You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Like most books of short stories, some were good and some were just ok. Overall I liked the surrealist ones the most--the presidents reincarnated as horses! I also really liked the massage PTSD story.
Mixed bag, I'm afraid. I was hoping for something imaginative but also with a punch to it, but the stories lacked good conclusions, or when they had good conclusions, they went on too long beyond these conclusions (that's Reeling for the Empire). I think I liked the ending of the last story best (The Graveless Doll) even though I didn't enjoy the material (if there's one thing I find triggering, it's cruelty against people with disabilities).
(I need to locate a better collection of short stories. Maybe that early Kelly Link that I haven't read yet.)
(I need to locate a better collection of short stories. Maybe that early Kelly Link that I haven't read yet.)
'I once pictured time as a black magnifying glass and myself as a microscopic flightless insect trapped in a circle of night. But then Magreb came along, and eternity ceased to frighten me. Suddenly each moment followed its antecedent in neat chains, moments we filled with each other.'
''Poor thing,' Magreb whispers ... 'she thinks he's going to save her.''
'Her hand glides along the curve of her spine, bumps along her tailbone. These are the 'rudimentary vertebrae': the fishy, ancient coccygeal bones. The same spine that has been inside her since babyhood is hers today, the exact same bones from the womb, a thought that always fills her with a kind of thrilling claustrophobia. So much surface wrapped around that old stem.'
'That night marked a funny turning point for me; I started thinking about Time in a new way, time with a capital T, this substance that underwent mysterious conversions.'
''Poor thing,' Magreb whispers ... 'she thinks he's going to save her.''
'Her hand glides along the curve of her spine, bumps along her tailbone. These are the 'rudimentary vertebrae': the fishy, ancient coccygeal bones. The same spine that has been inside her since babyhood is hers today, the exact same bones from the womb, a thought that always fills her with a kind of thrilling claustrophobia. So much surface wrapped around that old stem.'
'That night marked a funny turning point for me; I started thinking about Time in a new way, time with a capital T, this substance that underwent mysterious conversions.'
Reading Karen Russell's "Swamplandia!" put her on my radar because of its solid writing, quirky characters and unique environments. Picking up "Vampires in the Lemon Grove" did not disappoint and was enjoyable for many of the same reasons. Instead of a novel this is a collection of short stories. Each story introduces you to new characters, a new environment and a usually a strange set of circumstances.
In fact, the strange circumstances are a big theme throughout the entire book. There is the story about vampires. Another about US Presidents reincarnated (maybe?) as horses. A tattoo that comes to life. A revengeful bunny. Any many more. These aren't necessarily mysteries, but they do have a very "Twilight Zone" feel to them. In each story, something is just slightly off or not right or confusing... to readers and to the characters.
After "Vampires in the Lemon Grove" Karen Russell will continue to be on my radar, and I can't wait to read more of her writing!
In fact, the strange circumstances are a big theme throughout the entire book. There is the story about vampires. Another about US Presidents reincarnated (maybe?) as horses. A tattoo that comes to life. A revengeful bunny. Any many more. These aren't necessarily mysteries, but they do have a very "Twilight Zone" feel to them. In each story, something is just slightly off or not right or confusing... to readers and to the characters.
After "Vampires in the Lemon Grove" Karen Russell will continue to be on my radar, and I can't wait to read more of her writing!
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I only read the 5th story in the novel, The Barn at The End of Our Term. I did enjoy its use of reflection.
I only read the first story (the title story) in this collection. I actually picked it up at the library and started reading (sampling) on page 3 or 4, and decided to read it. A few minutes later I realized it was a book of short stories, and I thought, so much the better. I’ll read this one and decide whether to read more.
I liked the story, but it didn’t really end in any sort of satisfying way. Mostly it left me with a ton of questions.
I liked the story, but it didn’t really end in any sort of satisfying way. Mostly it left me with a ton of questions.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It is rare that I really love a book of short stories, but this was really fun! Hard to classify the genre....maybe horror, maybe a bit of fantasy in there too. Almost all of these stories captured my interest.
Whilst I would prefer if the stories actually had endings I enjoyed all of these! I thought they were really creative and I enjoyed the writing although it took me a while to get through