The Sublimation of the Self (philosophical post title) (short story review)

 

In 2026 so far, I have read an average of 0.75 short stories per month. That number is (hopefully) about to increase a heck ton for reasons I might explain later. 

 

This month's short story was Homecoming is Just Another Word for the Sublimation of the Self by Isabel J. Kim. I like Kim's work; I think she's written some good stuff. The hallmarks of her style (based on the four stories I've read) are wacky world-building, a nostalgic tone, second person perspective, fourth-wall breakage, dry humor, and a lot of asides. I've recommended a few of her stories to friends, but alas nobody ever reads them. This story (which I will call HIJAWFTSOTS, what a mouthful omg) was her debut. 

 

A lot of speculative fiction magazines publish their stories for free online, including this one. HIJAWFTSOTS was published by Clarkesworld Magazine. Clarkesworld also puts out a podcast, if you're not really into using your eyes. 

 

The reason I picked up this random 2021 short story from Kim's backlist: she's turning it into a novel this year called Sublimation. I hope Tor sends her on a book tour; I'll attend. But maybe I should actually stop impulse-purchasing tickets to events, because the May calendar is filling up already (and I'm "moving" 😵‍💫). Sublimation only comes out in June, though. It'll be fine. 

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In my opinion, most stories (but especially short stories) are best read without knowing much at all. But if you must have a basic premise: immigration across borders makes you split into two. One instance moves on and another identical version is left behind. 

 

Okay, that's enough context. Here's the review:

 

Homecoming is Just Another Word for the Sublimation of the Self by Isabel J. Kim

Publisher: Clarkesworld Magazine 

 

This is a very good short story with a neat concept, but I don't feel as attached to it as some of IJK's other work. She does a great job of describing a very true to life immigrant experience, but I feel like she focuses a little too much on the way it echoes our world and not enough on the differences. 

 

This doesn't have the wacky world-building I love in Freediver and Day Ten Thousand. The concept is much more tied to modern-day reality, which makes the ever-present nostalgia in these works hit even harder. Very excited to see what Kim can do in full-length novel format. 

 

Read: April 22, 2026

Rating: ★★★★½ / 5

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My Isabel J. Kim short story ranking (definitive correct opinion):

 

1. Day Ten Thousand (Clarkesworld)
2. Freediver (Reactor)
3. Homecoming is Just Another Word for the Sublimation of the Self 😮‍💨 (Clarkesworld)
4. Why Don't We Just Kill the Kid in the Omelas Hole (Clarkesworld)

 

The first short story of hers that I read was #4 on the above list: Omelas Hole is what I will call it (some of these titles could be Panic at the Disco songs). I read it because it was nominated for a 2025 Hugo Award. The 2026 nominees are out now! More on this in the future. 

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On Monday, I saw Joe Abercrombie and Scott Lynch pretend to be rivals on stage at Coolidge Corner Theater. It was a good event, and I'm glad I got tickets before they sold out. They talked a lot about Lonesome Dove and westerns. I got three books signed by Joe. I asked for a western (movie) recommendation, and he mentioned Unforgiven, which I will plan to watch before reading Red Country (the book is dedicated to Clint Eastwood after all). I regret not purchasing The Lies of Locke Lamora now, because Scott Lynch seems like a cool guy.  

 

Joe Abercrombie described his books as "incompetence porn", and I thought that was good. He's British, and that's good too. If you want some context on who Joe Abercrombie is: he writes really dark fantasy books about bad people that are sometimes trying to do the right thing. Very talented character writer, but not really into world-building. I also wouldn't describe him as much of a plot guy. He writes individual scenes really really well, but the books can be slow and meandering, though the payoff often is decent. There's a lot of good dramatic irony and dry humor. WOULD NOT recommend gifting one of his books to a 15 year old girl unless they've expressed interested in long fantasy books and seem cool with torture? I guess none of us are cool with torture, really. So maybe it's fine. 

I picked up a traffic cone on Monday as well. Made me feel like a BU student. Wish I was brave enough to take it home with me. 10/10 night in Brookline.  

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I mailed a package over the weekend and spent way too much money on shipping. (Maybe obvious) advice from Pratima: stuff whatever you are shipping into the smallest container possible. You're welcome.  

 

I'm in the middle of too many books at the moment. I had started The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook (Dungeon Crawler Carl #3), but then the Hugo list dropped and I made a big pivot.