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veecaswell's review against another edition
5.0
The fact that 'Ice Baby' isn't longer is deeply frustrating.
andintothetrees's review against another edition
4.0
I don't often read short stories but as I loved Carys Bray's novels I thought I'd give these a try, and they were really enjoyable and often very moving. I'm only giving them 4 stars rather than 5 as I wish there had been more of them!
mslaura's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
betweenbookends's review against another edition
3.0
A solid 3.5/5
This was such a great collection overall and I felt only 2 stories were forgettable. Most of the stories in this collection are fairly short but really packs a punch. The theme of this collection focuses essentially on relationships, family, parenting, childhood, innocence, death and loss. She captures the tiniest of details and emotions that transpire in everyday situations with such beauty it blew me away. Her stories made me chuckle, and smile and tear up and revel in the intimacy and warmth she weaves in the insignificant lives of ordinary characters. Most of the stories are realistic, with a few being surreal. One of the stories I loved, also exists as a full length novel and I definitely want to pick that up. Carys Bray is an author to look out for!
Highly recommend!
This was such a great collection overall and I felt only 2 stories were forgettable. Most of the stories in this collection are fairly short but really packs a punch. The theme of this collection focuses essentially on relationships, family, parenting, childhood, innocence, death and loss. She captures the tiniest of details and emotions that transpire in everyday situations with such beauty it blew me away. Her stories made me chuckle, and smile and tear up and revel in the intimacy and warmth she weaves in the insignificant lives of ordinary characters. Most of the stories are realistic, with a few being surreal. One of the stories I loved, also exists as a full length novel and I definitely want to pick that up. Carys Bray is an author to look out for!
Highly recommend!
kitty_kat21's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here
I haven't read many short story collections but I really enjoyed Sweet Home. There are seventeen different stories, all linked by themes relating to familial relationships and family life behind closed doors. Some of the stories include magical realism to wonderful effect, such as buying babies in the baby aisle at Tesco or making a living baby out of an ice ball in winter and then struggling to keep the baby alive as the weather starts to warm up. My favourite stories in particular were:
Just in case - a woman who has recently lost a baby and the consequences of her grief. A surprisingly dark tale that explores the bizarre places that grief can lead to.
Sweet home - an elderly female foreigner builds a house out of gingerbread and sweets and gets pestered by the locals who dislike her. The gingerbread house is symbolic of the home as something temporary that can be consumed by people or can consume them.
The baby aisle - babies are sold at the supermarket in the baby aisle; returns only accepted on faulty babies and not because they happen to cry too much. Explores the idea of babies being brought into the world with expectations and fulfilling a specific role in a family.
Under covers - teen girls mock an older lady who is pegging her washing outside as she thinks back on her marriage. Ironic that the teen girls should scoff at something that is essentially their future, an older lady pegging washing out on the line.
Love: terms and conditions - a couple takes their children to visit the maternal grandparents. Humorously examines the differences in parenting styles of the parents vs the grandparents.
I would recommend this short story collection as it is an interesting exploration of often dysfunctional family dynamics. Every story touched a nerve within me and I felt so many different emotions as no two stories were alike. Every story highlights the struggles of family life in seventeen quite distinct stories. A brilliant examination of many interpretations of what home means to people, and it's not always bliss.
british2197's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a collection of short stories, that although may seem like are about parenting, are actually anecdotal comparisons to the world of parenting manuals. On the face of it, the stories may start out funny, but soon become disturbing as most of the stories have death in them. Babies are like dolls as they are sold on supermarket shelves and stuffed into suitcases. One story: 'Scaling never' may be familiar to those who have read The Story of Issy Bradley, as it features the same characters, but focuses entirely on Jacob. Each story was so poignant and had and unexpected twist, it's easily the best short story collection I have ever read.
emily7823's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
fimcd's review against another edition
4.0
This book unsettled me. I wish I hadn't read it and I'm also glad I did. How our relationships develop with our children is one of the biggest joys and greatest challenges of our lives - Sweet Home explores the highs and lows, as well as the fantastical.