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clarkness's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
If you're into neurotic east coast characters overthinking their relationships, this collection will appeal. "Boston Common at twilight" and "the language of cats and dogs" were the only stories that hung with me. everything else felt over wrought and humorless.
altryhorn2's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall it was a really solid collection of short stories, however there was not much flow from one story to the other. I don't know whether the author did that on purpose or not, but keep that in mind when you read the collection.
alahnajeane's review against another edition
4.0
This book is of intense variety and uniqueness. The ten short stories inside each contain completely different characters and situations, all with similar style and themes. Susan Minot displays the deep interests of the monotonous world. The real world. I commend her on this ability. I thoroughly enjoyed each story and am set on rereading it once all of the dust has settled.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the books:
"A patch of warmth spreads below my collarbones, surprising me. I didn't know I had even been cold." Page 100
"You write if without it you would die." Page 76
"She felt ashamed, the shame one feels at not having done a sufficient job of looking after the one person you're supposed to keep track of: yourself." Page 146
"Daisy backed away from them, feeling suddenly transparent like a flame in sunlight." Page 22
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the books:
"A patch of warmth spreads below my collarbones, surprising me. I didn't know I had even been cold." Page 100
"You write if without it you would die." Page 76
"She felt ashamed, the shame one feels at not having done a sufficient job of looking after the one person you're supposed to keep track of: yourself." Page 146
"Daisy backed away from them, feeling suddenly transparent like a flame in sunlight." Page 22
lola425's review against another edition
3.0
Solid collection from Minot. Liked some of the more non-traditional stories a lot.
cmacso's review against another edition
5.0
I quite liked these stories. They dissect human emotions and relationships. There is one that stopped in my tracks - an older woman is on her deathbed (perhaps with dementia or Alzheimer’s) and her husband sits dutifully by her side only to have to hear you call out another man’s name. Punch. In. The. Gut. The stories are short and at times way to real, but the writing is beautiful.
anphall's review against another edition
This book has a deeply transphobic story in it. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
theblondemule's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
terrybain's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been awhile since I read a book of stories front to back with no interruption. This was the perfect return to that practice. Fully dashed against the rocks, pulled up onto the frozen shore, buried in the blackened sand, and voted most likely to wear a sweater. Delicious.