Z. Z. Packer

Award-winning writer ZZ Packer shows an impressive range and command of language in her debut story collection. She surprises and dazzles us with unexpected turns and indelible images as she takes us into the lives of characters on the periphery, unsure of where they belong. We meet a Brownie troop of black girls who are confronted with a troop of white girls; a young man who goes with his father to the Million Man March and must decide where his allegiance lies; an international group of drifters in Japan, who are unable to find work; a girl in a Baltimore ghetto who has dreams of the larger world she has seen only on the screens in the television store nearby, where the Lithuanian shopkeeper holds out hope for attaining his own American Dream. Drinking Coffee Elsewhere is a striking performance—fresh, versatile, and captivating. It introduces an arresting and unforgettable new voice.

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

ZZ Packer

Presents a collection of eight short stories that touch on the subject of race and race relations.

Chiyeung lau

baelgia

I've only read the short story by the same title, not the whole book, but oh god, that is good. It's the best thing I've read in a while. 

- Nov 2014

Read the whole thing Dec 2015. Didn't think it was as novel.

Drinking coffee elsewhere

Melody Izard

Each one of these stories contains a feisty, mouthy young woman who may not always do the RIGHT thing – but she doesn’t sit idle either. The stories are filled with keen, delightful observations such as: 

”By the time Tia wove through the clusters of church members, Sister Gwendolyn and Tia’s aunt Roberta were already talking about her. Sister Gwendolyn wore a hat that looked like a strawberry birthday cake. Roberta’s hat was dove-gray, sleek as an airplane. At each angry quake of Sister Gwendolyn’s curls, Tia’s aunt Roberta furrowed her brow deeply, shook her head heartily, held her Bible so tight against her chest one might think it could ward off a heart attack.

	Tia watched their hats drift away from each other. She knew what they were thinking: Tia did not Believe, thus Tia Laughed in her Heart, thus Tia was not able to Speak in Tongues. Their thoughts headed toward the same conclusion as tiny ants march toward the same mammoth crumb of bread. “

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

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