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cafardesque's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
3.0
soft_rains's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gabsalott13's review against another edition
5.0
It’s not often that you have the pleasure of reading a book written by one of your favorite teachers, but with Strangers to Temptation, this was my good fortune! Scott Gould’s thirteen stories are an intimate window into the life of boys just past innocence, but just short of understanding their world and how it works.
After reading these stories, you’ll find it to be no wonder that Scott is a high school teacher—only someone immersed in the worlds and perspectives of young people could write such a clued-in book about them. These stories possess a dry, situational humor that makes you feel like you’re part of an inside joke after each opening scene, and end with mid-action reflections that feel just right for the worldly knowledge you develop as a preteen.
I also really appreciated his candidness about the racial dynamics people his hometown experienced in the early 70’s. It's a very gutsy choice, to say the least—socioeconomic differences, school integration/privatization, and other hard topics are covered with a matter-of-factness that takes a whole lot of underlying poise. In our current political climate, there are constant talking points about white communities like those he describes in 1970s Kingstree, SC, but none are this honest, understanding, and respectful of Southerners.
As an instructor, Scott almost single-handedly taught us the great importance of writing about what you know. His own short story collection is proof of the revelatory surprises that can occur in the places where you think you’ve seen it all. Everyone should pick this up to feel a bit more nostalgic for their youth, connected to their hometown, and appreciative of our home state. :)
P.S. In addition to the INCREDIBLE [b:Whiskey & Ribbons|36139786|Whiskey & Ribbons|Leesa Cross-Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503938935s/36139786.jpg|57740792], Strangers to Temptation is now the second book I’ve had the pleasure of reading from Hub City Press in 2018. It’s probably safe to say that (admittedly) much too late, I’m becoming a huge fan of their books...
After reading these stories, you’ll find it to be no wonder that Scott is a high school teacher—only someone immersed in the worlds and perspectives of young people could write such a clued-in book about them. These stories possess a dry, situational humor that makes you feel like you’re part of an inside joke after each opening scene, and end with mid-action reflections that feel just right for the worldly knowledge you develop as a preteen.
I also really appreciated his candidness about the racial dynamics people his hometown experienced in the early 70’s. It's a very gutsy choice, to say the least—socioeconomic differences, school integration/privatization, and other hard topics are covered with a matter-of-factness that takes a whole lot of underlying poise. In our current political climate, there are constant talking points about white communities like those he describes in 1970s Kingstree, SC, but none are this honest, understanding, and respectful of Southerners.
As an instructor, Scott almost single-handedly taught us the great importance of writing about what you know. His own short story collection is proof of the revelatory surprises that can occur in the places where you think you’ve seen it all. Everyone should pick this up to feel a bit more nostalgic for their youth, connected to their hometown, and appreciative of our home state. :)
P.S. In addition to the INCREDIBLE [b:Whiskey & Ribbons|36139786|Whiskey & Ribbons|Leesa Cross-Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503938935s/36139786.jpg|57740792], Strangers to Temptation is now the second book I’ve had the pleasure of reading from Hub City Press in 2018. It’s probably safe to say that (admittedly) much too late, I’m becoming a huge fan of their books...
tacomike's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
marislawyer's review
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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