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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Did not know what the f was going on for many of these stories. He said in the interview in the back that he starts with a sentence and sees where it takes him. That very accurately describes this book and I didn’t always like it. Definitely gotta give a lot of credit for the uniqueness and the underlying creepy vibe that subtly nagged at you.
For many years I've said I don't like short stories. I've been proven wrong occasionally but never so spectacularly.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was not for me. Maybe I’m too stupid to get it. Who knows?
Well at first I thought it was the strangest book I have ever read, but I ended up fascinated by each story and its characters. It is definitely well written. I found myself rereading it before I even finished it. I'm glad I gave it a chance, but I know it won't appeal to everyone.
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I did enjoy these stories and found them to be quite funny, but didn’t love them all, hence the 3.75 stars.
I have been meaning to read George Saunders for a while and didn’t expect to find his writing to dark, yet emotional, yet… I already said this but genuinely funny. At times Black Mirror-esque in the use of technology and it’s dark influence on everyday life, this book also really reminded me of Chain Gang All-Stars and then I found out he was a mentor for that book and clearly leant some of his ideas to it!!!! So!!! I respect that and appreciate it. Indeed my favorite two stories were the ones most connected with that book (Escape from Spiderhead in which incarcerated people are subjected to controlled harm for the sake of a broader purpose that doesn’t see their humanity, and The Semplica Girl Diaries which describes people linked together in a “chain gang” and also speaks of rich people using those in desperate situations for their own entertainment)
Anyways, yeah. These were fun. I enjoyed and at times was uncomfortable, which I’m sure was the point.
I have been meaning to read George Saunders for a while and didn’t expect to find his writing to dark, yet emotional, yet… I already said this but genuinely funny. At times Black Mirror-esque in the use of technology and it’s dark influence on everyday life, this book also really reminded me of Chain Gang All-Stars and then I found out he was a mentor for that book and clearly leant some of his ideas to it!!!! So!!! I respect that and appreciate it. Indeed my favorite two stories were the ones most connected with that book (Escape from Spiderhead in which incarcerated people are subjected to controlled harm for the sake of a broader purpose that doesn’t see their humanity, and The Semplica Girl Diaries which describes people linked together in a “chain gang” and also speaks of rich people using those in desperate situations for their own entertainment)
Anyways, yeah. These were fun. I enjoyed and at times was uncomfortable, which I’m sure was the point.
dark
funny
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book as a whole: so, so good—each of these stories is told from a unique perspective that is both incredibly eloquent yet, when necessary, speaks to the heart of any ordinary person.
“Tenth of December”—this story was (possibly) my favorite in the collection; it had me tearing up.
“Tenth of December”—this story was (possibly) my favorite in the collection; it had me tearing up.
Saunders work is an anomaly to all the rules of writing and story telling. Tenth of December establishes intricacy within the straightforward prose that gracefully flows. Each story is diverse with characters, conflict, plot, and dramatic structure while Saunders’ tone and diction holds consistency throughout each narrative.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
Great book of short stories about human nature. In each story you hear a persons thoughts as they go trough a series of events. The little girl alone at home. The veteran just home from war. The mother on her way to pick up a little puppy with her children. Often people looking either up or down at the people that surround them. Many of the stories surround poverty or a wish for riches. It’s talent to be able to write voices/minds so distinctive.
Many trigger warnings. The main characters are not always good people. There ischild abduction, rape, murder, child cruelty, racism, depression
Many trigger warnings. The main characters are not always good people. There is
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Suicide attempt
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, War