Scan barcode
annieu's review against another edition
reflective
4.5
Smiley's strongest work is in the nuance of domestic life. Of this collection, my favorites were the titular novella "The Age of Grief" and the story "The Pleasure of Her Company." Some of the other stories in this collection that veered more experimental tended to be not as strong.
lizzderr's review against another edition
4.0
To me thus far, it seems that Smiley is at her best when chronicling the the drama of the everyday, of the domestic, as in the story that opens this collection, "The Pleasure of Her Company." When she tries to add more extreme actions, as she does at the end of the next story, "Lily," they fall flat. The other story in the collection I wasn't entirely impressed with was the fourth, "Long Distance." It ends in an epiphanic moment, which I found a bit hackneyed. On the other hand, I very much enjoyed the idiosyncracies of "Jeffrey, Believe Me" and "Dynamite," and the title novella is strong, not quite on the level of "Ordinary Love" or "Good Will," but still well-crafted. Masterfully written overall.
kirstenw's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
I liked some stories more than others, but she makes all the characters feel real and complex.
joeydragonfly's review against another edition
4.0
Smiley's depth of characterization in the novella by the same title is amazing.
dcmr's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of this slim volume is comprised of short stories. The second -- and I think, best -- half is a long short-story (or novella), "The Age of Grief." This short, powerful and tenderly rendered story about the precarious nature of marriage carries the book. Jane Smiley is a masterful writer of character and nuance.
northerly_heart_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
anacardo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mireiaaaaaa3's review against another edition
3.0
Tot i que transmet molt bé la melancolia, la por, fins i tot la bogeria del narrador; les seves contradiccions respecte a la masculinitat, l'amor, la família, etc. Per mi li falta alguna cosa que el diferenciï de la resta de llibres costumistes que he llegit. El millor és que l'episodi de la grip m'ha fet pensar en algun conte de la Shirley Jackson i he tingut moltes ganes de tornar-la a llegir.
gloriabandy's review against another edition
3.0
Stream of consciousness. A somewhat depressing account of modern relationships.