Reviews

The New Order by Karen E. Bender

karencarlson's review

dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced

4.25

 Bender likes to use humor, leaning into absurdity, to underline the serious points she wants to make in this collection that "examines the sense of instability" she sees in recent American life, an instability that has only become more pronounced since its publication in 2018. Several of the stories concern characters adjacent to violence; they aren't victims, but are affected anyway. Others are overtly political. The final story ends on a note of hope, and offers a way of ameliorating the "the emotional costs of living under constant threat."
FMI see my blog post at A Just Recompense. 

kristine's review

4.0

The Cell Phones - Karen E. Bender

shannonrose's review

5.0

I love the way Bender leads you calmly down a well-worn path with a flashlight, shines a light on the small, simple everyday then grabs your wrist while she takes you for a unexpected twist. Her stunning and subtle prose makes you curious; every story somehow slowly and thoughtfully blooms before you as though you have uncovered a gem as it first catches the light.

roguepanda's review

5.0

I started this collection months ago and went slowly through the book. Some stories stuck with me more than others. I found some cryptic and some easier to understand, but each one moved me.