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inconceivably's review against another edition
3.0
If you’re the type of reader that values style above all else? You should probably kick the elderly out of the way if it means getting to the bookstore faster. Otherwise…maybe skip it.
Check out the rest of my review on the blog!
Check out the rest of my review on the blog!
jonathanwlodarski's review against another edition
4.0
"Thunderstruck," the title (and final) story, did the dazzling and heavy lifting. It's magnificent and I would read it over and over. "Some Terpsichore" and "Something Amazing" are also really, really good. So that's three of the nine that impressed me.
But I got bored during some of the others: "The House of Two Three-Legged Dogs" and "Hungry" in particular felt a little slow and I struggled to get through them.
But it's still a great collection: three really good, four pretty good, and two that are okay.
4/5
But I got bored during some of the others: "The House of Two Three-Legged Dogs" and "Hungry" in particular felt a little slow and I struggled to get through them.
But it's still a great collection: three really good, four pretty good, and two that are okay.
4/5
bryceoc's review against another edition
4.0
I read Elizabeth McCracken's Thunderstruck right after finishing [b:Beneath the Bonfire: Stories|23014607|Beneath the Bonfire Stories|Nickolas Butler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416846902s/23014607.jpg|42580746], another collection of short stories. My main problem with that book was that, despite the good characters and writing, very few of the stories made an impact. With Thunderstruck, the opposite is true.
Almost every story was memorable, engaging and poignant. Every one of them had real weight in addition to great writing, and the collection never felt random, it made sense for these nine stories to be together. Highly recommended.
Almost every story was memorable, engaging and poignant. Every one of them had real weight in addition to great writing, and the collection never felt random, it made sense for these nine stories to be together. Highly recommended.
cmclarabee's review against another edition
4.0
I have a hard time reading short story collections because I always want to stay longer in a story once I get to know the characters. It feels like each one is over too soon, and then it's hard to switch gears and move on to the next one. Elizabeth McCracken handles her stories so expertly in Thunderstruck though, that their integrity as distinct, complete works is unassailable, and I could not beg her for a page or sentence more for any of them. She writes exactly as much (or as little) as she needs to to convey the poignancy of her characters' human foibles and the stark pain of their losses. After the first couple of stories I knew I was in good hands, and trusted her to lead the way down the path of each new narrative. Really well done.
lmg's review against another edition
5.0
A very good audiobook. The reader, Erin Yuen, does a fine job. All of the stories are so strong in this format, but the final one, Thunderstruck, is just devastating - and fantastic.
Oh, what an exquisite collection of stories! For me, all of Elizabeth McCracken's work is affecting on an emotional level. Her story lines, characters, and even her sentences, grab you by the guts and do not let go. This goes straight to the top of my Best of 2014 list.
Oh, what an exquisite collection of stories! For me, all of Elizabeth McCracken's work is affecting on an emotional level. Her story lines, characters, and even her sentences, grab you by the guts and do not let go. This goes straight to the top of my Best of 2014 list.
oliviasimone's review against another edition
3.0
Still trying to fall in love with short stories. Still being unsuccessful.
kelseyland's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A knockout collection of stories about trauma, grief, and getting by.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism and Medical trauma
ngerharter's review against another edition
4.0
Brutally honest and slicingly sharp, right to the heart of the human condition.
I'd forgotten that it's hard to listen to short stories - you want to listen to each piece in their entirety.
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2019 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge - Book with an author or title with Elizabeth, Eliza, Liza, or Liz.
I'd forgotten that it's hard to listen to short stories - you want to listen to each piece in their entirety.
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2019 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge - Book with an author or title with Elizabeth, Eliza, Liza, or Liz.
aschoonover's review against another edition
5.0
One-Sentence Take: Incisive and difficult, this book deftly explores the many forms loss can take.
Recommended for: People in a weird and sad mood looking for a book to match.
For my full review, see my blog https://inmatterandinmode.wordpress.com/.
Recommended for: People in a weird and sad mood looking for a book to match.
For my full review, see my blog https://inmatterandinmode.wordpress.com/.