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ksprokes's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hfriend33's review
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
These stories are intriguing and surprising. I enjoyed the characters and the care taken to develop their motives. I am looking forward to reading more Millet books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
chelseamartinez's review
3.0
Seems appropriate that I checked out this book---short stories about people intersecting with the Los Angeles real estate market---from the Palm Springs library; it seemed like the whole library itself was happy enough to cater to an LA visitor contingent, which is very nice of them (and they had a LOT of new fiction; money definitely does flow to Palm Springs via LA, but I wouldn't expect/haven't encountered the same level of friendliness with my LA driver's license in the OC, where that is also true!)
Anyhow, these stories have that format that screenwriters love (see Crash, Short Cuts, Pulp Fiction); a series of detailed glimpses into the lives of individuals with whom we cross paths one or two or three times later. I thought I was the first person to check this book out, as the dust jacket was pristine, but on one of the first pages, someone wrote, in pen, in cursive, "what a useless book this is". Rude, right? Like, what book of short stories would satisfy the person who would do this in a library book?
Anyhow, the book only veers into an Aimee Bender-ish HGTV-magical realism in one story, and when that part comes back later it reminds you how that part sticks out a bit awkwardly. Still, it was interesting to see how by the third time some characters returned I felt a real fondness toward them.
Anyhow, these stories have that format that screenwriters love (see Crash, Short Cuts, Pulp Fiction); a series of detailed glimpses into the lives of individuals with whom we cross paths one or two or three times later. I thought I was the first person to check this book out, as the dust jacket was pristine, but on one of the first pages, someone wrote, in pen, in cursive, "what a useless book this is". Rude, right? Like, what book of short stories would satisfy the person who would do this in a library book?
Anyhow, the book only veers into an Aimee Bender-ish HGTV-magical realism in one story, and when that part comes back later it reminds you how that part sticks out a bit awkwardly. Still, it was interesting to see how by the third time some characters returned I felt a real fondness toward them.
kiramke's review
3.0
3-4 More a novel than a collection of short stories, not just because they are interconnected but because they progress in time and narrative. Still, I suppose I would expect more resolution in a novel. This is sharp, compassionate writing, full of questions.
demimancy's review
4.0
Phew, what a wild, fraught, emotional experience. What a wonderful short story collection, full of compelling characters and a delightful narrative twist in the middle. Can’t wait to talk about this one.
britakate's review
I didn't realize these stories were linked until the third or fourth one - a pleasant surprise. Judging by the Goodreads opinions of her last two novels - both of which I thoroughly enjoyed - Millet is a divisive figure. Some reviewers find her "too clever," which seems weirdly offensive to me. This collection is front-loaded with some mildly obscene material that sensitive readers may find off-putting, but I would urge them to push through, as the stories become increasingly subtle. My two favorite pieces come from the perspective of an extremely self-aware older woman, whose bittersweet insights on aging seem spot-on to me. ("She'd held it as an article of faith that distance gave you insight. But distance gave you distance.")
mikaiya's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to this for an unbiased review. I've read Millet's Sweet Lamb of Heaven and remember being impressed with how eerie and substantial her writing is, and how no matter the topic she can turn an everyday encounter into something mysterious and off-kilter. I was curious how this story collection would work, and should have expected an equally strange and fascinating world. I was not expecting the stories to be so interconnected, and it took me a few to realize all the characters were interconnected, but then I was fully along for the ride with her at-times too-real local residents. I was particularly impressed by how different the characters were (the step-dad, the wounded girl(s?)) and yet how much they all shared a similar sense of overwhelmed inability to make their world be what they wanted it to be. Without spoiling the ending, I wondered at the end if we aren't all wandering the neighborhood, unaware of the time as it passes. The more I think on this book, the more it horrifies and delights me. Definitely a worthy read!
derelictvessel's review
5.0
Though this book is sold as a collection of stories that is not what I would call it. It is a collection of people, each having a few chapters in the lime light, their stories wrapped around each other so tightly that they blend together.
You watch characters grow, you are put in the mind of a depraved man, you see how all stories influence each other.
My favorite chapters are
The Fall of Berlin
Fight No More
Oh Child of Earth
My favorite character is Aleska
You watch characters grow, you are put in the mind of a depraved man, you see how all stories influence each other.
My favorite chapters are
The Fall of Berlin
Fight No More
Oh Child of Earth
My favorite character is Aleska