Reviews

Fugitives by Alice Munro

kristieburk's review against another edition

3.0

There were some stories in this collection that I enjoyed, but they were all toward the end of the book. It certainly made it slow-going at the beginning. I've discovered that I have a short story bias; I prefer my short stories as a moment in town (ala Hemingway) rather than decades-sweeping.

I think the "fullest" story was the last one, "Powers."

I found many of the women in this collection to be frustrating and oftentimes unrelatable...

emilyacgm's review against another edition

3.0

I've listened to both Munro collections I've read recently and I think I should actually read them to appreciate them.

molly_vi0let's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

lauraloveslemon's review against another edition

4.0

Really good ready for a busy time - Several short stories with really great character development and narrative.

morning_room's review against another edition

3.0

human drama

lecybeth's review against another edition

2.0

These stories were too depressing. I didn't care for this.

lost_j's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

librarianna81's review against another edition

2.0

I am not big into short stories anymore, but this book kept popping up what felt like everywhere, so finally I gave in & decided to give it a shot. I had heard such good things! Unfortunately, I was largely disappointed. Munro is a very good writer, but it just didn't engage me. I especially found the 3 stories that followed the same character to be somewhat bland. She started off with a bang in her first story, but then it kind of went slow. It was a nice book to be able to pick up & put down between stories, though, without worry of losing my place. And she was consistent in the quality of her writing and of her characterization. I just...wasn't feeling it. The most striking story was probably her most tragic one; the second-to-last. I read that one on a train ride home and was stunned by it. I had to close the book and sit and process things for a few minutes before even getting up the energy to dive into the last story (which, incidentally, I didn't find very easy to follow, although the plot was interesting enough). That second-to-last story (sorry, I cannot remember the names, and I don't have a copy of the book nearby) really engaged me, though, for whatever reason, and I would say from that I find Munro to be a good author. I just wish I hadn't spent so much time on the other 8 (?) stories in the book. Well, maybe a handful (3ish) were worth it.

johnrw2000's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.75

dotorsojak's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Maybe 5 stars (I'm still thinking.)

Superb. Contains one of the greatest short stories I have ever read. It's called "Silence."