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This Is How It Happens

Molly Aitken

Original publication

2026

Average rating

5.0

Total reads logged

1

Opening Excerpt

From the story

Everyone loves you here. Most days you are pretty sure of that. Everyone touches you all the time.

Story Vibe & Style Profile

Literary Dimensions
Emotional Weight 3.1 / 5

Bittersweet

Narrative Pacing 1.5 / 5

Contemplative

Literary Style 1.2 / 5

Direct & Minimalist

Speculative / Reality 2.3 / 5

Realistic / Mimetic

Readers

JF

Recent Reviews

JF
Jason Frye

8 months ago

A bit of an odd story told in the second person. But it was poetic and lovely too. Enjoyed it more than I would expect of a story of this nature.

Appearances

The New Yorker February 9, 2026
Read Online

About the Author

Discussion

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