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jlwalk905's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this story. It was dark and exactly how it is like in a office. Its like a darker version of the office. Love this!
sarahjsnider's review against another edition
3.0
A decent collection of solidly 2- and 4-star stories (I split the difference for the star rating). Some good, if not groundbreaking, exploration of alienation and the need for human connection. I learned after reading the book that "Orientation" was originally published in the 1990s, and I think that the datedness hurts the collection somewhat. Workplace culture has changed in so many little ways since then.
nanders's review against another edition
3.0
As with all collections of short stories, some stories will stick with you more than others. Orozco's writing is sharp and on point, with just the right amount of dark humor and poignancy. This collection seems to examine small disruptions in daily tedium, disruptions that are either tragically taken into stride, swept out of mind in favor of routine, or simply makes the routine look even sadder in comparison. I feel like Orozco is more successful when he deals with more minute interactions, as in "Temporary Stories" and "Officers Weep." He tends to overstretch himself when attempting to address more dramatic, heavy handedly "dark" themes, such as "The Bridge," and "I Run Every Day." I found "Somoza's Dream" sort of derailing in terms of flow of the collection, but that the book really hit it's groove in the second half.
werdfert's review against another edition
3.0
some of these stories were good. were really good, like almost too good. so good you hated them because of their self-righteousness. others were bad, were evil even. and you couldn't like those either although you wanted to because their wickedness affected you in subtle ways you didn't enjoy, like by stealing your wallet. but the ones in the middle, those middle stories that were neither good nor bad, they made the book worth while.
heypretty52's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Orozco's fast-paced story, "Orientation," chugs along like a train, perfectly reflecting the repetitive motion of so many office environments. At once darkly comical and shockingly depressing, the narrative voice of "Orientation" reminded me acutely of the manager in my first office environment.
scotchneat's review against another edition
4.0
Orozco's writing is sometimes wry, sometimes lyrical and sometimes sweet. The stories are versatile in subject and I liked most of them quite a bit.
In one, a new employee goes on a tour of the office and finds out the relationships of all and sundry with a sort of entertaining disconnectedness. There's an office temp working on a top secret project who decides to insert some commentary into the content she's fixing, and a young bridge painter who sees a woman up close as she plummets to her death.
Very strong writing voice.
In one, a new employee goes on a tour of the office and finds out the relationships of all and sundry with a sort of entertaining disconnectedness. There's an office temp working on a top secret project who decides to insert some commentary into the content she's fixing, and a young bridge painter who sees a woman up close as she plummets to her death.
Very strong writing voice.
jodiwilldare's review against another edition
5.0
If I had a dollar for every time I have referenced, linked to, or told someone about Daniel Orozco’s short story “Orientation” (which you can listen to right here, fast forward to about 50:45), I could probably buy all of you a copy of his new short collection, Orientation: And Other Stories. You would thank me. This slim collection, a mere 176 pages, is goose-bump causing, breath-holding fantastic.
It’s filled with the kind of stories and writing that make you stop reading, close your eyes, clutch the book to your chest, and sigh. I did that roughly every four pages.
Read More.
It’s filled with the kind of stories and writing that make you stop reading, close your eyes, clutch the book to your chest, and sigh. I did that roughly every four pages.
Read More.
hollowspine's review against another edition
4.0
After reading the first short story in this collection I thought I had the book pegged, funny stories with a bit of a sardonic edge to them. A host of slightly odd ducks in a world where things were not quite what they seemed. A little like George Saunders.
However, after the humorous first story things got a little darker. The stories were similar to Saunders in as much as they often had rather neurotic, introverted protagonists and often were set in a world that it just that tiny bit stranger than our own.
However Orozco's tone and setting were much bleaker than Saunders usually goes, even if the stories weren't set in some bleak future. The world these characters reside in is one of separation and never-ending loneliness. Just when you reach a conclusion or have a moment of clarity, you get shot in the gut. Twice.
I enjoyed reading these stories, despite the often depressing message. Often only a small glimpse of a character's life was given to the reader, and one never finds out what happened, but I found that rather interesting in this book, rather than frustrating. Though the world was bleak and there seemed to be little hope for any real connection with another person, the stories had a beauty to them.
I would recommend this book to anyone who also likes Saunders or even fans of Palahniuk, even though there are no repetitive mantras to hold on to in this collection. Except perhaps the knowledge that solitude is not the same as loneliness.
However, after the humorous first story things got a little darker. The stories were similar to Saunders in as much as they often had rather neurotic, introverted protagonists and often were set in a world that it just that tiny bit stranger than our own.
However Orozco's tone and setting were much bleaker than Saunders usually goes, even if the stories weren't set in some bleak future. The world these characters reside in is one of separation and never-ending loneliness. Just when you reach a conclusion or have a moment of clarity, you get shot in the gut. Twice.
I enjoyed reading these stories, despite the often depressing message. Often only a small glimpse of a character's life was given to the reader, and one never finds out what happened, but I found that rather interesting in this book, rather than frustrating. Though the world was bleak and there seemed to be little hope for any real connection with another person, the stories had a beauty to them.
I would recommend this book to anyone who also likes Saunders or even fans of Palahniuk, even though there are no repetitive mantras to hold on to in this collection. Except perhaps the knowledge that solitude is not the same as loneliness.
More...