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dil's review against another edition
4.0
The standouts for me were (in the order in which they appear in the book) Crystal Wilkinson's Endangered Species: Case 47401, Alice Jolly's From Far Around They Saw Us Burn, Adachioma Ezeano's Becoming the Baby Girl, Tiphanie Yanique's The Living Sea, Caroline Albertine Minor's Grief Garden, and Jianan Qian's To the Dogs.
amodestreader's review against another edition
read "The Master's House" by Anthony Doer; "Antediluvian" by _____
whoopiegirlberg2000's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
vivi_papis's review against another edition
Although I've been an avid short stories reader, It's the first time I read a collection of contemporary stories mainly by newly discovered authors.
It's a tiring task reviewing this collection of such diverse stories filled with different approaches to human suffering and address all their complexity and literary mastery. While some stories replicated the "conventional" style I'm so used to (having read mostly classics), others brought novel formats that intended to capture modernity in racial, gender, and ethnic suffering - and these stories caused me great discomfort, which is always a good thing while dealing with novel literary pieces.
Altogether, this collection depicts the contemporary world in its various facets, some more arduous to read and think about, some more appealing to me. But in its entirety makes us question society and each character's place in it.
Albeit I didn't enjoy the reading experience of all the short stories, I was affected and touched by the emotions put into every page of this book. And for that, I regard Ms. Adichie's editorial work to be on point.
Finally, I highlight The Other One and The Living Sea as my favorite stories that remained with me after I had finished the book.
It's a tiring task reviewing this collection of such diverse stories filled with different approaches to human suffering and address all their complexity and literary mastery. While some stories replicated the "conventional" style I'm so used to (having read mostly classics), others brought novel formats that intended to capture modernity in racial, gender, and ethnic suffering - and these stories caused me great discomfort, which is always a good thing while dealing with novel literary pieces.
Altogether, this collection depicts the contemporary world in its various facets, some more arduous to read and think about, some more appealing to me. But in its entirety makes us question society and each character's place in it.
Albeit I didn't enjoy the reading experience of all the short stories, I was affected and touched by the emotions put into every page of this book. And for that, I regard Ms. Adichie's editorial work to be on point.
Finally, I highlight The Other One and The Living Sea as my favorite stories that remained with me after I had finished the book.
connieksun's review against another edition
3.0
my first collection of short stories that i've finished. as someone who truly only cares about characterization when reading any book, i fear this genre ill-fits me. but i love my girl chimamanda and this was a christmas gift from my brother and it's good to try new things or whatever, so i'm glad i read it :^)
out of 20 stories i only really liked 4, but i think the others were perhaps just too high-brow for me as an avid fan of children's literature. stand-outs:
- malliga homes by sindya bhanoo: lovely to read from the perspective of an older woman, and especially the mother of immigrant children. emotionally resonant, beautiful writing, etc.
- freedom from want by joan silber: easy to read, at times funny, at times heartbreakingly sad. i love stories about sibling relationships.
- fisherman's stew by jowhor ile: such imagery and such romance captured in such beautiful, concise writing. extremely sad and extremely beautiful.
- delandria by asali solomon: ah, racism. the horrors never cease. an enthralling story.
out of 20 stories i only really liked 4, but i think the others were perhaps just too high-brow for me as an avid fan of children's literature. stand-outs:
- malliga homes by sindya bhanoo: lovely to read from the perspective of an older woman, and especially the mother of immigrant children. emotionally resonant, beautiful writing, etc.
- freedom from want by joan silber: easy to read, at times funny, at times heartbreakingly sad. i love stories about sibling relationships.
- fisherman's stew by jowhor ile: such imagery and such romance captured in such beautiful, concise writing. extremely sad and extremely beautiful.
- delandria by asali solomon: ah, racism. the horrors never cease. an enthralling story.
juli_drozda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.0
mollymisek's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Gorgeous story selections, my favorites being “Endangered Species,” “Fisherman’s Stew,” “White Noise,” and “Delandria.” My only regret is not having read these sooner.
booksaremypeople's review against another edition
5.0
There is nothing more satisfying than reading a wonderfully written short story and The Best Short. Stories 2021 The O. Henry Prize Winners is chalk full of them. These authors are brave, current and bold including writers such as Daphne Palasi Andreades, David Rabe and Jowhor Ile. As a short fiction writing instructor myself, I learned as much about the craft and possibility when it comes to writing short fiction, as well as rediscovered the humanity involved in reading fiction. Some of these stories took my breath away. These stories speak about our current times as much as they inhabit that timeless space for spectacular writers. I will be returning to these stories again and again to ponder, be in awe and feel. Thank you so Knopf for the advanced review copy.
swamp0phelia's review against another edition
3.0
didn't read every single one but great little collection
tyrant_flycatcher's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character