Reviews

Good Citizens Need Not Fear: Stories by Maria Reva

purplepierogi's review against another edition

4.0

definitely not laugh out loud funny, more like chuckle out loud and squirm in your seat. it’s dark, it’s ironic, it’s got overlapping characters across stories and some gross imagery, and I enjoyed it

hanyaya's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Torture

cmulli16's review

adventurous dark funny

5.0

sopharesogood's review against another edition

dark funny informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

A witty book filled with political stories from the Ukraine during the USSR reign. There is dark humour, just plain darkness as well as some hopeful moments sprinkled in between.

I found myself enjoying the first half a lot but sadly the second one somehow lost the momentum in my opinion. Still a great book to get glimpses into a country during and right after being part of an all consuming regime. 

kleonard's review

4.0

A terrific set of short stories about characters connected through their place of residence before and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, this book offers outsiders great details about the absurdities and tragedies of life during this period, sprinkled liberally with sardonic humor in the Russian vein. For readers who have enjoyed writing by the satirical Russian masters and post-USSR fiction and memoir, this will be welcomed.

ebrown5813's review

3.0

Contained more body horror than I was anticipating from the publisher's description, although that did not detract from the story. Would recommend to fans of Grady Hendrix (Horrorstor, et al.)

lcameron123's review

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Really loved this book to start. The chapters/stories follow distinct characters, but the writing is so distinct and stylized and sharp, they flow together perfectly. Darkly funny, the stories tell so much about the setting without nearly any exposition. The only reason if not rated higher is just due to a personal difficulty with short stories, always wishing there was an overarching plot with a clear emotional or conceptual climax. 

babsannereads's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

genevievechamp's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

byrenical's review against another edition

4.0

The characters going about their lives rarely acknowledging the absurdity of their existence feels very relatable.