Today's Read Contributor J.B. Hwang’s debut novel, Mendell Station, published by Bloomsbury on July 22, 2025, has received early acclaim for its lyrical and immersive exploration of grief, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit. Spotlighted by AP News on July 20, the novel resonates with readers and critics alike, earning praise for its emotional depth and striking prose.
The story centers on Miriam, a Korean-American postal worker living in San Francisco, whose world is shattered when her close friend Esther dies under mysterious circumstances during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than unraveling the mystery behind Esther’s death, Hwang delves deeply into Miriam’s emotional landscape—capturing her solitude, the rhythmic solace of her postal route, and the unspoken bond she shared with Esther.
Set in January 2020, Mendell Station situates Miriam at a crossroads. After quitting her job teaching at a Christian high school—following a crisis of faith triggered by Esther’s death—she joins the postal service. Working as an “essential” mail carrier during lockdown introduces a stark contrast between Miriam’s internal grief and the external, often mundane routines she navigates daily. The physicality of her job—hills, stairs, repetitive deliveries—mirrors her emotional journey, underscoring how routine labor can become a refuge and a form of ritual grief.
What truly distinguishes the novel is Hwang’s use of lyrical, sensory prose. Several critics have noted how short, evocative passages—reminiscent of diary entries or unsent letters—immerse readers in Miriam’s mind. In these moments, Miriam writes to Esther, processing guilt, longing, and the breakdown of her once-solid faith: “The love I had for Esther distended and became a fluid that filled my skull… My skeleton felt ripped out of my body…” Critics and readers alike describe these scenes as emotionally unfiltered, drawing them into the core of her grief.
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Miriam is a richly drawn, fully realized character. The dual lens of her Korean-American identity and working-class reality gives the story both intimate specificity and universal emotional resonance. Set against a backdrop of pandemic uncertainty and spiritual upheaval, Mendell Station tackles big themes—friendship, faith, cultural belonging, labor, and the ethics of surviving—but never loses sight of its profound emotional center: the bond between two women navigating precarity and connection.
The novel has garnered strong endorsements from major review outlets. Publishers Weekly commended Hwang for crafting “glimmering insights into the nature of grief” and described the narrative as “striking and understated.” Brian Tanguay of The California Review of Books praised its honest portrayal of working-class life and the tender friendship at its heart. Broad Street Review emphasized the novel’s “tender exploration of grief firmly seated in a gritty and realistic portrayal of working-class life, centered on the power and importance of female friendship.”
Readers also appreciate how Hwang honors the unsung labor of essential workers. Miriam’s postal route, with its steep hills and endless packages, becomes a grounding mechanism in her grief. The companionship of immigrant coworkers—who understand daily grind and solidarity—becomes a subtle yet powerful support system, reflecting the novel’s attention to community and the dignity of ordinary life.
Beyond its literary strengths, Mendell Station arrives at a culturally significant moment. As societies continue to grapple with the emotional and collective wounds of the COVID-19 era, stories like Miriam’s offer meaningful reflection. They remind us how grief is not a discrete event but an ongoing experience shaped by routine, symbolism, and sometimes silent solidarity.
At just under 208 pages, Hwang’s first novel is remarkably assured; reviewers note that every sentence feels deliberate, polished, and emotionally accurate. For a debut, it balances restraint with resonance, described as mesmerizing, striking, and a work of quiet genius.
In sum, Mendell Station confirms J.B. Hwang as a powerful new voice in contemporary literature. By weaving poetic introspection with earned depictions of labor and identity, the novel offers an intimate study of loss and the quiet courage required to keep living. It invites readers to contemplate how everyday rituals can anchor us while we carry love and memory forward—and how friendship, even after death, shapes who we become.
This debut is an essential summer read for anyone drawn to stories of emotional honesty, cultural nuance, and the transcendent beauty found in ordinary lives.
