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prism_'s review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Sexual content, Homophobia, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
lidia7's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Rape
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Medical content
Minor: Abortion and Suicide attempt
takarakei's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I am not a big short story reader as I typically like to spend a whole book getting to know characters. However Lily King is one of my favorite authors so I had to give these a try. I certainly enjoyed some stories more than others. I like King’s writing style as she has a great ability to paint a scene and conjure nostalgia. I personally liked the titular story the most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Medical trauma, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Medical content, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Minor: Body horror and Abortion
I seriously recommend skipping the first story Creature if concerned aboutbella_cavicchi's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I've recommended Lily King's wonderful Writers & Lovers more times than I can count. Her writing appears effortless, and I think she has a real knack for crafting characters that are as flawed as you and me because ... that's being human! The same is true in her short story collection, which houses many, many a gem. (I mean, "When in the Dordogne"! Just excellent.)
I appreciate another reviewer who noted that the nostalgia in which these stories seep -- they are all set in a somewhat distant past of the 50s-90s -- also captures a distinct culture of whiteness. And while I don't think that's a "bad" thing (that is, that it is a collection of white stories), finishing it has me interrogating once again the "classic" literary style/tradition it seeks to emulate. If you pick it up -- and I hope you do! -- I urge you to do the same.
I appreciate another reviewer who noted that the nostalgia in which these stories seep -- they are all set in a somewhat distant past of the 50s-90s -- also captures a distinct culture of whiteness. And while I don't think that's a "bad" thing (that is, that it is a collection of white stories), finishing it has me interrogating once again the "classic" literary style/tradition it seeks to emulate. If you pick it up -- and I hope you do! -- I urge you to do the same.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, Death of parent, Death, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism
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