Reviews

Graceful Burdens by Roxane Gay

luminous's review

3.0

Short story about loss of reproductive rights in a future dystopia in the eugenics style of Gattaca. But now with baby libraries! Keep in mind that I like to use all my stars, and 3 stars means a GOOD read, especially if you are interested in the subject matter.

I thought the various POVs were well executed, particularly since this was such a short work. The messages were also done well and stay subtle enough. LGBTQ+ representation. I think a short story really needs to be tightly focused, though, and we don't get that here. We get a change, but it's not an inner change, and the person affected isn't who we met at the beginning, but showed up a ways into the story.

Loved the world building and the characters, even if drawn in broad strokes. Reads like an exercise in setting up a longer work. It was well worth my time.

cosmozinho's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective tense

• 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? Yes

2.25

ktswings's review against another edition

4.0

First I started in the Out of Line collection. I feel like I’m going to feel more empowered to vote through each contributing piece.

a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 Stars

In the spirit of [b:The Handmaid’s Tale|38447|The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1)|Margaret Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578028274l/38447._SY75_.jpg|1119185], this touches on identity and self worth all wrapped up in reproductive rights and basic human freedoms as this world will only allow one to reproduce if they have just the right genetic code.

Thought provoking, this kept my interest with a hopeful ending.

Currently free for Amazon Prime members

rubius_pepperwood's review against another edition

challenging dark sad fast-paced

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

4.5

anslow's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

4.0

victoria_catherine_shaw's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

palmpages's review against another edition

5.0

So good!
Too short!

thatweirdbookgirlie's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This collection is knocking it out of the park so far. This one is realllly short, so I won't really say much as to not give anything away. It's an emotional ride in a world where based on your genetic disposition you are told whether or not you can have children. 

whitecat5000's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

5.0

I went into this without reading the synopsis and man, it's a doozy.