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trevynzobell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
a_novel_experiment's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
babygirl's review against another edition
3.5
Really interesting, with the source of conflict often being non-physically violent social dynamics that can still wreak havoc on communities, individuals, families, people's lives, etc. It was interesting reading something from this time period, and how often women were referred to by their married name, with sometimes mirror images between a mother and daughter in law, except for the power one wields over the other. Touches upon topics of racism, sexism, mob mentality over silly arbitrary things that can really ruin someone. I had read "The Tooth" years ago, and thought it was familiar, but did not fully confirm this until we got to the bathroom scene. Which of these women am I? Why didn't I choose a better face? Can I fix it? Why isn't my identity in these papers? Oh, look, a helpful man came to help me, once again. It's crazy how quick she can establish the horror and confusion in identity making, in various stories, and also how enrapturing her use of language is. She purposefully dizzies a reader with complex, longer sentences or show how quickly a social cue disarms us with an entirely different structure. If Jackson wasn't born to be a writer, I don't know who, on planet Earth, is.
I was personally confused about the groupings of the stories, and also the poetry throughout, to be honest.
I was personally confused about the groupings of the stories, and also the poetry throughout, to be honest.
djrennie7's review against another edition
4.5
The fundamental oddness of everyday existence! Deeply chilling, very me - a master of the form and probably my favourite writer
amanda_lee's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this but I just didn't. I wanted creepy horror vibes but it's not that. Some of my disappointment may be from it not being what I was hoping for.
As with any collection, not all are winners but there were some really good ones but other left me wondering what the point was. For the most part this collection is filled with cruel and racist people and seemingly everyday interactions (with some exceptions of course)
As with any collection, not all are winners but there were some really good ones but other left me wondering what the point was. For the most part this collection is filled with cruel and racist people and seemingly everyday interactions (with some exceptions of course)
anmamo91's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
faroreness's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.75