Shell Game

In Rumaan Alam's incisive short story "Shell Game," part of the collection Getaway, a family vacation on Cape Cod becomes a catalyst for unsettling revelations in Mark's seemingly content life. As he grapples with the dynamics of his abrasive brother-in-law and unhappy sister-in-law, Mark begins to question the foundations of his happiness and the realities of his family. This thought-provoking tale explores the complexities of relationships and self-perception within a narrative that can be enjoyed in a single sitting.