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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have marked this as read even though I didn't manage to read the last story. I got a trigger warning from my book club and decided after the ordeal of the first story, it wasn't worth it.
I came to this book with high expectations, Roxane Gay's reputation precedes her and I've enjoyed interviews she's given before. But I found this book disappointing. Not just because it was incredibly emotionally difficult to read, but also because I couldn't help comparing it to other short stories I have recently read and enjoyed much more in terms of style and content. Many of the stories blurred into one another for me, and I found it hard to force myself to the end of the book. I often missed a connection to the characters. My favourite stories were probably the ones with an element of magical realism. Those ones reminded me a little of Kafka, and I felt like they had depths which some other stories lacked. But I'm a fan of pondering and interpretation.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is slightly sensitive, or I would say at least skip the first story. It made me feel physically sick, and I only continued reading for the book club.
I came to this book with high expectations, Roxane Gay's reputation precedes her and I've enjoyed interviews she's given before. But I found this book disappointing. Not just because it was incredibly emotionally difficult to read, but also because I couldn't help comparing it to other short stories I have recently read and enjoyed much more in terms of style and content. Many of the stories blurred into one another for me, and I found it hard to force myself to the end of the book. I often missed a connection to the characters. My favourite stories were probably the ones with an element of magical realism. Those ones reminded me a little of Kafka, and I felt like they had depths which some other stories lacked. But I'm a fan of pondering and interpretation.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is slightly sensitive, or I would say at least skip the first story. It made me feel physically sick, and I only continued reading for the book club.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Stalking, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
Wow. It took me forever to get through this - both for personal reasons and for being super busy reasons, but damn... this is a great read. Read it.
I had a hard time deciding how to rate Difficult Women, balancing the skill with which these stories were crafted, and the actual experience of reading them. But that's the point of Roxane Gay's work, both her fiction and nonfiction, that so much of the world is challenging and unpalatable, and (forgive me), difficult. I wholeheartedly recommend this short story collection, but know these difficult women will haunt you after you meet them.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My favourite book this year probably! Each story has something special. Some are weird but in the best way. Some are dark, but I loved this collection of stories. The characters are vivid and the narration style is so interesting! Highly recommend for a read that pushes your comfort zone thoughts.
This was awesome. A bunch of short stories about different women. There were only two or three I didn't enjoy, and I think that's because they were almost sci-fi-y? There was one about a girl who had water stains follow her everywhere she goes... Very different. But the rest were great.
When I first heard of Roxane Gay, it was when I was in working on my undergrad degree in Creative Writing. She came to speak and read from Bad Feminist. At that time, she was right on the cusp of fame, and the event was crowded, but we still fit in one relatively small lecture hall. She was a delight to listen to, and right after, I bought Bad Feminist. That book, as dramatic as this will sound, changed my life--or at the very least, my way of thinking about feminism. That small collection of essays was funny, empowering, and inspiring. I've been a fan of Gay ever since.
I got Difficult Women about a week ago from when I'm writing this. I knew it was a collection of short stories, and I was excited to read it. My intention was to read a story or two every night before bed and make the book last a month or so. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I devoured the book in a matter of days. Gay's voice is powerful in this book. As someone who is trying to write and be published herself, it was inspiring to read something and truly know what an "author's voice" is. She has such a rhythm and authority in each story.
As far as content goes, I have no complaints. I can't pick out a favorite story (though I am leaning towards "North Country" or "La Negra Blanca"). Each story is filled with thought provoking plots and characters, even the ones that are only a couple pages long. I know that a couple of these stories have appeared elsewhere before being placed into this book, but I have to wonder about the theme of northern winters and engineering that seems to connect these stories. Admittedly, I don't know much about Gay's personal life, but still, I wonder. The title of this book is also interesting, as well as the title story. To me, these women are not difficult. They are flawed, and they are interesting. Some of them are down right unlikeable in my eyes, but they are human. Perhaps that was Gay's intent when putting this collection together, though. The dynamics between these women in these stories with the men in the stories is equally as interesting.
I admire Gay's efforts in putting this book together, and I applaud her for using her talents to write meaningful literature. I have nothing negative to say about this book aside from the fact that I wish it were longer. This book, like Bad Feminist, is going on my "Everyone Needs to Sit Down, Shut Up, and Read This" shelf. I look forward to Gay's next book, Hunger.
I got Difficult Women about a week ago from when I'm writing this. I knew it was a collection of short stories, and I was excited to read it. My intention was to read a story or two every night before bed and make the book last a month or so. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I devoured the book in a matter of days. Gay's voice is powerful in this book. As someone who is trying to write and be published herself, it was inspiring to read something and truly know what an "author's voice" is. She has such a rhythm and authority in each story.
As far as content goes, I have no complaints. I can't pick out a favorite story (though I am leaning towards "North Country" or "La Negra Blanca"). Each story is filled with thought provoking plots and characters, even the ones that are only a couple pages long. I know that a couple of these stories have appeared elsewhere before being placed into this book, but I have to wonder about the theme of northern winters and engineering that seems to connect these stories. Admittedly, I don't know much about Gay's personal life, but still, I wonder. The title of this book is also interesting, as well as the title story. To me, these women are not difficult. They are flawed, and they are interesting. Some of them are down right unlikeable in my eyes, but they are human. Perhaps that was Gay's intent when putting this collection together, though. The dynamics between these women in these stories with the men in the stories is equally as interesting.
I admire Gay's efforts in putting this book together, and I applaud her for using her talents to write meaningful literature. I have nothing negative to say about this book aside from the fact that I wish it were longer. This book, like Bad Feminist, is going on my "Everyone Needs to Sit Down, Shut Up, and Read This" shelf. I look forward to Gay's next book, Hunger.
This book was difficult to get through. I guess that why it took me so long to read it. That being said, it was superbly written and made me feel all the feels.
Extremely well written. The stories, while often gut-wrenching, ring true.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship