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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I was really disappointed with this book. For starters, I had no idea it was a book of short stories until I picked it up. I felt a bit misled. But it was for book club, so carry on I must!
The first couple of stories held my interest. The third story...I kind of despised, if you can despise the written word. And below are my take on the remaining stories in the book.
Also, I didn't really care for the order of the stories. The third and fourth stories were so messed up and twisted in my opinion, that I considered putting the book down right there. But I persevered -- and was rewarded, kind of.
I don't think I'll be reading any more Karen Russell anytime soon. If Swamplandia was as good as people say, it can wait. Was that short stories, too?
--------
Proving Up -- Weird. Tells the story of a pioneer kid in a Nebraska winter. A little creepy with a twisted ending. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to take from it.
The Barn at the End of Our Term -- This one is hilarious. A bit off-beat and strange, for sure, but it didn't leave me going, 'what the eff is wrong with you, Karen Russell?' And had me amused through much of it and the concept -- American presidents reborn as horses -- is a pretty brilliant one, if you ask me. I think it's safe to say this was my favorite in the book.
Dougbert Shackleton's Rules for Antarctic Tailgating -- Also humorous. A pretty quick 10 pages. This guy roots for Team Krill, who are beaten by Team Whale every year. Yes. As ridiculous as it sounds. Good for a laugh and some eye-rolling.
The New Veterans -- The whole story forms around an Iraq vet's tattoo and the vet's massage therapist. Weird, interesting. Some of it is a bit surreal. Not my favorite story ever, but carried me through. That's all I'll say.
The Graveless Doll of Eric Mutis -- Twisted in many ways. It ends up kind of being a mystery story. It's about 4 high school kids who beat up other kids, just for the hell of it. And then there's more, which is the mystery. Not enamored, but kept me interested. A good story to end the book on, I think.
The first couple of stories held my interest. The third story...I kind of despised, if you can despise the written word. And below are my take on the remaining stories in the book.
Also, I didn't really care for the order of the stories. The third and fourth stories were so messed up and twisted in my opinion, that I considered putting the book down right there. But I persevered -- and was rewarded, kind of.
I don't think I'll be reading any more Karen Russell anytime soon. If Swamplandia was as good as people say, it can wait. Was that short stories, too?
--------
Proving Up -- Weird. Tells the story of a pioneer kid in a Nebraska winter. A little creepy with a twisted ending. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to take from it.
The Barn at the End of Our Term -- This one is hilarious. A bit off-beat and strange, for sure, but it didn't leave me going, 'what the eff is wrong with you, Karen Russell?' And had me amused through much of it and the concept -- American presidents reborn as horses -- is a pretty brilliant one, if you ask me. I think it's safe to say this was my favorite in the book.
Dougbert Shackleton's Rules for Antarctic Tailgating -- Also humorous. A pretty quick 10 pages. This guy roots for Team Krill, who are beaten by Team Whale every year. Yes. As ridiculous as it sounds. Good for a laugh and some eye-rolling.
The New Veterans -- The whole story forms around an Iraq vet's tattoo and the vet's massage therapist. Weird, interesting. Some of it is a bit surreal. Not my favorite story ever, but carried me through. That's all I'll say.
The Graveless Doll of Eric Mutis -- Twisted in many ways. It ends up kind of being a mystery story. It's about 4 high school kids who beat up other kids, just for the hell of it. And then there's more, which is the mystery. Not enamored, but kept me interested. A good story to end the book on, I think.
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Reread (re-listened?) February 2019: some of these stories have stuck with me vividly since reading them in 2015, and others were like getting back in touch with old friends. Karen Russell remains one of my favourite short story writers.
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Karen Russell is just incredible at short stories. I had my issues with Swamplandia!, but here, her unabashed gifts for language, atmosphere and the fantastic shine beautifully. A few stories feel like filler, yes, but "Reeling for the Empire," "The Graveless Doll of Eric Mutis," The New Veterans," and the title story are exquisite.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A book of annoyingly vague, weird short stories that don’t connect to each other.
These stories are one neat little magic trick, executed again and again with different flair.
Here's the trick: each story is like a "fisherman who could wrench a secret from the depths of your heart and dangle it in front of you, revealing it to be nothing but a common, mud-coloured fish."
Here's the trick: each story is like a "fisherman who could wrench a secret from the depths of your heart and dangle it in front of you, revealing it to be nothing but a common, mud-coloured fish."
slow-paced
Bit of a hard time getting through this one. a few stories I really loved (there’s one about silkworms and one about tailgating, both very good) but most of the stories I felt dragged on a bit too long and didn’t have very satisfying endings.