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connoronnor's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
h_tom's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
ilseoo's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tysuckz's review against another edition
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
2.75
Not my favourite in the world. Was boring in some places (most). Felt a lot of the stories had political undertones and I didn't anticipate that, nor do I enjoy that.
However, there were a few that I did like, namely Five Letters from an Eastern Empire & the Start of the Axeltree. The first few stories were funny and a great introduction, but they definitely set you off for high hopes that you'll soon lose.
There was a basically unreadable, incoherent chapter about a madman that I essentially just skipped since it was abysmal trying to read it.
Having said that, short stories aren't really my thing and I got this book before I realised I didn't enjoy short stories too much so maybe it's a me issue!
However, there were a few that I did like, namely Five Letters from an Eastern Empire & the Start of the Axeltree. The first few stories were funny and a great introduction, but they definitely set you off for high hopes that you'll soon lose.
There was a basically unreadable, incoherent chapter about a madman that I essentially just skipped since it was abysmal trying to read it.
Having said that, short stories aren't really my thing and I got this book before I realised I didn't enjoy short stories too much so maybe it's a me issue!
jessrock's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of short stories really astonished me with how good it was and has made me a fully converted Alasdair Gray fan. Other than one largely unreadable story ("Logopandocy," which consists of enormous lists composed by a madman), this collection is a must-read. The stories could almost be described as sci-fi or fantasy, since they're often set in some sort of alternate reality, but they're really something all their own. They're kooky and surprising and delicious.
mxn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dustymantle's review against another edition
4.0
I learned that ducks are a dynamo waiting to happen, and certain facts about the sky it would be churlish to reveal.
drokk's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite stories were The Great Bear Cult and The Comedy of the White Dog
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