Eleven of the stories are new and unpublished and eight were originally published in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, or Granta.

[9] In the January/February 2020 issue of Bookmarks, the book received a rating of 3.0 out of 5 with the critical summary saying, "Smith's first short fiction collection showcases the ample strengths--elegant writing, compelling characters, quirky plots--that have earned her novels many accolades".

[13] Publishers Weekly called the collection "smart and bewitching" and said, "Smith exercises her range without losing her wry, slightly cynical humor.

"[6] David L. Ulin of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "Smith is at her finest" in Grand Union and praised the collection's "balance between humor and self-laceration.

"[15] Alice O'Keeffe, writing for The Bookseller, said, "The first ever collection of short stories from the wonderful Zadie Smith is surely a must-read for her many fans.