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houndsoflove's review
medium-paced
4.5
i really adored this collection. meloy has a masterful grasp on pacing and tension, all delivered through a more straightforward prose that befits the american settings. after a while of reading multiple stories, the climax and dissipation of tension can feel formulaic, but they always end perfectly -- unexpected and at times abrupt, but perfect.
myriadreads's review
4.0
I struggled between a 4 and 5 star rating on this collection. Every story was interesting and well crafted, but I also felt like almost every story left me hanging. It must be said that my feeling of appreciating the skill of the short story artist, yet wanting more than I was given, fits in with the title and the theme of the collection beautifully.
munchkin0702's review against another edition
4.0
Bought used a few months ago because I liked the title. Baby shoes never worn might be shorter, but A.R. Ammons poem that inspired this books is more depressing imo: “one can’t have it both ways, and both ways is the only way I want it.” Could fit into a punnet square with DFW “everything I’ve ever let go of has claw marks on it” and Joana wanting everything from Near To The Wild Heart.
Plucked off bookshelf because it was either this of Kafka and ego didn’t need a boost. Coincidentally, most of these short stories take place across Montana (and some others in the Mountain West), and I read them in the days preceding and during Montana visit. I’m sure it boosted score somewhat.
After the first 5 or so short stories, I really thought this was a lock for 5 stars. Few words are wasted, but everything is still written simply and each story is approachable. But Meloy does all of this without sacrificing a really impressive wit and character command. I didn’t like the short stories in the back half as much (characters felt more 2-dimensional, relied more on the explicit trade off/opportunity costs), but only in comparison to how much I loved the first bit.
Individuality complex getting boost every time I mention this as one of my favorites.
Plucked off bookshelf because it was either this of Kafka and ego didn’t need a boost. Coincidentally, most of these short stories take place across Montana (and some others in the Mountain West), and I read them in the days preceding and during Montana visit. I’m sure it boosted score somewhat.
After the first 5 or so short stories, I really thought this was a lock for 5 stars. Few words are wasted, but everything is still written simply and each story is approachable. But Meloy does all of this without sacrificing a really impressive wit and character command. I didn’t like the short stories in the back half as much (characters felt more 2-dimensional, relied more on the explicit trade off/opportunity costs), but only in comparison to how much I loved the first bit.
Individuality complex getting boost every time I mention this as one of my favorites.
lizzy_op_destiny's review
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
beefmaster's review
4.0
When it’s working, it’s cooking! When it’s not working, it’s just meh, not egregiously so
gummy__smile__'s review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
mengel923's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
4.0
nerissassippi's review
5.0
I'm partial to short story collections and choose this after hearing a real life story by the author on The Moth.
janneyf's review
5.0
I got this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. This is my first reading of Maile Meloy, and I will certainly continue to read her work. All of these stories are excellent, and I've already decided to use one or two of them in my teaching of high schoolers next year. There's much to think and talk about for each story, and Meloy's characters are believable, especially in their self-absorbed, ego-driven ways. The title of the collection applies to all of the stories in one way or another, as characters try to live out their dreams with various success. It seems like I'm saying here that the characters are all jerks, but they're not--just morally compromised to some degree, like the rest of us.
I just read this collection a second time, and it holds up to everything that makes reading wonderful - which is why I now give it 5 stars instead of my previous 4. These stories are gems, and the book is worth purchasing for its continued enjoyment.
I just read this collection a second time, and it holds up to everything that makes reading wonderful - which is why I now give it 5 stars instead of my previous 4. These stories are gems, and the book is worth purchasing for its continued enjoyment.