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hedgehogbookreviews's review against another edition
5.0
You can also find this review on Hedgehog Book Reviews!!
4.5/5 stars
“Sometimes the suffering of one individual is so great that it renders unjustifiable any purpose that the universe could possibly have.”
A little boy who talks to a rock, a headless fish who grows from living skin, a bridge that randomly generates, and a man who cradles a large box nearly every minute of every day. These are some of the interesting things that happen within the 8 short stories of Strange Medicine. Some of the stories make you laugh, some make you think, some have good morals, and others just don’t make any sense. If you want to teleport into a few weird, fantastical stories, try Strange Medicine and see where it takes you.
Strange Books was extremely generous and sent me a copy of Strange Medicine in return for an honest book review. I’m very honored that they chose to contact me and I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to read this book because I ended up liking so much!
This is a short book—141 pages. But, these are 141 pages of fun, horror, humor, and thoughtfulness. I had no idea where this book would take me (and I’m still not quite sure where it took me) but I’m so happy with the journey I found myself on. Every story was witty, in its own unique way, and kept me racing through the pages to find the catch at the end of each chapter.
Mike Russell has an extensive imagination. I’ve never read a short story collection with such a wide variety of characters who, truly, were each their own concoction of weirdness. Most stories have one or two unique characters who are a little bit out there, but Strange Medicine was full of them. I applaud Mike Russell for having the dedication to fill all 8 stories with unforgettable characters who will remain in my forethoughts for a long time.
I also want to add that Mike Russell’s writing style is something that is not seen very often in short stories. I sometimes have a hard time with short stories because I can’t keep up with the rapid plot and character developments and get a bit confused halfway through a story. Strange Medicine was not like that for me, at all. The writing style was extremely easy to follow and understand, even with the short length of chapters. If you are convinced that short stories are not for you, I urge you to try this book; it’s very different from anything else I’ve read.
If you can’t tell, Strange Medicine blew me away. I wasn’t even really a short story person, that is, until I read this book. I loved so many things about this collection as a whole and as individual stories, but I don’t want to spoil any of the plot. Again, a huge thank you to Strange Books for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I hope to read more of their stuff in the future because I loved Strange Medicine!
4.5/5 stars
“Sometimes the suffering of one individual is so great that it renders unjustifiable any purpose that the universe could possibly have.”
A little boy who talks to a rock, a headless fish who grows from living skin, a bridge that randomly generates, and a man who cradles a large box nearly every minute of every day. These are some of the interesting things that happen within the 8 short stories of Strange Medicine. Some of the stories make you laugh, some make you think, some have good morals, and others just don’t make any sense. If you want to teleport into a few weird, fantastical stories, try Strange Medicine and see where it takes you.
Strange Books was extremely generous and sent me a copy of Strange Medicine in return for an honest book review. I’m very honored that they chose to contact me and I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to read this book because I ended up liking so much!
This is a short book—141 pages. But, these are 141 pages of fun, horror, humor, and thoughtfulness. I had no idea where this book would take me (and I’m still not quite sure where it took me) but I’m so happy with the journey I found myself on. Every story was witty, in its own unique way, and kept me racing through the pages to find the catch at the end of each chapter.
Mike Russell has an extensive imagination. I’ve never read a short story collection with such a wide variety of characters who, truly, were each their own concoction of weirdness. Most stories have one or two unique characters who are a little bit out there, but Strange Medicine was full of them. I applaud Mike Russell for having the dedication to fill all 8 stories with unforgettable characters who will remain in my forethoughts for a long time.
I also want to add that Mike Russell’s writing style is something that is not seen very often in short stories. I sometimes have a hard time with short stories because I can’t keep up with the rapid plot and character developments and get a bit confused halfway through a story. Strange Medicine was not like that for me, at all. The writing style was extremely easy to follow and understand, even with the short length of chapters. If you are convinced that short stories are not for you, I urge you to try this book; it’s very different from anything else I’ve read.
If you can’t tell, Strange Medicine blew me away. I wasn’t even really a short story person, that is, until I read this book. I loved so many things about this collection as a whole and as individual stories, but I don’t want to spoil any of the plot. Again, a huge thank you to Strange Books for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I hope to read more of their stuff in the future because I loved Strange Medicine!
bookswithemily's review against another edition
4.0
I will always look forward to reading a book or collection of short stories written by Mike Russell. I never know what to expect when I first start reading one of his books. This one was just as amazing as the others I have read.
I really enjoyed all the short stories in this book but I especially loved Brain, Telephone and Shish. They were all so strange but also wonderful. I find these stories always make me think about the world around us. I am always pleasantly shocked whenever I read more from Mike Russell, I have no idea where he gets his imagination from!
The authors writing style is so enjoyable and easy to read. As they are short stories, they don’t take up much time at all, some are very short but others have a few chapters within the story. I definitely recommend this books for some light hearted fun! An ideal book to get you out of a reading slump!
I really enjoyed all the short stories in this book but I especially loved Brain, Telephone and Shish. They were all so strange but also wonderful. I find these stories always make me think about the world around us. I am always pleasantly shocked whenever I read more from Mike Russell, I have no idea where he gets his imagination from!
The authors writing style is so enjoyable and easy to read. As they are short stories, they don’t take up much time at all, some are very short but others have a few chapters within the story. I definitely recommend this books for some light hearted fun! An ideal book to get you out of a reading slump!
strangebookssecretary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
strangebookssecretary's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
emilysherr's review against another edition
4.0
there’s something methodical, almost clinical in mike russell’s writing style that’s as much addicting as it is unsettling. i enjoyed some symbolic moments, laughed at the absurdism of others and had fun reading another piece of insanity. will probably tackle the rest of his books that i haven’t read yet at some points this year
quoth_chloe's review against another edition
2.0
I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review!
I am the first to say I love strange things and I really enjoyed the creepy and completely bizarre stories however, they may have been a bit too much for me!
I enjoyed the short story style, I think anything longer for these particular stories would have been too much. The characters were interesting and they definitely evoked certain emotions through just their personalities.
I definitely appreciated the writing style, the author is very talented and can really create interesting characters and scenes and these stories are definitely original, however I feel they were lost on me. This really isn't the sort of thing I usually read and although it was a great experience to jump out of my comfort zone I personally don't think this is something I would seek out myself.
That being said, my boyfriend found them incredibly intriguing so I guess it just depends on the person!
I am very grateful to strangebooks for sending me this and I hope I get to review some other strange books in the future!
I am the first to say I love strange things and I really enjoyed the creepy and completely bizarre stories however, they may have been a bit too much for me!
I enjoyed the short story style, I think anything longer for these particular stories would have been too much. The characters were interesting and they definitely evoked certain emotions through just their personalities.
I definitely appreciated the writing style, the author is very talented and can really create interesting characters and scenes and these stories are definitely original, however I feel they were lost on me. This really isn't the sort of thing I usually read and although it was a great experience to jump out of my comfort zone I personally don't think this is something I would seek out myself.
That being said, my boyfriend found them incredibly intriguing so I guess it just depends on the person!
I am very grateful to strangebooks for sending me this and I hope I get to review some other strange books in the future!
cathreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the author for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Strange Medicine is the third short story collection I have read by Mike Russell, and I have to say I think it’s my favourite. The level of detail the he puts into his stories is unparalleled. I can always picture so vividly the things he is describing, it almost feels like I’m actually inside the world he has created. There are 8 stories in this book; my favourites were Mime and Mr. Dennis and the Universe. I have come to find that the stories I enjoy more are always the longer ones, probably just going back to the fact that I enjoy all the work he puts into the details.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It was a very quick and interesting read :)
Strange Medicine is the third short story collection I have read by Mike Russell, and I have to say I think it’s my favourite. The level of detail the he puts into his stories is unparalleled. I can always picture so vividly the things he is describing, it almost feels like I’m actually inside the world he has created. There are 8 stories in this book; my favourites were Mime and Mr. Dennis and the Universe. I have come to find that the stories I enjoy more are always the longer ones, probably just going back to the fact that I enjoy all the work he puts into the details.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It was a very quick and interesting read :)
pip94's review against another edition
3.0
The publisher very kindly sent me a physical copy in return for an honest review. This is definitely a bit of a weird one. While reading it I wouldn't have been surprised to find question marks floating above my head. There are some pretty bizarre stories in here. I found it quite refreshing, although some went a bit over my head. It is written well and the stories are interesting, but I did like some stories better than others. If you are looking for some weird stories, this is definitely worth a read.
stephbookshine's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Another collection of the strange, bizarre and surreal from Mike Russell in Strange Medicine.
In these short stories he conjures up variously a man precariously constructed and confused; a couple haunted by bridges and walls; a love affair with a telephone; a world where mimes are outlawed; a grief-stricken father full of hate; a person consumed by paranoia; an intellectual with brain problems; and a highly unusual shoulder-fish.
As I found previously with Mr Russell’s short stories, to describe them is ridiculous, as on the surface they seem nonsensical – odd dreams and fancies with no rhyme or reason behind them. Yet when you actually read the stories you find that beneath the strange surface you are actually reading about very sensible and logical things: loneliness, grief, hubris, love, understanding… the gamut of human emotions and experiences.
This collection of stories entertained me as I read them, but kept me thinking, turning over the ideas and feelings presented, long after I had put the book down.
‘In the future,’ the woman says, ‘I remember a man like you.’
Anthony Tobias Bradshaw slowly lowers his newspaper.
‘I am sorry, madam, are you talking to me?’ Anthony Tobias Bradshaw enquires, knowing perfectly well that she is but wanting the woman to understand just how impertinent it is of her to be doing so.
The woman ignores Anthony Tobias Bradshaw’s question and says:
‘One day, the man realised that he wasn’t a man at all but that he was, in fact, sixteen birds. At the moment of realisation, the birds all suddenly took flight, each one flying off in a completely different direction.’
– Mike Russell, ‘Flock’ in Strange Medicine
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/01/17/strange-medicine-mike-russell/
Another collection of the strange, bizarre and surreal from Mike Russell in Strange Medicine.
In these short stories he conjures up variously a man precariously constructed and confused; a couple haunted by bridges and walls; a love affair with a telephone; a world where mimes are outlawed; a grief-stricken father full of hate; a person consumed by paranoia; an intellectual with brain problems; and a highly unusual shoulder-fish.
As I found previously with Mr Russell’s short stories, to describe them is ridiculous, as on the surface they seem nonsensical – odd dreams and fancies with no rhyme or reason behind them. Yet when you actually read the stories you find that beneath the strange surface you are actually reading about very sensible and logical things: loneliness, grief, hubris, love, understanding… the gamut of human emotions and experiences.
This collection of stories entertained me as I read them, but kept me thinking, turning over the ideas and feelings presented, long after I had put the book down.
‘In the future,’ the woman says, ‘I remember a man like you.’
Anthony Tobias Bradshaw slowly lowers his newspaper.
‘I am sorry, madam, are you talking to me?’ Anthony Tobias Bradshaw enquires, knowing perfectly well that she is but wanting the woman to understand just how impertinent it is of her to be doing so.
The woman ignores Anthony Tobias Bradshaw’s question and says:
‘One day, the man realised that he wasn’t a man at all but that he was, in fact, sixteen birds. At the moment of realisation, the birds all suddenly took flight, each one flying off in a completely different direction.’
– Mike Russell, ‘Flock’ in Strange Medicine
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/01/17/strange-medicine-mike-russell/
briarsreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Strange Medicine by Mike Russell
This book is an excellent selection of short stories. I love books like this because there are great for those who want a short term read, but also want a lot of spice in their life and Strange Medicine brought it!
These stories are quirky and exciting, which isn't something you can say about a lot of short stories series. Some of them seem a little dark or strange for short stories, but they are so well written it's unbelievable. This book definitely kept me interested!!
Some of the stories are more thoughtful, while others will just make you laugh. Without spoiling, I would say this is a good collection that gives you a little bit of everything - it's just enough! These out of the box, bizarre, yet thoughtful stories are a great way to spice up your library or reading experience. You'll have many thought provoking questions, which is just how I like my reads!!!
My critiques are that I would have liked to read more into each story. I felt like some of them could have been expanded much further than they were, but they were short stories and that it is. This book wasn't meant to be a full length novel.
This is a refreshing novel and I definitely want to read more! It didn't wow my socks off beyond belief, but it was so great that is deserves four stars! Mike Russell is a very talent author who should definitely be in the top contenders at book stores (if he isn't, they are crazy! What a talent that guy is!).
Four out of five stars.
This book is an excellent selection of short stories. I love books like this because there are great for those who want a short term read, but also want a lot of spice in their life and Strange Medicine brought it!
These stories are quirky and exciting, which isn't something you can say about a lot of short stories series. Some of them seem a little dark or strange for short stories, but they are so well written it's unbelievable. This book definitely kept me interested!!
Some of the stories are more thoughtful, while others will just make you laugh. Without spoiling, I would say this is a good collection that gives you a little bit of everything - it's just enough! These out of the box, bizarre, yet thoughtful stories are a great way to spice up your library or reading experience. You'll have many thought provoking questions, which is just how I like my reads!!!
My critiques are that I would have liked to read more into each story. I felt like some of them could have been expanded much further than they were, but they were short stories and that it is. This book wasn't meant to be a full length novel.
This is a refreshing novel and I definitely want to read more! It didn't wow my socks off beyond belief, but it was so great that is deserves four stars! Mike Russell is a very talent author who should definitely be in the top contenders at book stores (if he isn't, they are crazy! What a talent that guy is!).
Four out of five stars.