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inlibrisveritas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 Stars
These stories were not quite what I had in mind when I sat down with the audio, but it was a fantastic read regardless. Some stories stuck a little better than others, but I liked the variety of ages of the MC's and the differing types of horror.
These stories were not quite what I had in mind when I sat down with the audio, but it was a fantastic read regardless. Some stories stuck a little better than others, but I liked the variety of ages of the MC's and the differing types of horror.
Graphic: Murder, Mental illness, Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
rorikae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
'Fruiting Bodies' by Kathryn Harlan is an introspective short story collection with fabulist elements that delves deeply into its characters. Each story allows Harlan to explore a unique character, often with a fabulist and queer lens. I found each of these stories deeply moving and immersive though a few definitely stood out. My favorites included "Hunting the Viper King" about a girl who is whisked away on her father's travels trying to find a great mythical snake and "Is This You?" about a woman who has different versions of herself appear on her doorstep each time her mother writes a new essay about her troubled childhood. There aren't a great number of stories in this collection because Harlan takes time with each of them so that by the end of each story, I felt as if I knew these characters. There is a precision in her writing that cuts deep. These stories are laced with deep emotions and hard experiences that cut to their characters' flaws. At times, I hoped for more speculative elements but I don't think they were necessary. These are stories deeply rooted in their characters where the fabulism is just the lightest sprinkling to put in relief the character's decisions and flaws. Like salt on a chocolate chip cookie. This is such a fantastic collection and I cannot wait to read more of Harlan's work and potentially see how much more heartache they can bring with a full novel.
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Body horror
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Gore, Animal death, and Homophobia
skillwithaquill's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An absolute hidden gem. Every story in this collection packed a punch, but Fiddler and Fruiting Bodies rocked my world.
The gambling concept was wild and I can only imagine how that would play out in a full length novel.
Fruiting Bodies, the story, was far more romantic than it had any right to be. It’s a beautifully gothic twist on idyllic, sapphic cottagecore. Mushrooms that grow from a lover’s body that can both feed and poison. ♥️
The gambling concept was wild and I can only imagine how that would play out in a full length novel.
Fruiting Bodies, the story, was far more romantic than it had any right to be. It’s a beautifully gothic twist on idyllic, sapphic cottagecore. Mushrooms that grow from a lover’s body that can both feed and poison. ♥️
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Infertility, Addiction, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Murder, and Gore
Minor: Classism
Other possible triggers in various stories: a snake, an infant in peril, amputation of multiple limbs, gambling, gambling addiction, graphic description of ingesting animal blood/fat.
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