines. Even though the plot of this story didn’t resonate with me, I still found the experience of reading it enjoyable – a true testament to her skill as a writer.
‘Goth GF’ is a concise, impactful, and bold short story that taps into the internet’s fascination with the archetypal goth girlfriend. The story follows a 20-year-old man consumed by an intense obsession with his 28-year-old goth co-worker. His obsession is so consuming that he fantasises about her humiliating him, often losing himself in her Instagram photos, indulging in them with the fervor of a teenager discovering porn for the first time. The story ends with “We agree she would treat me like complete dirt at every given opportunity. We agree that’s what I deserve. We agree that I am a disgusting little man”. I find the short story incredibly funny as it cleverly satirises the internet’s ongoing obsession with goth girlfriends. Clark’s work consistently feels fresh and timely, effortlessly capturing the cultural zeitgeist.
The collection ends with ‘Company Man’, which is actually quite a devastating and bleak story in comparison to the others. ‘Company Man’ follows a woman living under a new identity, who is being pursued by a mysterious man. When she meets a man and starts to fall for him, she finds herself torn between “Dora,” her new persona, and “Martine,” the life she left behind. Adding to her struggles, she begins to suspect she isn’t the only one hiding her true self. Beyond the unsettling atmosphere of dread and distrust, there’s a deep sense of melancholy and regret in Martine/Dora that adds emotional depth to the story. In just a few pages, you get an incredibly strong sense of both characters, making the emotional payoff at the end even more devastating.
While this review touches on only a handful of the stories, rest assured that this collection is brimming with dark humour, unorthodoxy, exceptional writing, and more. Each story revolves around a shared theme: an insatiable hunger for something just out of reach – perfectly captured by the title. It’s a quick, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable read that leaves me eager to see what Eliza Clark will create next.
Words by Emily Fletcher
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