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3.98 AVERAGE

mattymann77's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH

I can't rate this because I didn't finish it because it was boring

Interesting collection of short stories.
dark funny sad fast-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging dark reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I think reading the first one gave me a stroke
emotional funny reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I read this one twice - the first time after that gushing NYT magazine profile back when it came out, and again (actually listened to it the second time around) this summer. I very rarely read something twice but these stories are that good. Saunders captures the consciousness of his characters more effectively than anyone else I have read. This is what amazed me the most. The other remarkable thing is how almost to the one, the characters are pitiful and schlubby. But they are almost all sympathetic too. This balancing of the desperate and hopeful give the stories a moral sense and a very subtle optimism.

The shot stories were very heavy, and it was all kind of depressing. The writing style was pretty good, but I did not like the use of acronyms in the stories. For the most part, they were not explained, and I feel like they were only there to give the story a more futuristic feel.

Fucking amazing. I read "Semplica Girl Diaries" in the past and was totally blown away by it. I read it twice. I wanted to revisit George Saunders soon, but I'm always busy with assigned books for school.

In Survey of Brit. Lit II, my professor talked about Saunders short story "The Falls" calling it one of the most amazing short stories of this century, etc. He calls Saunders a blend of the tragic and absurd.
I would readily agree with this.

My favorite things about Saunders are the stream-of-consciousness writing style the sci-fi elements that don't feel forced or too expository. It always takes a while to figure out just what the fuck is going on, and by the time you do, the story is almost over. I re-read Saunders work immediately after finishing it, something I seriously don't do. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: N/A
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated