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caraem3's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jvilches's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thelonia's review against another edition
4.0
A Feast of Sorrows is a wonderfully gothic take on fairy tales that brings back stories that are familiar to aficionados of the genre as well as introduces a few new ones to delight the Angela Carter fan inside.
Read a full review at Quill & Slate:
http://quillandslate.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-feast-of-sorrows.html#more
Read a full review at Quill & Slate:
http://quillandslate.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-feast-of-sorrows.html#more
bibliocat08's review
4.0
This book of short stories made me feel many things. Most of them were a little sad which is probably appropriate given the title but all of these stories showcased the power of women and the many form it comes in. I recognized many of the stories from fairy tales and folk lore and really enjoyed Slatter's take on them especially when she smooshed them together with fairly seamless continuity.
This is my first time reading Angela Slatter but I really enjoyed her writing style so I am sure it won't be the last.
This is my first time reading Angela Slatter but I really enjoyed her writing style so I am sure it won't be the last.
ellelainey's review against another edition
2.0
Book – A Feast of Sorrows: Stories
Author – Angela Slatter
Star rating - ★★☆☆☆
No. of Pages – 304
Would I read it again – No.
Genre – Fantasy, Short Story, Fairy Tales, Collection, Anthology
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
This came labeled as a comic/graphic novel on Netgalley, so I'll admit that I'm a little disappointed to find that it's no such thing. It's actually a collection of stories, like any other novel/novella that collects various stories within its pages. There are no illustrations, no comic pages, nor any graphic novel material. It's an anthology of short stories within the 'fairy tales' theme.
I have to admit, though I was initially excited to read this book, I felt a sense of foreboding as I read the 'Introduction'. I didn't like the tone nor the constant lyrical waxing about the author. It didn't set me up well for the story. I don't want to be told that I'm going to fall under a spell or fall in love with the stories and the author before I've even started. I want to make up my own mind. And this Introduction just really rubbed me up the wrong way. Other people might love it and think it a fun little piece, but it made fun of the entire wicca belief system and the concepts of magic, sorcery and reading. It turned me off the book entirely, before I even got to the first story.
After that, unfortunately, things didn't get much better. I found myself bogged down in info dumps, bracketed excess information or jokes, and extra emphasis within quotation marks. I wasn't a fan of the writing style, especially as the stories were told in 1st person – my least favourite POV – and some switched between past and present tense. It was just too biographical and too choked with unimportant details for me to really get into any of the stories without wishing it would just get on with it.
There are some dark themes in here, too, which makes sense for dark fairytales, but I really wasn't expected to face themes of rape, incest or murder, without at least the slightest trigger warning. There's also themes of cheating and pedophilia. I certainly appreciated the appearance of a lesbian character, but wasn't thrilled by how she was portrayed.
Overall, this just wasn't the book or author for me.
Author – Angela Slatter
Star rating - ★★☆☆☆
No. of Pages – 304
Would I read it again – No.
Genre – Fantasy, Short Story, Fairy Tales, Collection, Anthology
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
This came labeled as a comic/graphic novel on Netgalley, so I'll admit that I'm a little disappointed to find that it's no such thing. It's actually a collection of stories, like any other novel/novella that collects various stories within its pages. There are no illustrations, no comic pages, nor any graphic novel material. It's an anthology of short stories within the 'fairy tales' theme.
I have to admit, though I was initially excited to read this book, I felt a sense of foreboding as I read the 'Introduction'. I didn't like the tone nor the constant lyrical waxing about the author. It didn't set me up well for the story. I don't want to be told that I'm going to fall under a spell or fall in love with the stories and the author before I've even started. I want to make up my own mind. And this Introduction just really rubbed me up the wrong way. Other people might love it and think it a fun little piece, but it made fun of the entire wicca belief system and the concepts of magic, sorcery and reading. It turned me off the book entirely, before I even got to the first story.
After that, unfortunately, things didn't get much better. I found myself bogged down in info dumps, bracketed excess information or jokes, and extra emphasis within quotation marks. I wasn't a fan of the writing style, especially as the stories were told in 1st person – my least favourite POV – and some switched between past and present tense. It was just too biographical and too choked with unimportant details for me to really get into any of the stories without wishing it would just get on with it.
There are some dark themes in here, too, which makes sense for dark fairytales, but I really wasn't expected to face themes of rape, incest or murder, without at least the slightest trigger warning. There's also themes of cheating and pedophilia. I certainly appreciated the appearance of a lesbian character, but wasn't thrilled by how she was portrayed.
Overall, this just wasn't the book or author for me.
driedfrogpills's review
4.0
If you like your fairy tales dark and filled with complex characters, you should check out Angela Slatter. I think my favorites were "Dresses, Three," "Light as Mist, Heavy as Hope," "Sister, Sister" and "The Coffin-Maker's Daughter," but they were all pretty awesome (also I love love love the title "St Dymphna's School for Poison Girls"). All feature women either as the main character or as an important influence on the main character, but these are not the stereotypical stock characters women play in fairy tales. No two-dimensional kind princess or evil step-mother here; instead, Slatter populates her tales with women driven by desire, by revenge, by anger or grief.
There is a lot of dark themes as Slatter doesn't shy away from brutalities - rape, murder, pedophilia, incest and infidelity are referenced in the stories. Her language is also pretty frank - no flowery folktales here - but it works perfectly with her stories. I wish I had had an audiobook copy, and I want to know if/how she's going to continue the last couple of stories. I seem to be on this trend of finding short story collections that are either linked or interconnected in some way. Is this some new-ish trend in short stories or am I just lucky/unlucky?
Here, the fact that all the stories seem to be set in the same world doesn't bother me quite as much as other collections have. It does make me want to reread these stories as well as Slatter's other collections to make sure I'm getting all the references, but (case in point since I haven't read all of them) not having read any of Slatter's other works in no way detracts from reading A Feast of Sorrows.
There's not always a satisfying conclusion, good doesn't always necessarily triumph or doesn't always succeed in ways you may think they will, but that's part of the dark charm. A collection of twisted stories that reminds me of Angela Carter's and some of Neil Gaiman's works.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for a review!
There is a lot of dark themes as Slatter doesn't shy away from brutalities - rape, murder, pedophilia, incest and infidelity are referenced in the stories. Her language is also pretty frank - no flowery folktales here - but it works perfectly with her stories. I wish I had had an audiobook copy, and I want to know if/how she's going to continue the last couple of stories. I seem to be on this trend of finding short story collections that are either linked or interconnected in some way. Is this some new-ish trend in short stories or am I just lucky/unlucky?
Here, the fact that all the stories seem to be set in the same world doesn't bother me quite as much as other collections have. It does make me want to reread these stories as well as Slatter's other collections to make sure I'm getting all the references, but (case in point since I haven't read all of them) not having read any of Slatter's other works in no way detracts from reading A Feast of Sorrows.
There's not always a satisfying conclusion, good doesn't always necessarily triumph or doesn't always succeed in ways you may think they will, but that's part of the dark charm. A collection of twisted stories that reminds me of Angela Carter's and some of Neil Gaiman's works.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for a review!
alexperc_92's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A praise to strong women as they live through fairy tales! Very emotional and provoking!
A praise to strong women as they live through fairy tales! Very emotional and provoking!
veevox's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lulustjames's review against another edition
3.0
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You know how most times, folks tell you not to judge a book by its cover, and it’s usually meant to encourage you to give things a try? Well, think of this as the opposite. The cover for A Feast of Sorrows by Angela Slatter is amazing. It is so creepy and inviting and wonderful looking; it seemed perfect for autumn. But, the stories within leave me wanting. They don’t drive me towards any strong feelings. They aren’t bad, they are good. They simply are.
I appreciate that all of the protagonists (not always the heroes) are women and that they need to be quick witted and strong in multiple ways. I loved that one of the characters that pops up in multiple short stories is a lesbian (though am horribly disappointed that she’s also shown to be equally as deviant as a pedophile mentioned in a latter story). So, why three stars? Because there were some real gems that had potential. I loved The Coffin-maker’s Daughter until we realize what sort of collection she holds (from a different story). I love the concept of there being a School for Poison Girls. Bluebeard’s Daughter was absolutely fantastic! But the rest, either seemed too identical to stories heard before (especially the Rumpelstiltskin ‘retelling’) or just didn’t seem to matter.
There is no doubt that she is a good author, A Feast of Sorrows by Angela Slatter simply did not capture my attention the way I wish it had. The way the cover made me wish to be whisked away by these short stories. If you’re looking for another collection of short stories and retellings that really left me with a great impression, perhaps try Sorrows and Wishes by Cindy Lynn Speer.
// I received this title for free //
madamepurpura's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.5