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jamskel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
essjay1's review against another edition
4.0
Tony Birch is a terrific storyteller. He writes simply and to great effect.
nina_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
Tony Birch is an acclaimed Indigenous Australian author and he has been prolific in his writing with short stories his main genre. I read his novel The White Girl a couple of years ago and enjoyed it but didn’t absolutely fall in love so I was keen to try more. Common People was my first pick and I can definitely say Tony Birch is a master craftsman when it comes to short stories.
Each short story was perfectly formed and each really embodied the title of the collection. The subjects are all everyday people experiencing life in all its everyday messiness. The first story is an absolute shock to the system which I think is intended to place you squarely into the world of the people who might sail under the radar of those of us privileged of us to not be living pay check to pay check.
The characters are gritty and real. They move from two women packing meat overnight in the most full on of circumstances to a homeless man that helps birth a baby to a family who invites a stray dog into their home.
I had two main favourites, although I really did enjoy most of these stories. Painted Glass was about a journalist who has lost his job and then has a car accident leading to therapy. His visit to the National Gallery of Victoria was so moving. Then Raven and Sons was about a woman contracted by the owners of a funeral home who are selling after the business has been in the family for generations. They want her help to reunite the remains of people that haven’t been collected over many years. Her search to reunite the remains of a newborn baby with its family was so poignant.
Common People was very easy to read and a joy to fall into. This collection was a touching and moving look at little snippets of people's lives. I’m definitely a fan of Tony Birch’s writing now!
Each short story was perfectly formed and each really embodied the title of the collection. The subjects are all everyday people experiencing life in all its everyday messiness. The first story is an absolute shock to the system which I think is intended to place you squarely into the world of the people who might sail under the radar of those of us privileged of us to not be living pay check to pay check.
The characters are gritty and real. They move from two women packing meat overnight in the most full on of circumstances to a homeless man that helps birth a baby to a family who invites a stray dog into their home.
I had two main favourites, although I really did enjoy most of these stories. Painted Glass was about a journalist who has lost his job and then has a car accident leading to therapy. His visit to the National Gallery of Victoria was so moving. Then Raven and Sons was about a woman contracted by the owners of a funeral home who are selling after the business has been in the family for generations. They want her help to reunite the remains of people that haven’t been collected over many years. Her search to reunite the remains of a newborn baby with its family was so poignant.
Common People was very easy to read and a joy to fall into. This collection was a touching and moving look at little snippets of people's lives. I’m definitely a fan of Tony Birch’s writing now!
miarose_'s review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Highlights the beauty in the complicated and imperfect mundanity of life
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Alcoholism, and Violence
jasgrace's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
meerigarum's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
matthwecam's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
helyea's review against another edition
I didn’t enjoy the content of the stories- I just found it’s bit monotonous. Read for book club and wouldn’t have picked up normally.
felixsanchez's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. Really like his other work; this falls short on all fronts. A very weak collection in general. The stories are too simplistic, and end in the kind of way that indicates a profound truth, but is not achieved at all - certainly not like Birch's other works. The stories are truthful, broad and, most promisingly, about common people - the everyman - but I felt were too basic and explored only the surface level.