Reading Well: Lot by Bryan Washington

I first read a chapter of Lot (2019) in the New Yorker, and was struck by the way it portrayed dimensions of Houston that are neither commonly represented nor part of the emergent picture of Houston as a 21st century exemplar of diversity and progress, funded by the 20th century energy boom.

Instead, Bryan Washington lays out, in a series of 13 short stories with somewhat overlapping storylines and characters, a view of Houston from the perspectives of those being forced out of historically underserved neighborhoods by waves of gentrification, of those disowned by their families for their sexual orientation, of those struggling in the wake of the city’s growth.

The characters are compelling, and presented with enough depth to generate empathy in the reader as they work to navigate the challenges in their lives.

It’s a good collection, and if you have any affection for Houston, recognizing landmarks and events will add to your enjoyment. I’m certainly intrigued by what Washington does next.

#WhatIWishICouldDo

I love the way the characters continue across many of the stories, but without a need to be explicitly recognized. Each story–or almost each story–can be seen as a standalone segment, or they can be read together to form a broader fabric. It’s an impressive handling of a common situation.