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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Really good. Standout stories here are “Victory Lap” “Escape From Spiderhead” and “Tenth of December”. Only the first approaches masterpiece in my mind, but Saunders’ specificity and move away from dystopian workplaces has served him well
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were definitely a coupld stories here I'd like to revisit and were thought provoking. Sanders has a skill for writing from the viewpoint of dramatically different characters.
Interesting stories, sad sometimes common theme (usually) of desperation and struggling, envy, never quite having "it"). Very unique at times, the stories are read by the author, who is able to inflect the right emotion and nuances into his character, though at times, usually at beginning of each story, tends to mumble a bit.
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Is it okay if I acknowledge the skill and wonder of these stories, but find them unreadable? The author’s well-established narrative voice style pervades—and I appreciate it—and the clever clutter is also great, reminding me of Transmetropolitan—but also reminding me of all the stories that were being handed around and lauded in my creative writing classes in college. We were Jeanette Winterson-ing and Don Delillo-ing our way towards profundity. Who’s that other one—Heartbreaking work guy. It’s all either genius or… sophomoric. Depending on how you feel. And today, in 2022, when I finally get around to reading Tenth of December? DNF. Not recommended.
Lincoln in the Bardo (smaller scope, longer work) is better.
Lincoln in the Bardo (smaller scope, longer work) is better.
George Saunders is a frickin' genius. The more I read him, the more I am completely bowled over. THE LAYERS, MAN, THE LAYERS.
Although I usually hate the stop-start rhythm of reading short story collections, I blazed through this. My favorite: The Semplica-Girls Diaries, written as the diary of a struggling, average, middle-class Dad who - to keep up with the Joneses - spends a bunch of money on hanging a few developing country women via a thin line threaded through their brains out in his yard ("It's painless."; apparently, in this near future America, it's a thing). Oh, the humanity! Oh, the economic woe! OH, THE HEARTACHE. So smart. Worked on so many levels.
An excerpt:
His writing is so rapid, smart, dare I say, PULSING WITH VITALITY. I feel like this man is several steps ahead. GENIUS, GEORGE.
You can probably find many of these stories with a quick Google, on the New Yorker website, but I won't link them. Because I want to give this man money. So much money!!! I will throw money at him to keep writing. And you should too.
Although I usually hate the stop-start rhythm of reading short story collections, I blazed through this. My favorite: The Semplica-Girls Diaries, written as the diary of a struggling, average, middle-class Dad who - to keep up with the Joneses - spends a bunch of money on hanging a few developing country women via a thin line threaded through their brains out in his yard ("It's painless."; apparently, in this near future America, it's a thing). Oh, the humanity! Oh, the economic woe! OH, THE HEARTACHE. So smart. Worked on so many levels.
An excerpt:
There is so much I want to do and experience and give to kids. Time going by so quickly, kids growing up so fast. If not now, when? When will we give them largesse and sense of generosity? Have never been to Hawaii or parasailed or eaten lunch at café by ocean, wearing floppy straw hats just purchased on whim. So I worry: Growing up in paucity, won’t they become too cautious? Not that they are growing up in paucity. Still, there are things we want but cannot have. If kids raised too cautious, due to paucity, will not world chew them up and spit out?
His writing is so rapid, smart, dare I say, PULSING WITH VITALITY. I feel like this man is several steps ahead. GENIUS, GEORGE.
You can probably find many of these stories with a quick Google, on the New Yorker website, but I won't link them. Because I want to give this man money. So much money!!! I will throw money at him to keep writing. And you should too.