Survival & Other Surprises explores chronic illness in a burning world and the slow process of unloving those who hurt us.

Divided into three parts (Surviving You, Surviving Me, Surviving as an Act of Rebellion), Casper E. Falls's debut collection is a tale of grief, loss, and queer love in spite of it all.

It tackles becoming disabled during the pandemic, gaslighting and emotional abandonment, and the dichotomy of disillusionment versus hope. In visceral yet grounded imagery, Falls breaks up with loved ones, womanhood, a healthy body, and the American Dream.

I put lotion on my knuckles

is there another way

to make the world softer

—GRWM: Dystopian Edition