Rainbow Rainbow: Stories by Lydia Conklin

 With a title like that you go in expecting all the colors of the rainbow umbrella and you get mostly two, the lesbian and the trans. But a lot of it and in a lot of different configurations, different ages, etc.
This collection begins so strongly, the first story is absolutely terrific, and after that the quality is somewhat uneven, getting back to the initial level maybe twice or so. But then again, I may be biased, I found some of the stories more relatable and/or compelling than others. I suppose, those interested in specifically trans-related fiction and specifically of a younger age group, would have a different take on the book.
At any case, the author’s talent definitely blazes through; there’s a certain organic storytelling quality to it that denotes a genuinely gifted emotionally engaging writing. These stories come alive in that very specific way. They also tend to be complete, not just mere slices of life, with a proper arc and plot, which I enjoy in short fiction. Each one features a pivotal moment in its characters’ lives, something that’ll define or transform them in some way.
Overall, I liked this collection and not just from a diverse reading perspective, but as an interesting, well written and emotive work of literature. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.