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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really like Gay's essays and other non-fiction, so I was looking forward to her short stories. The collection was a fast read, with some really excellent stories. I especially enjoyed "I Will Follow You," "North Country," and "Water, All Its Weight." The content is heavy and difficult throughout; Gay's characters endure abusive relationships, staggering losses, and feelings of doubt and inadequacy. I think because the themes are so similar, it felt repetitive after awhile and I didn't find the stories in the second half of the book as compelling as in the first half. At times, the writing is exceptional, but at others it seemed like I was beaten over the head with descriptions that could have been done more subtly or in a more interesting way. Gay is a talented author, but I found this book somewhat inconsistent.
I loved this book. I think each story should be a book.
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
amazing. some confronting stories but all beautiful. my favourite story kept changing as I continued to read but I think it's going to be hard to go past 'the sacrifice of darkness'.
I enjoyed a lot of the short stories in this book but also really hated some of them lol. Basically every story was depressing but the author did an amazing job of gripping you immediately with each chapter.
Takeaway is I want to read more collections of short stories but would only recommend this one if you’re in a place for something disturbing / not straightforward.
Takeaway is I want to read more collections of short stories but would only recommend this one if you’re in a place for something disturbing / not straightforward.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have a hard time rating and reviewing this book because it was so painful to read. Roxane Gay is an excellent writer and I really admire her as a woman and thinker too, but she does not spare us in these stories. Some are flat out brutal and had me considering not finishing the rest of the book, but I persevered because what she writes is important and true and I highly recommend it for less sensitive readers/people.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced