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holly_117's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars This book was a little uneven for me. I liked some of the stories, but others just irritated me. The ones that bugged me involved characters that did things like expecting the people in their lives to be mind-readers. If you want something or if you have a problem, you have to talk to people, you can't just act pathetic and wait for them to figure it out.
The good stories really got to the heart of things and described the complexities of loss and love in moving ways. So overall, it's worth reading - not all of the stories are winners, but there's enough good to keep you interested.
The good stories really got to the heart of things and described the complexities of loss and love in moving ways. So overall, it's worth reading - not all of the stories are winners, but there's enough good to keep you interested.
jessicafacchinigould's review
2.0
Unfortunately, this book didn’t do it for me. I tend to find that unless someone is a true master of short stories, short story collections can be disappointing or underwhelming. I really only enjoyed the stories The Guide and Harriet Elliot. I found myself skimming most of the stories and I wasn’t really captivated.
lady_beard_heather's review
5.0
Such realistic and honest slices of life, each exploring hard topics. And each making you think about all the transitions you've lived through and those yet to come. Be ready to feel and question and probably cry.
tiffanychan's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a masterful collection of short stories. Every character feels vivid and believable. The writing is so tender and poetic, like an artist painting their loved ones in the softest strokes.
dnauvrg's review against another edition
3.0
The first time I read this I made the mistake of trying to read all of it in one go. It was a bad approach, I was bored with it. It's wrong to read this collection too quickly. All the stories are full of quiet, gentle melancholic aches and Black's writing requires space and room for breath and reflection. I didn't connect to everything but of the 10 stories featured none of them are clunkers, and the best ones are just exquisite and staggering.
My favorites: Harriot Elliot, A History of the World
My favorites: Harriot Elliot, A History of the World
cansail's review against another edition
5.0
A simply fantastic collection of short stories, all of which read like very short novels. I was inspired by how much meaning could be conveyed in just a few pages.
kelseyreedx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
emmastia's review
4.0
A terrific short story collection - diverse but powerful - most stories deal with love and loss.
emdash8212's review
So far, so good. The title story has a very interesting perspective--it's basically told in the subjunctive voice, which means that for the first part of the story, the reader's not sure if the narrator is setting up an elaborate hypothetical, or if she's relating her real life but not owning it for some reason.
Robin Black's writing really does remind me of Lorrie Moore at her best, so if you like her work, definitely check this one out.
Robin Black's writing really does remind me of Lorrie Moore at her best, so if you like her work, definitely check this one out.