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caitlind14's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
veelaughtland's review
2.0
2.5 stars.
I liked the format of this collection - a mix of general short stories, interspersed with genuine flash fiction which was something I hadn't read before and really enjoyed the experience of. If a short story can knock me out in a single page, then that will wow me.
Sadly I didn't really warm to this collection. Although I enjoyed the more supernatural element to some of the stories, and I felt that some of them had some very clever ideas and were fresh and interesting, I found the majority of them to be completely unmemorable. I felt myself zoning out as I flipped through most of the pages, and I didn't really understand the point of some of the stories I was reading. Which was a shame, because McClory for sure has a way with words.
I guess this one just wasn't really for me.
I liked the format of this collection - a mix of general short stories, interspersed with genuine flash fiction which was something I hadn't read before and really enjoyed the experience of. If a short story can knock me out in a single page, then that will wow me.
Sadly I didn't really warm to this collection. Although I enjoyed the more supernatural element to some of the stories, and I felt that some of them had some very clever ideas and were fresh and interesting, I found the majority of them to be completely unmemorable. I felt myself zoning out as I flipped through most of the pages, and I didn't really understand the point of some of the stories I was reading. Which was a shame, because McClory for sure has a way with words.
I guess this one just wasn't really for me.
aligeorge's review
4.0
This is a lovely collection of stories which juxtaposes the weird and wonderful with the ordinary. Stand out stories for me were probably Pecan Pie and A Short History of Creation. I also liked Unspoken a lot, although I almost wish it wasn't a flash fiction story because I'd like to find out more about the characters introduced there! Helen McClory has a unique and wonderful writing voice, and I'm interested to see what she does next. In the meantime, if you're looking for literary short stories you should check out On The Edges of Vision.
sim97's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
The first time I read this, I recall enjoying it but wanting a second read to consolidate my thoughts. That was many years ago. Reading it this time I’m not sure about it. Apart from a handful of stories, so much of it didn’t stay with me. I don’t know if the stories were too abstract or I was reading it at the wrong time, in the wrong setting. Debating whether to shelve it and give it another read later before deciding whether to keep it or not.
lisciareads's review against another edition
4.0
A truly unique voice
Favourite stories: Pretty Dead Girl Takes a Break, Pecan Pie, Man and What, Unspoken
Favourite stories: Pretty Dead Girl Takes a Break, Pecan Pie, Man and What, Unspoken
babelbard's review against another edition
dark
slow-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
heatherreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The problem, if there is one, with On the Edges of Vision is the one recommendation I had heard before reading it. That was that for all it's wildness and wonderfulness, it's ultimately indescribable. Now that I've finished, I'm finding it difficult to put it into words adequately, which is rather useless for a review, isn't it?
But I'll try...
The one thing I have always said about writing is that if it makes you feel something, good or bad, it's doing something right. I've travelled about every stop on the spectrum of being creeped out, feeling uncertain and unsettled in this short story collection.
It's the monsters we fear, the monsters that live in us, the devil, the phobias, the cutting a hand off and pretending it's ham for a sandwich. It is weird, warped and utterly brilliant. Some stories pass you by in the blink of an eye, one or two pages that just leave this unsettling feeling tingling up your spine.
I mean, as a general scaredy cat, I prefer books to make me feel happy and excited so I don't need to deal with the oddity of curling my toes at a turn of phrase that's just really vivid and horrifying at all once.
For something indescribable I sure am rambling. Helen's writing is so wonderful, I feel like she brings some odd life to the most mundane and normal things in life, so when it comes to something spectacular or otherworldly, her writing is off the charts. There's no real limit to it. It's a disservice to do it story-by-story, and while I do have some favourites, overall it's a wild ride of 30+ stories that are probably unlike anything you've read before.
But I'll try...
The one thing I have always said about writing is that if it makes you feel something, good or bad, it's doing something right. I've travelled about every stop on the spectrum of being creeped out, feeling uncertain and unsettled in this short story collection.
It's the monsters we fear, the monsters that live in us, the devil, the phobias, the cutting a hand off and pretending it's ham for a sandwich. It is weird, warped and utterly brilliant. Some stories pass you by in the blink of an eye, one or two pages that just leave this unsettling feeling tingling up your spine.
I mean, as a general scaredy cat, I prefer books to make me feel happy and excited so I don't need to deal with the oddity of curling my toes at a turn of phrase that's just really vivid and horrifying at all once.
For something indescribable I sure am rambling. Helen's writing is so wonderful, I feel like she brings some odd life to the most mundane and normal things in life, so when it comes to something spectacular or otherworldly, her writing is off the charts. There's no real limit to it. It's a disservice to do it story-by-story, and while I do have some favourites, overall it's a wild ride of 30+ stories that are probably unlike anything you've read before.
christiemackie's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.5. The writing was absolutely stunning, but I would have preferred a clearer narrative in some of the stories - just personal preference.
cerisanne's review against another edition
4.0
Short story collections aren't usually my thing, but I really enjoyed On the Edges of Vision. I've read it over the course of several months, going through a few stories each time I picked the book up. It's wonderfully unsettling throughout, with each short piece offering fully formed characters and tales despite their lengths.
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