julia_rose's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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beccaellison17's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
this book is just all violence 
i really hate the way he writes r
this book is so sinister 

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storyeatsmybrain's review against another edition

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dark sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A

3.5


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realslimschaefy's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense medium-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

2.5

This was the first of Raymond Carver’s fiction I had read, and I went into it with high expectations that were not met. I see the lure of this collection and the vignettes— being dropped into someone’s world, then quickly removed without being able to ask any questions or understand the full context. However, Carver’s writing to me was very dry and to-the-point, which I know many people appreciate; but, I am someone who likes more flowery and prosaic writing, so this felt dull and a bit boring for my tastes. Some of the stories have shock value, but most are nothing absolutely wild that you couldn’t find (although two endings made me feel absolutely sick!), with greater emotional detail, in other works. 

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katecuthbert's review against another edition

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challenging reflective tense medium-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

3.75


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jadecsc's review against another edition

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

3.5


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lghrndn's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

Bleak, misogynistic, violent, hopeless. Almost entirely devoid of any human connection. I guess I don't relate to middle-aged alcoholic men? Why Don't You Dance, The Bath, and the title story were the least insufferable.

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