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sullyisreading's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A strong collection of short stories based in the fictional location of Cressley, following northern-English men and women living their lives, most often poor and struggling whether with their domestic life or due to who they are; I found this anthology endearing and at times hard to read, not for any fault of its own, but rather because of the frankly hopeless and depressing situations many of the characters in these stories find themselves in.
I've been reading this book on and off for about a year now, interspersed with other stories (ones less depressing), and this one stayed in my memory for its strong moments of irony, characterisation, and sometimes not so subtle messages - the story 'Gamblers Never Win' comes to mind immediately. Nevertheless, if the reader is open to realistic but depressing stories, featuring some sexist characters of a bygone-era, and death, this anthology will not delight, but certainly enthrall.
I've been reading this book on and off for about a year now, interspersed with other stories (ones less depressing), and this one stayed in my memory for its strong moments of irony, characterisation, and sometimes not so subtle messages - the story 'Gamblers Never Win' comes to mind immediately. Nevertheless, if the reader is open to realistic but depressing stories, featuring some sexist characters of a bygone-era, and death, this anthology will not delight, but certainly enthrall.
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