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ashleymccallan055's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishphase's review
5.0
*ONLY READ THE SHORT STORY "THROUGH THE WARDROBE" FROM THIS COLLECTION FOR UNIVERSITY*
I would have preferred a bit more detail on the latter events, but this was a great short story nevertheless.
I would have preferred a bit more detail on the latter events, but this was a great short story nevertheless.
mck_belle's review against another edition
4.75
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I loved every story. Some left me speechless. So good.
alisonburnis's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This collection of short stories kicked me in the ribs, on the best way. I cried through a number of these stories, and alternately felt hope and joy. Caldwell is one of the best short story writers I’ve read - not Alice Munro, of course, but up there near to Munro. The worlds Caldwell builds are full and immersive, all set in and around Belfast, typically. The secret first love of two teenage girls, a mother with a child in the NICU, a closeted trans girl longing for a Belle dress (this one was one of the most beautiful in the book). Caldwell is a tender writer, and these were incredible.
punchofwishes's review
4.0
Only read Through the Wardrobe!
This is a simple yet powerful story of a trans girl and her experience of gender, especially tied to having three older sisters. I quite enjoyed the imagery even if this isn’t the most elaborate thing.
This is a simple yet powerful story of a trans girl and her experience of gender, especially tied to having three older sisters. I quite enjoyed the imagery even if this isn’t the most elaborate thing.
jedony's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
milliebrierley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Racial slurs, and Suicide attempt
zibby's review
3.0
I'm a bit torn on this one - some really strong short stories: Multitudes and Poison stick out as two great ones, one about the premature birth of a woman's son and the complex relationship that happens between mother and baby when they're ill and the other about a young girl's crush on a teacher who she then sees again when she's older. Many of the stories centre around young girls and their lives in Belfast which is a welcome perspective. They cover topics such as racism, being trans, first loves (straight and gay), high-school crushes and friendships and the many other minutiae that make up being a teenage girl. The writing is good, clear - unobtrusive in many ways. There was just something a little lacking in many of the stories for me, in the characters and the writing that made them good, not great stories. But Lucy Caldwell is certainly a writer to watch out for.