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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Each of these stories is grim or depressing, either due to the plot or the realization that these characters' shameful traits exist in real life, and worse, possibly even in oneself. Yet the stories' shocking, sometimes gruesome, always unforgettable scenes and the creative delivery of ethical questions make them addicting and impossible to stop reading.
An engaging collection of well written short stories.
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
slow-paced
Everything that Rises must Converge tells the story of Julian and his mother, who is overweight and has to lose weight by going to a class. Since she doesn’t want to take the bus alone, Julian goes with her every Wednesday night. We follow them on their journey to the class.
This is probably not a story I would’ve picked up if it wasn’t for my class. The characters aren’t likeable at all. Julian is an asshole plain and simple; he treats his mother like shit. Even though that should make you feel bad for the womandon’t get me wrong, I kind of did, she’s also a very dislikeable character; she’s racist and treats dark-skinned people like they’re less than she is. To be fair, all the characters but Julian behave in this way, so I guess it isn’t too different in this scenario. Still, I hate reading about that. Julian reminds me of a child in the way he tries to challenge and annoy his mother 24/7. It was really hard for me to like him, since there seemed to be no reason for him to be behaving this way, especially because his mother did so much for him. The way it was good that he wanted her to get a lesson from this, but he could’ve phrased it SO much better. Seriously, how old is this dude? Such a child.
The ending of the book/novel/whatever was really weird too; It was weird. So all in all; not something I would pick up myself, with very dislikeable characters.
This is probably not a story I would’ve picked up if it wasn’t for my class. The characters aren’t likeable at all. Julian is an asshole plain and simple; he treats his mother like shit. Even though that should make you feel bad for the woman
Spoiler
he talked to her after she tried to give a penny to the dark-skinned kid was terrible again;The ending of the book/novel/whatever was really weird too;
Spoiler
I guess the shock killed her or something?
O’Conner is a gifted storyteller but she seems to have a issue with men in general. Every villain of every story is always a man. Odd.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The stories are beautifully written, even while a lot of their subjects are very ugly indeed. O'Connor reveals the sins and secrets that are so latent in her characters's hearts. There are often strong elements of irony and brutality. Through it all there are themes of parent/child conflict, racism, classism, and Christianity. Interestingly, I took a southern lit class in college and got through it without reading a single Flannery O'Connor story! How in the world did that happen?! I definitely look forward to reading more of her work.