Scan barcode
rocketiza's review against another edition
3.0
The author writes wonderful sentences, and each story had an interesting premise. However, the author tended to go on and on unnecessarily and I found myself losing interest in each story despite the skill in the use of language. If you're more open to meandering though, you'll probably enjoy this.
biblioholicbeth's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not usually much of a short story reader, preferring the world-building that can be done in a novel. However, I was intrigued by the description of the book, so I decided to try it anyway. I must say, I did enjoy it. The description isn't kidding when it says that the stories within are "dark" - the title story was sad and sorta creepy all at the same time. The Long Story Short was different, but interesting. Many of the characters within the stories are those that generally get overlooked in life, and they know it. And when fate changes things up, sometimes a dark side they never knew existed emerges and things get strange.
I was pretty impressed by Theroux's storytelling. The short story can be challenging for many writers, but these were quite well done. I will definitely be looking for more of his work.
I was pretty impressed by Theroux's storytelling. The short story can be challenging for many writers, but these were quite well done. I will definitely be looking for more of his work.
alienclans's review against another edition
1.0
I hated this. The stories are uninteresting and I did not care about any of the characters. Mr. Bones was memorably bad.
maisiesmom's review
3.0
3.5. I enjoyed many of the stories very much, but the overall impact of the collection was mixed. The stories were well written and full of ideas that made me think. But there are also some troublesome characterizations of Asian women that keep reappearing. Mostly stories about privileged white men, which I suppose is the main audience for this book.
siennarose's review against another edition
”her breasts.... Seemed to have a personality of their own. When leaned they seemed to swing for him”. God, I am beyond sick of men trying to write women characters and having 0 understanding of basic biology or anatomy. What are these monstrous, anthropomorphic things on her chest?
And grossly describing an Asian woman as ”Beautiful, more so for looking submissive”.... Was this written by a weeabo who watches too much anime porn?
Such a shame, because the stories themselves are interesting. Paul Theroux could have made something great out of Mr Bones.
And grossly describing an Asian woman as ”Beautiful, more so for looking submissive”.... Was this written by a weeabo who watches too much anime porn?
Such a shame, because the stories themselves are interesting. Paul Theroux could have made something great out of Mr Bones.
biblio_beth's review
4.0
Never having read anything by Mr. Theroux, I was not sure what to expect from this collection of short stories. There is some very interesting writing here and, for the most part, I enjoyed these stories.
siennarose's review
2.0
”her breasts.... Seemed to have a personality of their own. When leaned they seemed to swing for him”. God, I am beyond sick of men trying to write women characters and having 0 understanding of basic biology or anatomy. What are these monstrous, anthropomorphic things on her chest?
And grossly describing an Asian woman as ”Beautiful, more so for looking submissive”.... Was this written by a weeabo who watches too much anime porn?
Such a shame, because the stories themselves are interesting. Paul Theroux could have made something great out of Mr Bones.
And grossly describing an Asian woman as ”Beautiful, more so for looking submissive”.... Was this written by a weeabo who watches too much anime porn?
Such a shame, because the stories themselves are interesting. Paul Theroux could have made something great out of Mr Bones.
biblioholicbeth's review
4.0
I'm not usually much of a short story reader, preferring the world-building that can be done in a novel. However, I was intrigued by the description of the book, so I decided to try it anyway. I must say, I did enjoy it. The description isn't kidding when it says that the stories within are "dark" - the title story was sad and sorta creepy all at the same time. The Long Story Short was different, but interesting. Many of the characters within the stories are those that generally get overlooked in life, and they know it. And when fate changes things up, sometimes a dark side they never knew existed emerges and things get strange.
I was pretty impressed by Theroux's storytelling. The short story can be challenging for many writers, but these were quite well done. I will definitely be looking for more of his work.
I was pretty impressed by Theroux's storytelling. The short story can be challenging for many writers, but these were quite well done. I will definitely be looking for more of his work.
More...