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Tell Me What You See (2022 book)

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Tell Me What You See
AuthorTerena Elizabeth Bell
LanguageEnglish
GenreExperimental literature
PublishedDec 8, 2022
PublisherWhiskey Tit
Publication placeUnited States
Pages143
ISBN9781952600227

Tell Me What You See is a short fiction collection written by Terena Elizabeth Bell. The book is Bell's first[1][2][3] and was published on December 8, 2022, by Whisk(e)y Tit,[4] a Brooklyn-based literary press. It contains ten short stories[5] of multiple genres.[6] The title story, "Tell Me What You See," is a 2021 New York Foundation for the Arts City Artist Corps winner[7] and the first fiction published about the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.[4][3] Other stories are about climate change,[8] early COVID-19 pandemics in New York City[2] and Kentucky,[9][10] and other 2020–2021 events.[11]

The stories from Tell Me What You See are largely experimental in nature.[12][11][13][14] Many incorporate news photographs and original drawings from both the pandemic and Capitol events.[15][16] Others make use of footnotes,[17][3] multiple languages,[18][19] hypnotic syntax,[20] and the literary technique of erasure.[21][22]

Critical reception

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Rachel Lutwick-Deaner of the Southern Review of Books at the Queen's University of Charlotte wrote, "Readers will easily compare Bell with many greats of our time" and "Bell’s collection is not only a testament to what a fine author can do with a difficult time in history, but it is a work that transcends time and circumstance."[16] Jordan McQueen of Atticus Review wrote, "The places where the gimmicks transcend to become genuinely innovative tools...make the collection well worth the cost of admission in my view."[22]

On his KPFK show "Bibliocracy," Santa Monica Review editor Andrew Tonkovich said the book's "exciting embrace of nearly every available form both challenges the expectation of story and fully engages its opportunities, demands and, lately, urgent requirements."[23]

Critic Samantha Ryan of Pine Hills Review agreed with Tonkovich's view, writing, "These stories are demanding. They confront the reader with the weight of past loss and the fear of an unknown future," adding that "despite their challenging nature, the pieces were deeply therapeutic."[20]

Karla Strand of Ms. listed it in her "December 2022 Reads for the Rest of Us", and described the stories as "unique and potent," adding "its varying formats eerily illustrate the look and feel of our times."[4] In the United Kingdom, publishing industry magazine The Bookseller included the title in its December 2022 "Discover" preview selections.[24][verification needed]

In September 2024, the New York Society Library listed Tell Me What You See as one of the "Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far)," alongside titles by Neil Gaiman, Alice Hoffman, Colm Tóibín, and others.[25]

References

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  1. ^ Sova, Deeanna (December 1, 2022). "Media Release" (PDF). Hopkinsville Christian County Public Library (Press release). Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
  2. ^ a b Novick, Nancy (December 20, 2022). "Neighbors Who Write – 2022 Edition". West Side Rag. New York City. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Fitzgerald, Dave (January 16, 2023). "Dave Fitzgerald Reviews Terena Elizabeth Bell's Story Collection Tell Me What You See". Heavy Feather Review. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Strand, Karla J. (December 6, 2022). "December 2022 Reads for the Rest of Us". Ms. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Rothman, Melissa. "UofL Libraries: Earth Day 2023: New and Noteworthy". library.louisville.edu. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  6. ^ ITW (November 30, 2022). "Tell Me What You See by Terena Elizabeth Bell". THE BIG THRILL. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  7. ^ Torian, Jazmine. "Author to be featured at Christmas Tea". Kentucky New Era. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  8. ^ "Arts & Climate Mosaic". Arts Link Magazine. Americans for the Arts. December 1, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Parton, Chea (January 18, 2023). "Tell Me What You See by Terena Elizabeth Bell | Episode 2". Dr. Parton's Literacy in Place. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Boggs, Jerry (December 15, 2024). "Terena Bell demonstrates the weight of words with debut collection". www.centre.edu. Centrepiece. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Terena Elizabeth Bell (September 30, 2022). "'Tell Me What You See:' An Interview with Author Terena Elizabeth Bell". A Good Book to End the Day (Interview). Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  12. ^ Terena Elizabeth Bell (December 21, 2022). "Ep. 441: Experimental Story Collections – Terena Elizabeth Bell". DIY MFA (Interview). Interviewed by Gabriela Pereira. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  13. ^ Brown, Jennifer P. (December 16, 2022). "Sinking Fork native returns home to promote debut short story collection". Hoptown Chronicle. Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  14. ^ Cerézo, Arvyn (June 13, 2023). "Will AI Threaten Publishing Jobs?". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Alexander, Constance. "Terena Bell compels readers to focus with latest work 'Tell Me What You See'". Northern Kentucky Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Lutwick-Deaner, Rachel (January 20, 2023). ""Tell Me What You See" Is A Timeless Collection About Unprecedented Times". Southern Review of Books. Queen's University of Charlotte. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  17. ^ "Terena Elizabeth Bell's Playlist for Her Story Collection 'Tell Me What You See'". largeheartedboy.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  18. ^ "Largehearted Boy: Terena Elizabeth Bell's Playlist for Her Story Collection "Tell Me What You See"". largeheartedboy.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  19. ^ "Terena Elizabeth Bell". Authors Answer. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Ryan, Samantha (June 28, 2023). ""When I woke up, I thought 'that's a story'": An Interview with Terena Elizabeth Bell". Pine Hills Review. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "VOX VOMITUS with Terena Bell, author of TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE" (Interview). Interviewed by Gordon, Jennifer Anne; Martine, Allison. Authors on the Air. December 7, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ a b McQueen, Jordan (November 7, 2022). "Review of TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE by Terena Elizabeth Bell". Atticus Review. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  23. ^ "Terena Elizabeth Bell on Tell Me What You See". Bibliocracy Radio. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  24. ^ "The Bookseller – Preview Comments – December 2022: Discover Previews". The Bookseller. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  25. ^ "More Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far) | The New York Society Library". www.nysoclib.org. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
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