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viewtoakel's review against another edition
4.0
This should have been titled 'Vile People' because these stories tell of vile men, women and children. The most uncomfortable part of this being that, in many instances, it was fairly easy to relate the ugliness in some of these characters. Parts of this collection really leave an impression and forced me to really think about how we approach things in life like love, sex, anger, violence, survival and the judgement of people who try but fail to hide who they really are.
jeff_e79's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
evavroslin's review against another edition
5.0
*** Review copy from the library ***
A few people recommended "Vile Men," a short story collection by Canadian author Rebecca Jones-Howe, when it first came out at the end of last year and they mentioned how impressed they were with the writing, so I recently had the occasion to read it and I’m glad I did. Far from being simply a short story collection that revolves around the theme of terrible things happening to women, the stories are a heady mix of different perspectives that will have you reeling after you’ve finished each one. It’s a quick read, but these stories are very heavy and will definitely make an impact on you.
One of the things that stuck out most about this collection for me is how painfully accurate the author's depictions were when it came to the decay of relationships between couples who have been together for a while. It's inescapable in some ways, but there's nothing sadder than one person in the relationship who is still completely head-over-heels for their partner but the other person hasn't reciprocated that in a while.
The unifying thread of the entire collection is how unflinching and honest these stories are. They are raw. The author does not hold back her punches. At all. They are devastating and they can contain many triggers for women, but they are a fascinating look at what happens when characters do the things they know they are not supposed to, but they do them anyway and cross the lines into the furthest reaches of themselves, which makes for a gripping and fascinating book.
I would not classify this book as a horror collection, but many fans of horror, mystery and suspense will enjoy it. Others still who like contemporary pieces of women's fiction that are the furthest thing from romance will also enjoy this book. But really, anyone who wants a substantive collection of short stories that explores the furthest depths of the human psyche needs to pick this book up. It is a book that will challenge you as a reader. It is not easy to get through, but ultimately it provides a cathartic reading experience.
A few people recommended "Vile Men," a short story collection by Canadian author Rebecca Jones-Howe, when it first came out at the end of last year and they mentioned how impressed they were with the writing, so I recently had the occasion to read it and I’m glad I did. Far from being simply a short story collection that revolves around the theme of terrible things happening to women, the stories are a heady mix of different perspectives that will have you reeling after you’ve finished each one. It’s a quick read, but these stories are very heavy and will definitely make an impact on you.
One of the things that stuck out most about this collection for me is how painfully accurate the author's depictions were when it came to the decay of relationships between couples who have been together for a while. It's inescapable in some ways, but there's nothing sadder than one person in the relationship who is still completely head-over-heels for their partner but the other person hasn't reciprocated that in a while.
The unifying thread of the entire collection is how unflinching and honest these stories are. They are raw. The author does not hold back her punches. At all. They are devastating and they can contain many triggers for women, but they are a fascinating look at what happens when characters do the things they know they are not supposed to, but they do them anyway and cross the lines into the furthest reaches of themselves, which makes for a gripping and fascinating book.
I would not classify this book as a horror collection, but many fans of horror, mystery and suspense will enjoy it. Others still who like contemporary pieces of women's fiction that are the furthest thing from romance will also enjoy this book. But really, anyone who wants a substantive collection of short stories that explores the furthest depths of the human psyche needs to pick this book up. It is a book that will challenge you as a reader. It is not easy to get through, but ultimately it provides a cathartic reading experience.
keledae's review against another edition
4.0
My actual rating for this book would fall somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.
This book was not at all what expected. Instead of dark stories about or from the viewpoint of men commiting extremely heinous acts. And while you do get that (Better Places) in a few of the pieces, the overall offering is the much more mundane darkness that you find in people. Dissatisfied husbands, addicts, parents that don't pay enough attention to their kids, and some of the stories are really just slivers of a mental bad day. The stories are very well written and for the most part engaging, and certainly worth the read. I would have used a different story to end the collection on, but overall a worthwhile read.
This book was not at all what expected. Instead of dark stories about or from the viewpoint of men commiting extremely heinous acts. And while you do get that (Better Places) in a few of the pieces, the overall offering is the much more mundane darkness that you find in people. Dissatisfied husbands, addicts, parents that don't pay enough attention to their kids, and some of the stories are really just slivers of a mental bad day. The stories are very well written and for the most part engaging, and certainly worth the read. I would have used a different story to end the collection on, but overall a worthwhile read.
exorcismofemilyreed's review against another edition
4.0
"There's a certain kind of man who goes for damaged girls."
Vile Men is a collection of 14 dark short stories, and it was so much fun to read. The stories are intense, unsettling, and haunting. I wouldn't classify these as horror, but they are still quite grim.
A lot of this book is focused on sex, and different emotions that come along with it - some stories are funny, some are horrifying, some are sad, etc. It's an intriguing way to deal with the topic.
The title "Vile Men" comes from a quote in the book; however, not only men are vile in this book. Some are just normal characters, and it's the women who are vile.
My top 5 stories in this book are Paper Bag Princess, Blue Hawaii, Grin on the Rocks, Better Places, and Cat Calls. All of these are going to stick with me, and I can't wait to read more from this author!
Vile Men is a collection of 14 dark short stories, and it was so much fun to read. The stories are intense, unsettling, and haunting. I wouldn't classify these as horror, but they are still quite grim.
A lot of this book is focused on sex, and different emotions that come along with it - some stories are funny, some are horrifying, some are sad, etc. It's an intriguing way to deal with the topic.
The title "Vile Men" comes from a quote in the book; however, not only men are vile in this book. Some are just normal characters, and it's the women who are vile.
My top 5 stories in this book are Paper Bag Princess, Blue Hawaii, Grin on the Rocks, Better Places, and Cat Calls. All of these are going to stick with me, and I can't wait to read more from this author!
nbspacegay's review
2.0
Much of it was boring, some of it was disgusting, a few of the stories were unintentionally funny. Be prepared to see "flinching fingers" a lot by the last four stories I kind of wanted to dig out my eyes every time I read that.
eastofreaden's review
1.0
There are spoilers in this review, as well as references to sexual assault. If you're sensitive to that, please move past this review.
I was incredibly disappointed with this book. The title and synopsis are incredibly misleading. I was expecting a collection of relatable short stories in which, as the title suggest, men were vile – sort of a celebration of women overcoming issues caused by and interfered with by men. But instead I got a collection of short stories where one girl masturbates while people browse at the sex shop she runs (and she subsequently uses a log of fucking salami, and films it for a customer) and another where the female character is trying to survive a zombie apocalypse and she’s taken in by a man only to be repeatedly raped by him and the men that he sells her to. I wanted to DNF this book, but it was short enough for me to just power through. At least now it’s off my shelf and I know to avoid this writer in the future.
I was incredibly disappointed with this book. The title and synopsis are incredibly misleading. I was expecting a collection of relatable short stories in which, as the title suggest, men were vile – sort of a celebration of women overcoming issues caused by and interfered with by men. But instead I got a collection of short stories where one girl masturbates while people browse at the sex shop she runs (and she subsequently uses a log of fucking salami, and films it for a customer) and another where the female character is trying to survive a zombie apocalypse and she’s taken in by a man only to be repeatedly raped by him and the men that he sells her to. I wanted to DNF this book, but it was short enough for me to just power through. At least now it’s off my shelf and I know to avoid this writer in the future.
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