Reviews

We Show What We Have Learned and Other Stories by Clare Beams

annajoyreed93's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

strawberryfrog666's review against another edition

4.0

On this subtle and sinister crawl through the dense garden of the unconscious, Clare Beams is shining a light into the shadowy corners. In "Hourglass," a boarding school promising a 'transformational education,' is not what it seems. Simultaneously a classic gothic tale and a noteworthy critique of social standards for women acknowledging the weight of the 'form' part of 'conformity.' this story starts the book off in a blunt, unforgiving way. "World's End" explores the dynamics of class and power structures, and the persistent itch of coveting and unrequited love. In "Granna" a mysterious phenomenon causes Teresa to reassess her understanding of her ailing grandmother and herself. The strange scenarios presented by Clare Beams have the feeling of a forced observation, by which the subjects (and the readers) must confront the uncanny elements of the world and their psyches. These stories have the distinct sense of something alien scratching at the door. It's a familiar door but it opens now onto an unfamiliar world, a stranger one than expected. A delicately balanced study of complex emotions, teetering on the verge of a vast, grotesque uncanny valley.

thebookwitch876's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

bhaines's review against another edition

read this because I liked the title story. I think set me up to not enjoy the rest of the book as much. they were generally longer and less weird although still weird.

I mean I liked it, she does some good phrases.

liked hourglass and world's end. relatable characters in creative settings.

maybe I would say it felt forced sometimes. Like is the last line of "we show what we have learned" necessary? does it go too far? I don't know just felt missing something overall.

smalika's review against another edition

simply wasn’t interesting to me. i believe i got through 3 stories and each felt like a struggle to move through

ohlookanowl's review against another edition

4.0

Many incredibly powerful stories within Beams' original collection-- the first story, Hourglass, and later on, the Drop, are brilliant and both hit me like a punch. The Saltwater Cure and the Renaissance Person Tournament are more understated, but very impressive and affecting. I loved the overall haunting, unnerving tone of these stories.

ellenrhudy's review against another edition

4.0

About as close to perfect as I've found in a story collection, Beams beautifully draws her characters and the often eerie/ghostly situations they are in. Especially loved "Hourglass," "All the Keys to All the Doors," "Ailments," and "The Drop."

doomkittiekhan's review against another edition

5.0

Excellent short story collection. Creepy, mournful, haunting, and truly charming.

acewizard's review against another edition

4.0

Very thoughtful and introspective collection of short stories. I will definitely be reading more of Beams' work in the future!

nadinekc's review against another edition

3.0

I was hoping these short stories would feel similar to Kelly Link's - they're fairly long, about 20 pages or so, with plots that are slightly odd, and written in a strong, measured, clear voice. While they did hit all these notes, the stories simply weren't interesting to me. I didn't read them all, but the ones I did read seemed like they could have been first chapters of a novel. Maybe this author's strengths would be a better fit for long fiction.