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vivparr's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
julibug86's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved this! Great book of empowering female based literature compiled in short vignettes, with all the characters related to each other in some way or another. Reminded me of A Visit from the Goon Squad or Olive Kitteridge in the structure, but the stories are uniquely their own. She had a great writing voice and I'd love to see a complete novel on one character from her.
amydiscenza's review against another edition
4.0
I loved these stories--perfectly flawed female characters.
theverbalthing's review against another edition
4.0
"...there is no such thing as just a girl." What a poignant ending to such a wonderfully interconnected collection of short stories. I loved this.
courtthebookgirl's review against another edition
4.0
A great read for those why enjoy short stories- well-written, and thought-provoking.
kellyhitchcock's review against another edition
3.0
Again - 3 stars means fixed feelings.
The stories jumped back and forth between characters, but I didn't realize this until about 30% through, when Charlotte was suddenly in another story. In the audio version, the story breaks were not all that clear either, so it was difficult to follow.
That said, most of the stories were visceral women's issues with a strong narrative. Like any short story collection, there were stories I got into more than others, but the collection as a whole was very strong. Schappell's powers of observation are strong, I only wish I was able to better orient myself to the revisited characters in time.
The stories jumped back and forth between characters, but I didn't realize this until about 30% through, when Charlotte was suddenly in another story. In the audio version, the story breaks were not all that clear either, so it was difficult to follow.
That said, most of the stories were visceral women's issues with a strong narrative. Like any short story collection, there were stories I got into more than others, but the collection as a whole was very strong. Schappell's powers of observation are strong, I only wish I was able to better orient myself to the revisited characters in time.
mactammonty's review against another edition
5.0
I loved how all of the stories tied together. These are short stories that are spaced out over three generations. Each story highlights little pieces of that generations difficulties of being female in a society that does not value being female.
As with all short story collections there are ones that are favourites and ones that are not. I am going to leave that up to other readers to decide on their own. The over all collection is definitely worth the read.
Highly recommend
As with all short story collections there are ones that are favourites and ones that are not. I am going to leave that up to other readers to decide on their own. The over all collection is definitely worth the read.
Highly recommend
dagdraumar's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed Blueprints for Building Better Girls. It's heartbreaking, exciting, sad, terrible, wonderful, and everything in between. Stories about women of (almost) all ages: from teenagers to middleaged. Different life stories and experiences, and some of the characters are intertwined into each others stories. I had no idea what the book was about before beginning to read it, and I'm kind of glad I didn't know. Made it somewhat more exciting to read, I guess. I probably would have enjoyed it anyway, though.
debldroege's review against another edition
4.0
A friend recommended this book to me based on my mentioning Lorrie Moore and Curtis Sittenfeld as authors I enjoyed. Basically, I said I enjoyed popular fiction by female authors with a literary edge. After reading Blueprints for Building Better Girls, I can see why he recommended Elissa Schappell to me. At times, the book is both humorous and heart-aching. The stories delivered what the back cover promised: so many of the stories resonated with me. The stories of high school and college age women reminded me of myself and women I knew at that time. The stories about married women and mothers made me think of older women I know and wonder about the life to come, about paths not taken. As someone who probably empathizes too much with books, it resonated so strongly with me that I felt a little downtrodden and sad for the woman I was and so many I've seen. I would have liked to see a little more hope (as I often do with books), but I understand this is not that kind of book. If you're looking for a light read, this might be too heavy. But if you're looking for a window into the lives of certain kinds of women, then take a peek. Despite the mood I felt settle on me while I was reading this, I am happy to have read it. Happy to know other women have shared similar thoughts and experiences. If the book does not meet the literary goal of amusement, it definitely meets the goal of allowing the reader to feel a shared experience.
mhall's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. Themes I remember from this collection of stories: being a high school outcast, motherhood, old dogs who develop health problems, abortion, rape, dementia. Women's fiction, about difficult stuff. The narrators are friends and relatives who show up in each other's stories.