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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have tried to write a singular review for short story collections before, but I have since realised that it’s a little ludicrous to do that. Each story is… its own story. It’d be like writing a review for a full series but not each individual book. So, I wrote my immediate thoughts about each story as and when I finished them.
My overall thoughts are, the tone stayed pretty consistent and entertaining throughout all these stories. They were all diabolical (in a good way). All felt very tongue in cheek. Some engaged me not so much. Some fizzled out with an ‘oooookay’. Some felt quite satisfying. The final one pained me, and I adored it. Overall, this was a very strong collection, collectively, though the individual stories did sometimes end a little anticlimactically.
Here are my detailed thoughts.
Bettering Myself
My overall thoughts are, the tone stayed pretty consistent and entertaining throughout all these stories. They were all diabolical (in a good way). All felt very tongue in cheek. Some engaged me not so much. Some fizzled out with an ‘oooookay’. Some felt quite satisfying. The final one pained me, and I adored it. Overall, this was a very strong collection, collectively, though the individual stories did sometimes end a little anticlimactically.
Here are my detailed thoughts.
Bettering Myself
This short story was 17 pages long and I laughed at least six separate times. This is PEAK Ottessa Moshfegh: gross and visceral, but exceedingly honest. It fills me with absolute glee. Absolutely bloody fantastic stuff. 4.0 stars.
Mr Wu
Still early on in this short story collection, but I really feel like this is a contender for one that would piss people off the most. Narratives told by creepy men who don’t know they’re creepy needs to become an entire genre (though I do prefer Moshfegh’s creepy female characters - or should I say, her women who are so entrenched in their own dismal, bleak life that the dismal bleakness comes a source of sometimes humour, sometimes neutrality). I’d be less likely to want a full length version of this story; the vignette tells enough. 3.5 stars.
Malibu
It’s during this short story that I realise Ottessa Moshfegh adopts a very, very similar voice for every type of character. Still, it’s a voice I never get bored of.
Wasn’t as struck on this story; was still mildly amused by it, though, and it of course had that Moshfegh quality. 3.25 stars.
The Weirdos
This is the most genius depiction of a self-obsessed, narcissistic, batshit man. I feel at a bit of a loose end since finishing, though. Maybe just too many separate threads that didn’t really get tied? Maybe too random? Not sure. Still really enjoyed this one though. 3.5 stars.
A Dark and Winding Road
Man, I have absolutely no idea. Not a clue. Didn’t much enjoy this one. 3.0 stars.
No Place For Good People
Loved this one. Still somewhat bleak, but through a positive light (?). Ottessa sets the scene so viscerally from the get go (though I’m now realising there’s an odd sexual/perverted component to all her stories). 3.75 stars.
Slumming
One of the best in this collection so far. Yet another masterclass in atmosphere and setting the scene, and Ottessa’s trademark apathetic-with-a-superiority-complex monologue is nailed. Good stuff. 4.0 stars
An Honest Woman
Another cracker. I take back my previous statement about Moshfegh doing women significantly better than men; she nails the creepy old man neighbour. 4.0 stars.
The Beach Boy
The best story yet. Documents a slow downward spiral (but also not really). 4.25 stars.
Nothing Ever Happens Here
Another cracker. Turns out Ottessa’s stories don’t need to be crude and dingy to be good; her vignettes are always viscerally honest and palpable. 4.0 stars.
Dancing in the Moonlight
Enjoyable. Probably one of the very few stories in this collection that ended with a real bang, rather than fizzling out. 3.75 stars.
The Surrogate
What more to say about these stories without repeating myself? Again, these are vignettes of the lives of disturbed but, relatively, ‘normal’, every day people. This was another. 3.75 stars.
The Locked Room
I normally shy away from short stories because I love a long-ass book and sprawling language. I really, really like to sink my teeth into something for weeks at a time. So far, this short story collection has felt like a satisfying snapshot that I often didn’t need more of. This is the case with this story, but still, seven pages long?! Not enough for any kind of solid rating. A hesitant 3.5 stars (but really not sure).
A Better Place
Wow. I mean, wow. Talk about ending with a bang! This was actually a really beautiful story. I usually feel like a voyeur when reading Moshfegh’s stories, or maybe like I’m observing the manifestation of all the detritus and pain of our humanity. This one spoke directly to me. It was sharp and witty, but ultimately painful and deeply intelligent. My favourite from this collection. Wow!
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think maybe I’m not so much a short story person. I found most of these to be pretty forgettable, and wasn’t fond of the regular use of the ‘r’ word throughout multiple of them.
Moshfegh is good at writing characters that are easy to dislike though, and sure does make bodies seem nasty and gross.
Moshfegh is good at writing characters that are easy to dislike though, and sure does make bodies seem nasty and gross.
girl why do u hate fat ppl so much it’s getting boring
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes