Scan barcode
amirahazhar's review against another edition
4.0
My second Carmen Maria Machado book, and she's yet to disappoint.
mariam_mik's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
lisaroystoj's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
3.5
A few of the stories hit better than some. But definitely enjoy Machado's writing and excited to see what she does next.
erinastin's review against another edition
3.0
This was a mixed bag for me. Carmen Maria Machado is a FANTASTIC writer and I would love to live inside her brain for a day just to soak up an ounce of her brilliance. I enjoyed most of the stories, but the Law and Order: SVU one dragged on soooo long that it left a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the book.
lucakocsis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It is quite hard to rate this book overall, since the short stories were very different in terms of style and quality. They were really hit or miss for me personally, the first story (The Husband Stitch) being the weakest one out of all. It felt like something I've read a million times from other authors and it had nothing interesting to say. However I really enjoyed Inventory, Especially Heinous, Eight Bites and Difficult at Parties. Those ones had a very unique writing style and interesting perspective on storytelling.
I just wish there was more balance and consistency between the stories, especially in levels of disturbance. It's definitely not a scary type of horror so if someone is looking for that, it's not the right book. However they're all excellent at making you wildly uncomfortable so I'll give that to the author.
Overall I enjoyed this book more than I didn't but it hasn't wowed me completely.
I just wish there was more balance and consistency between the stories, especially in levels of disturbance. It's definitely not a scary type of horror so if someone is looking for that, it's not the right book. However they're all excellent at making you wildly uncomfortable so I'll give that to the author.
Overall I enjoyed this book more than I didn't but it hasn't wowed me completely.
abbeydell's review against another edition
idk....just couldn't bring myself to pick it back up & it was overdue @ the Library™️. .............feel like ive just been in major need of "light" reads, easy pure entertainment lol
whtbout2ndbrkfst's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
abiaustin's review against another edition
3.0
The Husband Stitch 2.5/5
Inventory 3.5/5
Mothers 4/5
Especially Heinous 1/5
Real Women Have Bodies 3/5
Eight Bites 4/5
The Resident 4.5/5
Difficult at Parties 3.5/5
Inventory 3.5/5
Mothers 4/5
Especially Heinous 1/5
Real Women Have Bodies 3/5
Eight Bites 4/5
The Resident 4.5/5
Difficult at Parties 3.5/5