Fame, big dreams, and dark comedy in Sydney Rende’s I Could Be Famous

💡 In American writer Sydney Rende’s debut short story collection I Could Be Famous: Stories, the fantasy of fame takes center stage as a cast of desperately fame-hungry, self-absorbed characters lays bare the absurdity of modern celebrity culture, all set against a heightened version of contemporary LA. From the mundane to the outrageous, Rende delivers a biting, darkly comic, and satisfyingly exaggerated portrait of the spectacle of trying to make it big.

What to expect: Across 11 short stories, each no longer than 30 pages, Rende weaves a loosely interconnected storyline led by a rotating group of different female narrators. Threaded throughout the collection is the presence of fictional actor and celebrity Arlo Banks, a character who appears to be loosely inspired by Armie Hammer, tormented by increasingly ridiculous cannibalism rumors. From social media popularity to reality TV clout, some stories will leave you genuinely stunned, while others lean into hyperbole and satire to expose the more subtle anxieties of living such a life. The abrupt endings won’t be for everyone — but they absolutely worked for us.

What we liked: Desperate and disturbingly honest, Rende’s characters expose the brutal pursuit of recognition, equally self-induced and driven by societal pressure. The characters and their stories felt strangely relatable — the overthinking, the common relationship tensions, and the all-so-familiar self-related troubles. It was all unnervingly vulnerable, with candid narrators that often felt easy to root for and sometimes, even more unnervingly, easy to question. Rende’s storytelling is brisk and addictive, striking the perfect balance between wild plots, sharp dialogue, and painfully honest introspection.

The verdict: Rende’s I Could Be Famous is ideal for the in-between moments: immersive enough to keep you hooked, yet light enough to make for a short, thrilling escape. If you’re looking for a fast-paced collection that leans into the darkly absurd while poking fun at the frivolities of celebrity culture, it’s well worth adding to your summer reading list.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can find the eBook on Kindle and Kobo.