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jamesdanielhorn's review against another edition
4.0
My Joy Williams journey continues! This is such a curious collection, but as usual with Ms. Williams, it’s always thought provoking and black humored as ever. These are the shortest of stories, sometimes only a sentence or two, yet somehow containing multitudes, and again I am in awe.
I’m so curious about how these were conceived. Are these vignettes sketches for abandoned short stories? The purest distillations of Joy’s offbeat short fiction? A book of jokes by one of americas best and most under appreciated writers? I say the latter as a bit of joke itself, but many of these read like a setup and punchline for an audience with the darkest of senses of humor. Particularly with the titles following the story the way they do here, which to me is another interesting choice.
I would almost say this might in some ways be the best way to introduce someone to her writing, as this does feel like the most concentrated reduction of her style, but it while some do contain the prose that drew me to her writing, there are many that are just so reduced there is no room for it.
This is however certainly the least challenging of her work I’ve read so far, and if you do choose to start here, and find this as enjoyable as I did, I implore you to read more, as there is work of hers so much more depth that is well worth your time. Viva Joy Williams!!
I’m so curious about how these were conceived. Are these vignettes sketches for abandoned short stories? The purest distillations of Joy’s offbeat short fiction? A book of jokes by one of americas best and most under appreciated writers? I say the latter as a bit of joke itself, but many of these read like a setup and punchline for an audience with the darkest of senses of humor. Particularly with the titles following the story the way they do here, which to me is another interesting choice.
I would almost say this might in some ways be the best way to introduce someone to her writing, as this does feel like the most concentrated reduction of her style, but it while some do contain the prose that drew me to her writing, there are many that are just so reduced there is no room for it.
This is however certainly the least challenging of her work I’ve read so far, and if you do choose to start here, and find this as enjoyable as I did, I implore you to read more, as there is work of hers so much more depth that is well worth your time. Viva Joy Williams!!
unidentifiedgemstone's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
geesammy's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
2.5
I don’t understand what the author is trying to convey - if this is about encountering God in everyday mundane circumstances or if it’s about God being irrelevant. I listened to it twice and while some vignettes felt more direct in expressing their point, most didn’t really land for me. It seemed mostly sporadic and esoteric and trying hard to be “deep,” so I guess I’m not smart or evolved enough to get it.
rebeccarennerfl's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! It's a bunch of vignettes, some irreverent, some poetic, others peculiar. Still, they make a cohesive whole. It's an easy ready, and it's something different. I highly recommend this book.
smalefowles's review
5.0
I loved this book. This is exactly the sort of slightly surreal but still emotionally stirring fiction that I crave, in tiny vignettes. Like George Saunders crossed with [b:The Book of Delights: Essays|38746152|The Book of Delights Essays|Ross Gay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545581290l/38746152._SX50_.jpg|60335246]. I had to make myself slow down so that I could enjoy it over a period of time.
mkayverse's review against another edition
2.0
i will admit that I did enjoy some of these stories and the means behind them. the humor in them was great and the details of them was amazing for them being so short. but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
600bars's review
5.0
my love and i took turns reading each little story out loud. what a sweet night i loved it. i love these very very short stories