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slowsho's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
thebearnest's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.75
sebmoya16's review against another edition
5.0
it’s a tragedy that Anthony won’t be able to continue his career.
when I first started this collection, I wasn’t sold that it was meant to be a “generation defining collection.” I had heard a lot of hype, but there was something intangible that was throwing me off. maybe i was uncomfortable with the themes, with the approach of the stories, or the style. Each individual story grew on me, and brought further into the world the author intended for us to experience (because understanding is hardly possible).
standing back and looking at the entire collection has left me empty and full. I’m left with the impression that few people of my generation have been able to successfully grapple with so many moving parts while leaving the reader with a sense of truth. there is honesty and vulnerability in all these stories. there’s pain and trauma seeping through the foundations of these characters that laughter attempts to cover up. this collection is what every good collection aspires to be: a spectrum of experiences that have many voices under one brilliant set of eyes, and honors them.
it’s a tragedy that Anthony wont be able to bring us further into his world. it’s all just pretty fucking tragic
when I first started this collection, I wasn’t sold that it was meant to be a “generation defining collection.” I had heard a lot of hype, but there was something intangible that was throwing me off. maybe i was uncomfortable with the themes, with the approach of the stories, or the style. Each individual story grew on me, and brought further into the world the author intended for us to experience (because understanding is hardly possible).
standing back and looking at the entire collection has left me empty and full. I’m left with the impression that few people of my generation have been able to successfully grapple with so many moving parts while leaving the reader with a sense of truth. there is honesty and vulnerability in all these stories. there’s pain and trauma seeping through the foundations of these characters that laughter attempts to cover up. this collection is what every good collection aspires to be: a spectrum of experiences that have many voices under one brilliant set of eyes, and honors them.
it’s a tragedy that Anthony wont be able to bring us further into his world. it’s all just pretty fucking tragic
labinsky's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
chiyeungreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
Crying
ryannreidreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Beautiful and hard. I learned a lot about Cambodian culture through this book. The last story was HARD as a teacher, though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Mass/school shootings, and War
waynediane's review against another edition
4.0
I thought the book gave a good perspective on being an immigrant from Cambodia, similar to the sympathizer etc. The problem I had was how much graphic detail into the sex between the multiple partners- I don't think that was necessary.
shannonigans322's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I usually struggle so hard with short story collections because I end up wanting more of certain characters and plotlines. This collection was no exception. I really appreciate the author's breadth of character types, as well as the fact that the emotional depth of the characters does not falter. I was deeply saddened to read of the author's passing in 2020, especially since he never got to see this debut published.
georgiagm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
winterrainreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5