In Shine of the Ever, Claire Rudy Foster crafts a collection of short stories that hums with the spirit of the 90s in Portland — a city that pulses with grunge, queerness, and the vibrant tension between longing and belonging. Described by some as a “literary mixtape,” this book operates like a well-worn compilation of songs, each story carrying its distinct rhythm while contributing to a larger narrative of queer and trans experiences, love, heartbreak, and resilience.
Foster’s stories read like postcards from a Portlandian on the brink of transformation, a city not yet entirely consumed by the forces of gentrification but already feeling its tremors. The book is suffused with the quiet rebellion of the era — think punk-rock attitudes softened by moments of tenderness, all filtered through Foster’s lyrical and often wrenching prose. In its mix of intimacy and rawness, the Shine of the Ever moves fluidly between expressions of fierce independence and a quiet yearning for connection.
The collection’s title takes inspiration from the Pixies’ “Velouria,” the influence of ’90s alternative music runs through the collection like a bassline. This sonic backdrop informs the mood of the stories — from the loud-quiet dynamic of grunge music that shifts between defiant loudness and introspective silence, to the subversive energy of queer punk culture. In this context, Forster’s narrative style reflects the grit and grace of the characters who populate these stories.
Take, for instance, The Pixies, the opening story in which Foster’s collective narrator channels the uncontainable energy of a queer crowd reveling in their own space: a nightclub that serves as both sanctuary and stage for rebellion.
“Some of us look like punks and some don’t but we’re all wearing the costume of belonging. We’re not welcome in your church, you know. This club is our church and it’s loud, loud, loud. The voice of God is in the bass reverb and the lyrics’ rising incantation. You told us that we were as good as dead. You said we have that gay disease. You copy and steal from us; you never give credit. You’re desperate to catch whatever we’ve got…” — C.R. Foster, Shine of Ever
The narrator declares, a clear invocation of the power that music—and shared space—have to forge belonging. Yet, as much as these spaces offer belonging, they also reflect the persistent challenges of being on the margins of a city and a society that doesn’t always understand or embrace them.
Foster’s ability to create dimensional characters — many of whom are queer and trans, navigating various intersections of identity — elevates the collection. In Venus Conjunct Saturn, Angie, a trans woman, wrestles with the fear that her partner Kate will reject her when faced with the realities of her body and past. The story deftly oscillates between fear and hope, culminating in a tender moment of love and acceptance that stands out as one of the collection’s emotional high points. This is Foster at their best: capturing the intense vulnerability of human connection and the healing that love can provide when freely given and accepted.
While some of the stories, like Littermates, delve into topics of substance use and recovery, they do so with a nuance that eschews the simplistic tropes often associated with such narratives. Abby, the protagonist of Littermates, is a transgender person in recovery who contemplates adopting a puppy as a form of care for herself. The dog becomes a symbol of possibility — a life that could be different, softer, and free from the self-loathing that often shapes her thoughts. Foster’s exploration of addiction is neither maudlin nor romanticized; instead, it’s an honest look at the internal struggle for self-forgiveness and a new beginning.
One of the most striking qualities of Shine of the Ever is its refusal to offer tidy conclusions. Love and relationships in this collection are messy, often punctuated by missteps, misunderstandings, and moments of self-sabotage. In How to Be a Better Metamour, for example, Foster navigates the complex web of polyamorous relationships, exploring the delicate dance between connection and jealousy with a deft, empathetic touch. The collection doesn’t shy away from the reality that sometimes, growth means making mistakes and learning from them.
Portland itself is a character in these stories — a city that, like Foster’s protagonists, exists in a liminal space, constantly in flux. The backdrop of gentrification is present but not overpowering, serving as a reminder of the constant push and pull between old and new, community and displacement. Foster’s Portland is one where queerness and transness find both refuge and friction, where the familiar comforts of subculture stand alongside the pressures of societal conformity.
Ultimately, Shine of the Ever is a collection about survival — about surviving the fraught journey of identity, the painful mistakes of youth, and the shifting landscape of love and relationships. Foster writes with a keen awareness of the weight of their characters’ struggles but never loses sight of the joy and beauty that comes with queer resilience. Their prose can be at once sharp and poetic, creating a narrative style that mirrors the complexities of their characters’ inner lives.
For readers seeking stories that resonate with both emotional depth and cultural significance, Shine of the Ever offers a deeply affecting experience. With its blend of punk toughness and tender vulnerability, Claire Rudy Foster’s collection is not just a tribute to a specific time and place but a timeless exploration of what it means to be human, queer, and, above all, resilient. I give Shine of Ever by C.R. Foster 4.5 out of 5 sobees.
Addiction Fiction Sobees Score: 4.5 out of 5
COMING OUT SOBER: Here, you’ll find stories from our Sober Curator Contributors in the LGBTQ+ community about coming out, living sober and out loud. Let’s dive into the hilarious, heartbreaking, and everything-in-between moments of breaking free from booze and societal norms. Make sure to check out our LGBTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide as well!
TSC LIBRARY: Welcome to The Sober Curator Library! We don’t just read books; we immerse ourselves in literary journeys, tune in on Audible, and craft insightful reviews. Our digital shelves are organized into four genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, Self-Help, and NA Recipe Books.
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