Review: Winter Breakage

Winter Breakage by David Levithan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

David Levithan’s Winter Breakage is a tender, compact coming‑of‑age short story that captures the awkwardness of friendship, identity, and belonging during a single winter afternoon in New York City. At just 36 pages, this short story manages to feel both intimate and expansive, following Eric, a college freshman, through a day in New York with his dormmates. The story explores visibility and invisibility in friendships, the anxiety of being the “new one” in a group, and the courage it takes to reveal your true self. The prose is gentle yet piercing, balancing the quiet ache of isolation with the warmth of unexpected connection.

I found Eric’s inner voice relatable. It captured the insecurity of wondering whether you’re truly wanted in a group. The dormmates, though sketched briefly, reveal surprising layers as the day unfolds, reminding us that everyone carries hidden vulnerabilities. Loved how the backdrop of New York City is utilized; it mirrors Eric’s feelings of being both overwhelmed and exhilarated. The bustling streets amplify his sense of invisibility, while small moments of honesty between friends carve out space for belonging.

Though short, the story lingers. Winter Breakage leaves you reflecting on your own friendships and the times you’ve felt both seen and unseen.

Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5/5⭐️.

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