Reviews

Pure Hollywood: And Other Stories by Christine Schutt

pam2375's review against another edition

2.0

This was OK for me. I'm not a fan of the short stories, generally, but that is my issue not that of the writer.

I was given only a few short pages to get to know the character/s, but get to know them I did. If you are a short story fan, than this is a book you will be happy that you pick up.

My thanks to netgalley and Grove Atlantic for this advanced readers copy.

lisawhelpley's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed the writing style of these stories. Unique and well done.

kdurham2's review against another edition

2.0

I don't tend to read a lot of short story collections, but usually when I do I remind myself that I really like them - this was not the case. I couldn't connect or care about any of the stories. The way I rate short story collections is if I have the feeling that I wish at least one or more of the stories were to be expanded into a full novel, then that is a good collection in my book. I couldn't find one story in this collection that I wanted more from.

I am going to keep this short and quick since I don't want to dwell on the negative. I would love to hear if you have read something else by Christine Schutt and if I should try something else?

sausome's review against another edition

2.0

I had a lot of trouble connecting to these stories, and the narrative felt just too wandering for me to follow it all feel like I was understanding the point. I enjoyed the first one, until it just kept going and going and going, then I think it went back or forward in time? I'm not sure, but it lost me. So I tried the next one, and while it was shorter, it still didn't bring me in. I will say that these stories had an overarching feeling of melancholy about them, though I'm not exactly sure why. Fleeting time? Dimming light? Beach days sped up until the nostalgia of beach vacations with too much sun and chilling sand after a long day seep in. So there was some feeling transmitted on the whole, but not enough for me to want to recommend the collection, unfortunately. There's something there, but just not enough for me.

wildgurl's review against another edition

4.0

Very glad I stuck with this and finished it, after a confusing start. Suddenly, I got it, I t made sense to me. This short story collection is brilliant as it is disturbing. Every story draws you in to the dark side of life, everyday people searching for not just meaning, but the ability to live and feel you have worth.
Eye opening and highly recommended!

kpdoessomereading's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-paced

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

4.0

agmaynard's review

3.0

Many of these fairly short (a few could be called "flash" or short-short) pieces are character sketches or a snapshot of a moment in time. Mostly prosperous people, with nature, gardening, neglected children, heartache minor or major common themes. Ideal for reading one or two at a time at lunchtime at work. 

deckybresnack's review against another edition

2.0

It was very confusing and hard to understand.

elisendemeter's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

currentlypurring's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0