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mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
This review is based on the FirstReads copy I was lucky enough to win. Since I loved [b:The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake|7048800|The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake|Aimee Bender|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320541766s/7048800.jpg|7299170], I was excited when I found out I'd won a copy of this collection of short stories and couldn't wait to start them. The stories were both familiar and fantastical infused with inventive language. Several of them had a modern fairy tale feel to them, which I particularly loved. If asked to pick my favorite story from each of the three sections the book was divided into, it would be tough but I'd pick "Faces" (from Part One), "The Fake Nazi" (from Part Two), and "The Color Master" (from Part Three). One of the strengths in this collection is how unique the voices in the stories are -- for example, I would have easily believed a teenager had written "Lemonade," could not help but identify with the narrator of "Wordkeepers," and easily became engulfed in a story in which a human woman married an ogre in "The Devourings." Thanks to the Goodreads FirstReads program for giving me the opportunity to read this short story collection!
nerissassippi's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the "Sadness of Lemon Cake" and really looked forward to reading more from her. However, this collection of short stories felt half-baked. I could see the spark of an interesting character or story line, but the stories ultimately felt like just the idea, not a complete story unto themselves.
meghan111's review against another edition
4.0
A few stories that I thought were spectacular, a few that I didn't care for. The opening story, in particular, was more of a sketch, although containing some great descriptions of apple eating. "Tiger Mending" and the title story are the ones I remember most, that have the most dream logic sense to them.
belle_fiction's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmmm...this collection of short stories by Aimee Bender was harder for me to get into. It took me longer to read for a start and that's because I read a few which were amazing (Appleless and The Red Ribbon which is one of my favourite short stories - honestly, Bender has a ridiculously imaginative and tender way with words. She causes your heart to ache as she presents you with broken lives and failing marriages) which were then followed by a few I didn't much care for (Faces, Lemonade and Origin Lessons).
I actually found that some of her longer short stories such as Faces and Bad Return, despite being well written, didn't really do an awful lot for me. I read them, I (mostly) enjoyed them but they didn't leave me feeling anything particularly strong, and that is a great shame.
Having read her other story collections (Willful Creatures and The Girl in the Flammable Skirt), I have to pronounce The Color Master as the weakest one. The stories in this collection still contain the beautiful language and scintillating descriptions Bender is known for, however, I would have to say that a good third of the stories collected here left me feeling indifferent.
My favourite stories from The Color Master are as follows:
The Red Ribbon - a story about a woman who convinces her husband to pay her for sex. I actually understand the need behind this since it's about a woman who needs to find herself, her identity, to feel like she has earned something, to feel worthwhile. A very powerful and moving story which ends perfectly.
Tiger Mending - a very subtle yet powerful story about two sisters who are taken to Asia, where one of the sisters' job is to mend tigers. A deep and affecting story which will stay with you for a little while afterwards.
On a Saturday Afternoon - a story about a woman watching her two male friends become intimate under her command. Bender's elegant prose really makes this piece shine. After reading this, you will be glowing.
The Doctor and the Rabbi - this was a beautifully written and wonderfully executed story where the power of dialogue is propelled to new heights. As with most of Bender's work, she is able to move her readers by what her character's fail to say. A singular story.
The Color Master - the title story and I can see why. Possibly my second favourite short story from the collection (after The Red Ribbon). Full of magical realism, pure escapism and reads like a fairy tale. Bender's nuance for detail, in capturing the fragility of humans is present in its finest form here, and reminds us how special certain individuals are. Magical.
Americca - this was a slightly strange story, and I'm not fully sure whether I understood it completely but that doesn't hide the fact that I can appreciate Bender's unique writing and singular storytelling. A story that I shall definitely re-read again - it's like a fishing hook which keeps on reeling you in and the last line is heart-breaking.
The Devourings - a story about a female human and a male ogre who are married. Again, an incredibly strange story which reads like a fairy tale/fable. One of the most vivid stories in the collection because of what happens in it and the cake in it could have a story of it's own. A unique and unusual read.
Overall, The Color Master is a great read with some poetic descriptions and beautifully written dialogue. If you're new to Bender's work however, I suggest you read Willful Creatures first because that collection will honestly blow you away like a dandelion seed in the wind. Magical realism in its purest and most seductive form.
I actually found that some of her longer short stories such as Faces and Bad Return, despite being well written, didn't really do an awful lot for me. I read them, I (mostly) enjoyed them but they didn't leave me feeling anything particularly strong, and that is a great shame.
Having read her other story collections (Willful Creatures and The Girl in the Flammable Skirt), I have to pronounce The Color Master as the weakest one. The stories in this collection still contain the beautiful language and scintillating descriptions Bender is known for, however, I would have to say that a good third of the stories collected here left me feeling indifferent.
My favourite stories from The Color Master are as follows:
The Red Ribbon - a story about a woman who convinces her husband to pay her for sex. I actually understand the need behind this since it's about a woman who needs to find herself, her identity, to feel like she has earned something, to feel worthwhile. A very powerful and moving story which ends perfectly.
Tiger Mending - a very subtle yet powerful story about two sisters who are taken to Asia, where one of the sisters' job is to mend tigers. A deep and affecting story which will stay with you for a little while afterwards.
On a Saturday Afternoon - a story about a woman watching her two male friends become intimate under her command. Bender's elegant prose really makes this piece shine. After reading this, you will be glowing.
The Doctor and the Rabbi - this was a beautifully written and wonderfully executed story where the power of dialogue is propelled to new heights. As with most of Bender's work, she is able to move her readers by what her character's fail to say. A singular story.
The Color Master - the title story and I can see why. Possibly my second favourite short story from the collection (after The Red Ribbon). Full of magical realism, pure escapism and reads like a fairy tale. Bender's nuance for detail, in capturing the fragility of humans is present in its finest form here, and reminds us how special certain individuals are. Magical.
Americca - this was a slightly strange story, and I'm not fully sure whether I understood it completely but that doesn't hide the fact that I can appreciate Bender's unique writing and singular storytelling. A story that I shall definitely re-read again - it's like a fishing hook which keeps on reeling you in and the last line is heart-breaking.
The Devourings - a story about a female human and a male ogre who are married. Again, an incredibly strange story which reads like a fairy tale/fable. One of the most vivid stories in the collection because of what happens in it and the cake in it could have a story of it's own. A unique and unusual read.
Overall, The Color Master is a great read with some poetic descriptions and beautifully written dialogue. If you're new to Bender's work however, I suggest you read Willful Creatures first because that collection will honestly blow you away like a dandelion seed in the wind. Magical realism in its purest and most seductive form.
sarahbethbrown's review against another edition
4.0
what a delightfully weird book.
bender can write in 25 different voices, and they're all on display here.
i liked part three the best.
bender can write in 25 different voices, and they're all on display here.
i liked part three the best.
candyfaerie's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joanna_banana's review against another edition
1.0
I think I must have missed something. I kept asking myself, "What does that even mean?? Some stories were better than others, but I struggled to see any theme or link. Some were quite depressing, others in the weird surreal or fantasy genre. And I certainly did not understand the title story of the color master.
hallizalli's review against another edition
4.0
This short story collection survived the great to-read list purge of 2022. It’s been on my list since 2014 and I decided to give it a go because I’ve enjoyed Bender’s quirky collections in the past!
Very enjoyable overall, the collection is separated into three parts. While I liked some of the stories in the first two parts, I loved every single story in part three. My favorite from part one was “The Red Ribbon”, and my favorite from part two was “Bad Return”. “Appleless” and “Lemonade” were two I didn’t like at all. The title story, “The Color Master”, was my absolute favorite in the whole collection. It was beautiful and strange and so very moving. This quote nearly brought me to tears when I read it, and then reread it:
“I picked the right colors to mix with blue, a little of so many other colors and then so many different kinds of blue and gray and more blue and more. And in it all, the sensation of shaking my fists at the sky, shaking my fists high up to the sky, because that is what we do when someone dies to early, too beautiful, to undervalued by the world, or sometimes just at all — we shake our fists at the big blue beautiful indifferent sky, and the anger is righteous and strong and helpless and huge.” (p. 179)
Very enjoyable overall, the collection is separated into three parts. While I liked some of the stories in the first two parts, I loved every single story in part three. My favorite from part one was “The Red Ribbon”, and my favorite from part two was “Bad Return”. “Appleless” and “Lemonade” were two I didn’t like at all. The title story, “The Color Master”, was my absolute favorite in the whole collection. It was beautiful and strange and so very moving. This quote nearly brought me to tears when I read it, and then reread it:
“I picked the right colors to mix with blue, a little of so many other colors and then so many different kinds of blue and gray and more blue and more. And in it all, the sensation of shaking my fists at the sky, shaking my fists high up to the sky, because that is what we do when someone dies to early, too beautiful, to undervalued by the world, or sometimes just at all — we shake our fists at the big blue beautiful indifferent sky, and the anger is righteous and strong and helpless and huge.” (p. 179)
willwork4airfare's review
4.0
I love me some Aimee Bender, so beautiful and strange. Some of these stories went over my head but there’s no denying she can write gorgeous sentences.