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alexanderp's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Maybe it's the headspace I'm in at the moment, but while I love the writing here I'm not sure it "sits" with me all that well.
Not that these stories have to sit with me at all, but there's a lot there lurking under the surface and it will take a re-read or two to get the whole picture.
Not that these stories have to sit with me at all, but there's a lot there lurking under the surface and it will take a re-read or two to get the whole picture.
karinlib's review
2.0
I am reading Peter Orner's book [b:Am I Alone Here?: Notes on Living to Read and Reading to Live|28957174|Am I Alone Here? Notes on Living to Read and Reading to Live|Peter Orner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456963476l/28957174._SX50_.jpg|49182889], and as I am reading, I am also reading the works he discusses. I had never heard of Breece Pancake before, so I gave his book a try. I have to admit, I just didn't love his stories, though there were sentences and paragraphs that were quite good. To be honest, I liked the authors who gave an introduction and afterward. I enjoyed their discussion of Pancake's stories more.
molishka's review
5.0
Highly recommend.
This book was in the house I lived in and someone who lived there with me said I should read it, but now all of the people who lived there deny being the person who passed it to me. Mystery.
Far and away the best thing I've read in years.
This book was in the house I lived in and someone who lived there with me said I should read it, but now all of the people who lived there deny being the person who passed it to me. Mystery.
Far and away the best thing I've read in years.
tstuppy's review
4.0
These stories were powerful and quiet things. I really want to spend some time revisiting them.
horfhorfhorf's review
I can see why the man was lauded for his storytelling style and angle, but couldn't get into it myself. Doesn't seem fair to rate the book poorly just because I don't get it, so no rating it is!
lizzina's review
4.0
The stories of Breece D'J Pancake have been a real surprise to me. The introduction before the stories is really interesting and gives you an "overview" of the author himself if you, like me, don't know anything about him.
The stories did not disappoint me, as they actually reflect the image of the author. Despite being quite harsh and somehow rough, the background perception is that the author was missing something in his own life, and it sadly does not surprise, after reading, that he took his life really young.
I would suggest to everyone to read this book, as it really is a masterpiece in the short stories chapter of literature.
The stories did not disappoint me, as they actually reflect the image of the author. Despite being quite harsh and somehow rough, the background perception is that the author was missing something in his own life, and it sadly does not surprise, after reading, that he took his life really young.
I would suggest to everyone to read this book, as it really is a masterpiece in the short stories chapter of literature.
jennog's review
3.0
I’m not gonna lie—I didn’t understand a lot of this book. Some of it was the vernacular but also the point of some of the stories. Again, I’m not a book short story person so a lot of the art of short stories is lost on me. Of the stories I did understand, I liked it. The rest I’m pretty ambivalent about. I can appreciate the creativity of the stories. I’m just not going to sit here and pretend I got them all.
What I did understand was that this collection of stories is a day in the life of people in West Virginia. It really shed light on the lifestyle of people there and how they act, think, and talk.
Long story short, if you’re a fan of Faulkner, you’ll probably like this. I’m not a fan of Faulkner, so I feel meh about this.
What I did understand was that this collection of stories is a day in the life of people in West Virginia. It really shed light on the lifestyle of people there and how they act, think, and talk.
Long story short, if you’re a fan of Faulkner, you’ll probably like this. I’m not a fan of Faulkner, so I feel meh about this.
lmclar12's review
4.0
4 stars. For such short stories Pancake manages to make his character jump off the page. The imagery also makes you feel like you’re in rural West Virginia.