The Weight of a Human Heart: Stories

“If someone asked me to name my ideal collection of contemporary short fiction, I'd point to The Weight of a Human Heart and say, ‘This is it.'” —Wiley Cash, New York Times–bestselling author

Ranging from Australia and Africa to Europe and Asia and back again, The Weight of a Human Heart heralds a fresh and important new voice in fiction. Ryan O'Neill takes us on a journey that is sometimes comic, sometimes tragic, and wholly original.

A young Tutsi girl flees her village on the brink of the Rwandan genocide. A literary duel—and an affair—play out in the book review section of a national newspaper. A young girl learns her mother's disturbing secrets through the broken key on a typewriter.

With imagination, wit, and a keen eye, Ryan O'Neill draws the essence of the human experience with a cast of characters who stick with you long after you turn the last page of this brilliant short story collection.

“You will be astounded by the hugeness of his heart, and by the breadth and depth of his vision. O'Neill is a writer of limitless imagination.” —Héctor Tobar, New York Times–bestselling author

“Daring, intelligent, witty, full of new discoveries and exhilarations.” ―The Guardian (UK)

“The singular mix of humor, intelligence, and global awareness sets this impressive collection apart from the crowd.” ―Library Journal (starred review)

“Vital storytelling and literary flourishes distinguish Scottish author O'Neill's creative story collection . . . there's also sex, clever narration, and illustrative graphics that add wit and whimsy.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

© 2025 St. Martin's Press (E-bog): 9781250025005

Release date

E-bog: 16. april 2025