Reviews

Everything's Changing by Chelsea Stickle

undermeyou's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

davenash's review

5.0

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Chelsea Stickle’s upcoming flash chapbook, Everything’s Changing. I enjoyed being swept into surreal experiences, among them a mother freeing her child from a block of marble, a marionette shop in Prague that’s a little too real, and a tony neighborhood plagued by feral peacocks. Even a popular subreddit that falls apart becomes a study in story, movement, and resonance in Stickle’s skilled hands. In this can’t-put-it-down chapbook, Chelsea brings people, places, and their fates to life in flashes that reverberate well after the final sentence.

Highly recommend. There’s so many voices and perspectives.

Read more here. https://www.fivesouth.net/post/follow-the-whisper-an-interview-with-chelsa-stickle

theirresponsiblereader's review

challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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What’s Everything’s Changing About? 

When I finished this, I sent a quick email to the publicist that started with, “How is anyone supposed to write something about Everything Changes??” There’s a decent chance that this post could end up as long as—if not longer—than several of the stories in the book. I’ll try to avoid it.

This chapbook contains 20 flash fiction pieces previously published in a variety of outlets about…well, I don’t even know how to summarize this (I already alluded to that, didn’t I?). Here’s what’s on the Publisher’s site: 

Everything is changing in towns across the United States. What we think we know is wrong. Animals have gone wild. Myths and fairytales are upended. Women’s bodies are growing weapon appendages. Nothing is certain anymore. The stories we tell ourselves are shifting. EVERYTHING’S CHANGING is a chapbook full of everyday magic, transformations, chaos, and coming to terms with the world as it is and how we want it to be.

 
So, what did I think about Everything’s Changing?
 The rest of that email I sent read, “So weird, so good, so beyond explanation…” And that’s going to be a theme for this post. My notes for the first story, “Worship What Keeps You Alive” ended with “So, this is going to be a weird book.” And I didn’t know how right I was.
 
Weird, but compelling. This collection includes what could be the best AITA ever (I’m so glad it’s fictional). “Modern Ghosts” is something I’m going to re-read. The story “Party Animals” just made me happy. There were a few that fell a little flat for me, and they’ll probably be your favorites.
 
The prose isn’t just concise, it’s crisp, with some stunning imagery. Stickle has a way with words that’s impressive—and not a little disturbing (I mean that as a compliment). I’m so glad that I read this—and will be getting her previous chapbook soon.
 
This is a fast, strange, and overall enjoyable read—pick it up!
 

notsarahconnor's review

dark emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.0

 I received this book by The Next Best Book Club in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fantastic chapbook filled with surreal, moving, and unforgettable stories.

Read the full review on my blog!