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ljo_15's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ajlane's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
alyssa_christine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
The writing was well-done. My problem is the characters in the first 2/3 of the book. I wish we had gotten to the part where the women realize the men are treating them terribly sooner. The first half of the stories were so frustrating, wishing the women in them would stand up for something better for themselves. The last few stories almost made up for that. You could feel the growth as the stories went on. The last story was probably my favorite.
ophelia98's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first Pam Houston book and I loved it. It made me want to be able to write my own collection of stories in this manner. Such great stories and characters that you can come to love or hate.
megaburrito's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
modesty_vdl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lamom77's review against another edition
5.0
This is the 3rd or 4th time I have read this book. It was first given to me by my friend Lucy in 1992. We were both living in the Rocky Mountains working for the Forest Service and had each encountered and/or dated men similar to the men in these stories. It is a book that I have loved through the various stages of my life and have been able to relate to in many ways.
j_schley's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Like any collection of short stories, there are some very strong stories and some I found quite weak by comparison.
That being said, I found all of the stories thought-provoking in their own way. There was a lot to unpack and examine surrounding the relationships between men and women, and how our cultural concepts of masculinity and femininity are so often more at odds than they are complimentary.
I found the endings of some of these stories to be a bit jarring, ending abruptly in a way that left me feeling as if there needed to be another page or paragraph written to really bring me any kind of closure.
That being said, I found all of the stories thought-provoking in their own way. There was a lot to unpack and examine surrounding the relationships between men and women, and how our cultural concepts of masculinity and femininity are so often more at odds than they are complimentary.
I found the endings of some of these stories to be a bit jarring, ending abruptly in a way that left me feeling as if there needed to be another page or paragraph written to really bring me any kind of closure.
drmichefishe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Great short stories about love and mistakes and learning.