Sanrevelle

The Forgetters

by Dave Eggers

The seventh short novella or long short story in Dave Eggers's The Forgetters series.

Winner of a 2025 O. Henry Award

A man named Rub, not too young and not too old, lives in a sinking skyscraper and works for a personal-injury lawyer who's slowly losing his mind. Every day Rub stares out at the tiny boats on the San Francisco Bay, wanting to be there and not filing paperwork for a cloistered madman. Finally Rub goes to a rickety dock by the sea, seeking sailing lessons. He meets the singular Sanravelle, a barefoot captain, who leads him out of the blight and into a life of speed and cold and light.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

44 pages, Hardcover

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Dave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5) Finished in a short amount of time this afternoon, this is the 7th short story (or novella) of 'The Forgetters' series which Eggers has had published by McSweeney's over the last couple years. I read some of his early works years ago and enjoyed them and on a recent visit to my local library I saw this on the new book shelf and thought I'd give it a try.

Would I recommend it? Not necessarily as it truly is just a short story published by itself. I personally think it's only a cash-grab from both McSweeney's and Eggers and pretty average at best. I wouldn't be surprised if all of these are eventually bound up in a 'The Forgetters' compendium for the same reason.

What I got from it is basically a guy has insecurity his whole life and all of a sudden he finally stands up for himself and achieves what he wants or gets what he feels he deserves.

Somewhat entertaining if you need to pass some time.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one felt like there was more that needed to be explored. Still, the characters are interesting and the themes strong for such a short story.

[Stacey ˗ ღ ˎˊ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

I own a few Eggers books but this is the first one I’ve read, and it makes me happy I purchased. Masterful prose in the style I enjoy, an aesthetic that appeals to me (sailing life) and a dichotomy of midlife which I understand well. This is a short story that resolves neatly with a touch of humor and romance, number 7 of The Forgetters series published by McSweeney’s. I look forward to enjoying the first six.

In response to those who have shared their thoughts that separating these stories for publication is some sort of cash-grab, I direct the reader to the final page of the book: ”Author proceeds from this book go to McSweeney’s Literary Arts Fund, helping to ensure the survival of nonprofit independent publishing.” Also please note the nature of McSweeney’s published works, particularly those for new authors, young readers and the series of 20th century literature by Black American authors entitled “Of the Diaspora”.

[Sharlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 a round up because the ending really landed for me.

[Akshee · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a nice short story, i lowkey wish it was longer lol but i liked the way the main character is stuck in a dreary, decaying existence and finds something to keep going lol

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a lot to these books - almost shorter than a short story - but always a pleasure. A simple story that hints at more life outside of it for its few characters.

[Tressa]

Well, it was a Christmas story. I think. Whistler was interesting and actually pretty believable. I will admit to using this book to get to my reading goal. It was entertaining for that purpose.

[Hannah Goldbach]

Short story (?) that I wish had been longer. Characters felt a bit distant, which I haven’t felt with his other books.

Readathon book 3!

[Gonzalo Bedia Diaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sanrevelle is a short book (44 pages) that follows Hop, a man stuck in an unfulfilling job in the San Francisco area, looking after a once-thriving company’s empty building. His life feels stagnant and devoid of purpose—until he decides to take sailing lessons.

That’s where he meets his instructor, Sanrevelle, a free-spirited woman whose beauty, personality, and uniqueness quickly captivate him. Hop becomes fascinated, perhaps even in love, as she reveals her adventurous plans to sail to the Sea of Cortez and invites him to join. Before that journey, they plan to meet during a festive boat parade, where Hop’s determination to find her sets the stage for the story’s central pursuit.

While the plot itself is not especially deep, the real strength of this book lies in its characters—particularly in the contrast between Hop’s quiet dissatisfaction and Sanrevelle’s vibrant, magnetic presence. At just under an hour’s read, it’s a brief but engaging story that leaves its impression through character and atmosphere rather than complexity.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another middle-aged man alone in this series of chapters from a work-in-progress called The Forgetters. The man, named Hop, late 30s, works for a failing law firm and lives in the sinking building the firm is housed in (San Francisco’s Millennium Building). As a change of pace, he takes up sailing lessons from a woman named Sanrevelle, also single but a few years older. Together, as student and teacher, their exchanges are terse but effective. Silently, they size each other up until, just before Christmas—again in this series!—and having realized he’s fallen in love, Hop searches the pier and bay front where she had agreed to meet him to watch a parade of boats adorned in holiday lights. Unable to find her on land or shore, he realizes that he’s been kidding himself, seeing what he wanted to see. But this is a Christmas miracle story, right?

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super short story. Read it in less than 30 minutes. By the author of The Circle which I liked a lot. This is one of 7 unrelated stories which the author plans to put together into a book. This one is about a man who is feeling a bit lost in the world and takes sailing lessons from the title character. The characters are interesting, but it's almost too short. And I was more interested in a side character (his boss) and that storyline.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this little book up on a whim at the Library and found it to be a bit strange. Hop, who lives in the deserted office where he once worked and now just exists, seeks out a woman sailing instructor he has fallen for during a holiday lighted boat parade. Hop seems hapless and the story reads like a fable I guess, but I am not sure what the point was. Very short and easy to read but not sure I liked it. Still, as one book out of seven in a series, I might try another if I see it just to maybe understand what the author intends.

[Philiprafferty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short story about a middle aged man trying to find himself in SF amongst those also trying to find themselves.

Strong sense of place. The use of descriptions of other to give us a sense of the main character in comparison is well done.

The final scene is good with an ending a bit too saccharin for this to be a great story.

A lot of good clean writing here, as Eggers is best as a straight ahead storyteller. Nice excursion for 30 mins.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published as a very short book, this is an engaging story in which you can tell that every word was carefully chosen. Yes, it could have been expanded into something longer, but it is oddly charming just as it is.

The front matter refers to the story as having been previously published in slightly shorter form, which likely explains why the main character’s name is Hop, not Rub (as the Goodreads description says) and the title character is Sanrevelle rather than Sanravelle.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a class I teach in contemporary short fiction. I cannot get it out of my mind. Eggers' style is so smooth (as always) and I feel as if I am reading something that really happened. The protagonist is disaffected and lost and finds his way by leaning into the lost. Isn't that how life works?

[Sequella Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read probably best in one setting for better flow. This one left me wanting to know more about Hop and Sanrevelle (and Tyler). Hopefully when the seven stories are put together I’ll want to read it.

Eggers does make one ponder life, circumstances and people.

[Neeraj Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am probably the perfect audience for this short story about a middle aged legal professional looking for meaning and direction. its published in the 2025 best american short stories anthology and is a quick but deep read.

[a.rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

as my coworker’s note on this said, “it’s hardcover so it counts as a book, right?” clearly i’m a little desperate to finish my reading challenge…but this short story was a fun concept! a little desolate and easily could’ve been longer.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough but not memorable. I spent a lot of time wondering if anyone would spend $16 for 44 pages.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick novella

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delicious, very enjoyable.

[Tamra Greenya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little short story.
Don’t be afraid to take that leap, or that canoe ride in the dark with no lights and no life vest and no set destination point lol

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky and charming

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story, Eggers finds the glory of life lived on the water and the magic of a little-known boat light parade. I was swept up in this story.

[Bracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Jeremy]

A lovely gift from my wife Melanie, for Christmas.

[Carol Stoico · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the Forgetters series. Short story 45 pages

[Jen Lacroix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but extremely observant character description.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet short story!