"Baster" is a short story by American author Jeffrey Eugenides, first published in the August 5, 1996 issue of The New Yorker. The story explores themes of fertility, friendship, and the complexities of modern relationships through a darkly comic premise. Its central conflict arises when a single woman, Kassie, decides to have a child via artificial insemination using a sperm donor, and her longtime best friend, Wally, secretly substitutes his own sperm for the donor's sample.
Eugenides, who later won a Pulitzer Prize for his novel Middlesex, wrote "Baster" during a period when his short fiction was gaining recognition. The story is characteristic of his work in its blend of sharp observation, emotional depth, and unexpected twists. It sparked discussions about reproductive choice and male friendship, and its title—a play on the word "bastard"—reflects the story's wry tone. "Baster" remains one of Eugenides's most frequently anthologized short stories and has been praised for its tight construction and psychological insight.
