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peelspls's review against another edition
5.0
Profound collection
I learned a lot about Valente's style through this collection. Her poetry was so much more effective at narrative. But some of the novellas (Silently and Very Fast) tackled really hard conceptual themes as well.
Valente's style of a fairy tale/mythological story weaving itself through the day to day of mundane life is a huge inspiration for my style and how I started writing in the first place. No notes. Great unblocker for a reading slump. I just wish some of the stories felt more complete, and some were sketches of a concept.
I learned a lot about Valente's style through this collection. Her poetry was so much more effective at narrative. But some of the novellas (Silently and Very Fast) tackled really hard conceptual themes as well.
Valente's style of a fairy tale/mythological story weaving itself through the day to day of mundane life is a huge inspiration for my style and how I started writing in the first place. No notes. Great unblocker for a reading slump. I just wish some of the stories felt more complete, and some were sketches of a concept.
moonpie's review against another edition
4.0
I love Valente's style! The Bread We Eat in Dreams is a solid collection. In addition to short stories and a novella, it contains some poetry selections, and honestly after I slogged through the first one, I skipped or skimmed the rest, but I savored most of the stories that were included. Some landed better than others -- it's harder for me to enjoy short stories if I can't slide into them fairly quickly, and a couple of the more stylized stories (like "One Breath, One Stroke") didn't work for me because of that.
But overall, between the rich landscape of Valente's myth- and fairy-tale-fueled imagination and her lovely writing, I'm happy I picked this one up. The stories that were good were very, very good. I'll have to read my copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland... soon.
(three-and-a-half stars)
But overall, between the rich landscape of Valente's myth- and fairy-tale-fueled imagination and her lovely writing, I'm happy I picked this one up. The stories that were good were very, very good. I'll have to read my copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland... soon.
(three-and-a-half stars)
qalminator's review against another edition
2.0
An odd mix. There were a few I really like, a few that were interesting, and a few that just did nothing for me.
I really liked The Consultant, but its tone/topic created an expectation for the other stories, as it felt very much like an intro. The expectation was not met, and I was rather disappointed by this.
I also can recommend the title story (The Bread We Eat in Dreams*). It's a very nice take on the witchcraft/demon mythos.
Fade To White* was an interesting atomic '50's dystopia. Worth reading.
Aeromaus focuses on the ways words and meanings can change.
One Breath, One Stroke is a fascinating cross-world identity parable.
We Without Us Were Shadows* has the premise that the Bronte sisters (and brother) discovered that their play-fiction world was real. Rather interesting.
The Room is a quirky story about a room that just shows up in houses, etc.
Silently and Very Fast* explores the growth of an AI through lived story-experience.
The rest I either didn't care for, or didn't leave a lasting impression.
*Indicates a title that is available to read for free online as of 2016.05.24
I really liked The Consultant, but its tone/topic created an expectation for the other stories, as it felt very much like an intro. The expectation was not met, and I was rather disappointed by this.
I also can recommend the title story (The Bread We Eat in Dreams*). It's a very nice take on the witchcraft/demon mythos.
Fade To White* was an interesting atomic '50's dystopia. Worth reading.
Aeromaus focuses on the ways words and meanings can change.
One Breath, One Stroke is a fascinating cross-world identity parable.
We Without Us Were Shadows* has the premise that the Bronte sisters (and brother) discovered that their play-fiction world was real. Rather interesting.
The Room is a quirky story about a room that just shows up in houses, etc.
Silently and Very Fast* explores the growth of an AI through lived story-experience.
The rest I either didn't care for, or didn't leave a lasting impression.
*Indicates a title that is available to read for free online as of 2016.05.24
laden_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really incredible collection of intense and interesting stories. Heavy on speculative fiction and mythology, it's also great language any way you cut it. Not necessarily stories I'd read to a kid, but this is like the modern Grimm.
mrsdragon's review
4.0
The entire collection of stories has a kind of pulsating energy. Sometimes a quiet, steady beat, other times a wild driving force. Common themes include fairy tales, a flexible and fluid understanding of gender and sexuality, strength, and internal narratives.
sanmeow's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
this is just such a unique collection that it's hard for me to say anything constructive about it other than that i think the writing is beautiful. mind you, i had never read this author's work before, so i was really blown away. such pretty word choices, lovely imagery. there's a lot of favorites: the consultant, the bread we eat in dreams, the girl who ruled fairyland for a little while, mouse koan, the blueberry queen of wiscasset, fade to white, silently and very fast.
keelydoll's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
oohsarracuda's review against another edition
4.0
Catherynne M. Valente's writing is so good, it makes me feel like I'm on drugs. I don't know which drugs. Maybe all of them. That's how good her writing is.