Scan barcode
barktea's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
nottoolate's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
louzr's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
3.75
read: 01/10/23 - 08/10/23
This collection was an incredible, and often witty, commentary on many things, particularly racism, love, and over-consumption. The stories ranged from touching to disturbing. The most heart-aching for me was 'The Lion & The Spider', a story that initially seemed a little slower than the others but ended up having so much humanity sewn into it. There were some odder plots, namely 'Lark Street', that took a more abstract approach than the dystopia of the other tales, though I liked the occasional switch-up from slice-of-life to almost horror. It kept the stories varied and moving. Overall, despite some weaker stories (as is always the case with short-story collections), I thoroughly enjoyed Adjei-Brenyah's narrative in both its intelligence and its dark sense of humour.
This collection was an incredible, and often witty, commentary on many things, particularly racism, love, and over-consumption. The stories ranged from touching to disturbing. The most heart-aching for me was 'The Lion & The Spider', a story that initially seemed a little slower than the others but ended up having so much humanity sewn into it. There were some odder plots, namely 'Lark Street', that took a more abstract approach than the dystopia of the other tales, though I liked the occasional switch-up from slice-of-life to almost horror. It kept the stories varied and moving. Overall, despite some weaker stories (as is always the case with short-story collections), I thoroughly enjoyed Adjei-Brenyah's narrative in both its intelligence and its dark sense of humour.
ckkurata529's review
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shealennon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sarahmackenziey's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Cannibalism, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Death, Hate crime, and War
Minor: Domestic abuse
gotnoculture's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
agmaynard's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Strong story collection in the mostly speculative and dystopian vein. Very much examines the struggles of poor and disadvantaged people making hard choices among oppressive systems. Particularly powerful were The Finkelstein 5, Things My Mother Said, Lark Street, The Hospital Where, and Zimmer Land. Highly recommended.