Early Review for The Kindness of Terrible People

Over the course of 15 short stories, Dupal showcases dynamic, daring characters unafraid to explore the darkest parts of themselves.

These tales take place in a wide range of settings, from Hollywood’s Golden Age to the earliest days of the Covid-19 pandemic to 18th-century France and beyond. A woman embarks on a dangerous hike despite warnings of a storm in ‘Over the Mountain Steep.’ In ‘A Baby of the Ganges,’ a grieving mother, abroad and struggling to reconnect with her partner, regrets and reneges on a choice which might have helped her. In the collection’s title story, a retired university professor imagines seducing the man whom

her niece has recently started dating while unveiling his own seedy history, while the opening tale, ‘To Lie Engulfed in the Waves of the Sea,’ introduces a woman who, after a debilitating accident, is forced to lie in order to get a job, where she continues to lie in order to help someone with a secret wish. In another story, ‘Olympic Hopeful, 19, Dies After Winning U.S. Figure Skating Championships,’ two adopted sisters must rely on each other, due to their mother’s neglect.

Throughout, Dupal convincingly paints distinct character portraits and evokes vastly different time periods and locales. Still, her lyrical prose provides an identifiable signature across the entire work, inviting readers to languish in the language: Cello strings are ‘alive and wanting’; a necklace charm covered in candle drippings is ‘blemished with the pearly wax of a benign ritual.’ Certain beats may feel familiar, as when a judgmental, disgruntled older woman softens, due to the childish exploits of a young boy with whom she shares a train car, or when a young couple is forced to reconcile with their various hang-ups while staring down parenthood. Overall, though, Dupal’s acute attention to detail often gives way to glimmering insights.

A well-polished and enjoyable first set, demonstrating impressive range and focus.

—Kirkus Reviews

Published October 17, 2025