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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
ugh idk, the writing is engaging but the stories themselves are so complex that sometimes I just lose interest out of confusion. My favorite was Sparrow!
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
• Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing this Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is October 18, 2022.
A collection of nine short stories. I hate to say this because I’ve always enjoyed George Saunders in the past. It felt like homework, grueling homework, trying to get through these stories. They were OK, but I can honestly say that none of them are memorable or outstanding.
Liberation Day - Dystopian retribution for Custer’s Last Stand
The Mom of Bold Action - A mom obsesses about her son getting hurt. When her fears manifest, she and her husband over-retaliate.
Love Letter - After devastating changes in our government, a grandpa advises his grandson, “I just want to say that history, when it arrives, may not look as you expect, based on the reading of history books.”
A Thing at Work - Brenda justifies stealing office supplies. I mean, everyone does it, right?
Sparrow - Gloria has no opinions of her own. Randy is a boring mama’s boy. But together they make a devoted, compatible couple.
Ghoul - The future below Colorado: “Once upon a time, bad things going on Above? Disease stuff, war stuff, famine stuff? Somebody Above thought: Better set a little something aside? Like seeds? And that is us?”
Mother’s Day - A mother has a horrible relationship with her adult children but is incapable of seeing her role in the situation.
Elliott Spencer - What?
My House - No comment
A collection of nine short stories. I hate to say this because I’ve always enjoyed George Saunders in the past. It felt like homework, grueling homework, trying to get through these stories. They were OK, but I can honestly say that none of them are memorable or outstanding.
Liberation Day - Dystopian retribution for Custer’s Last Stand
The Mom of Bold Action - A mom obsesses about her son getting hurt. When her fears manifest, she and her husband over-retaliate.
Love Letter - After devastating changes in our government, a grandpa advises his grandson, “I just want to say that history, when it arrives, may not look as you expect, based on the reading of history books.”
A Thing at Work - Brenda justifies stealing office supplies. I mean, everyone does it, right?
Sparrow - Gloria has no opinions of her own. Randy is a boring mama’s boy. But together they make a devoted, compatible couple.
Ghoul - The future below Colorado: “Once upon a time, bad things going on Above? Disease stuff, war stuff, famine stuff? Somebody Above thought: Better set a little something aside? Like seeds? And that is us?”
Mother’s Day - A mother has a horrible relationship with her adult children but is incapable of seeing her role in the situation.
Elliott Spencer - What?
My House - No comment
emotional
funny
medium-paced
A few of Saunders' best stories and a number of stories that really didn't do anything for me. I wish there was a bit more diversity in his voice throughout these stories. It's a strong voice and funny, but one that gets a little redundant when reading multiple stories back-to-back.
I'd also love for Saunders to explore different conceits in his short stories. Right now all of his stories (going all the way back to Civilwarland in Bad Decline) are based around one of four questions: (1) what if two weird people were angry at one another? (2) what if two weird people were in love with one another? (3) what if theme park employees had souls? (4) what if people had ornamental slaves?
Story Ranking:
I'd also love for Saunders to explore different conceits in his short stories. Right now all of his stories (going all the way back to Civilwarland in Bad Decline) are based around one of four questions: (1) what if two weird people were angry at one another? (2) what if two weird people were in love with one another? (3) what if theme park employees had souls? (4) what if people had ornamental slaves?
Story Ranking:
- (tie). Liberation Day - Basically just "The Semplica-Girl Diaries" but easier to read. 10/10
- (tie). Ghoul - Just the right amount of odd-ball humor and heartfelt tenderness I want from a Saunders story. 10/10
- Elliott Spencer - Fun to figure out and heartbreaking but it didn't seem to be doing anything with its political commentary. This felt very CNN responding to a Fox News story to "own maga". 7.5/10
- Mother's Day - Sad and funny. Not much more. 6/10
- My House - I really liked where this story went, but I think I wanted a bit more of it. The obsession from the narrator didn't quite feel believable by the end of the very very short story. 6/10
- A Thing at Work - I'll be real, I don't remember what this one was about. ?/10
- Mom of Bold Action - I also don't really remember this one. ?/10
- Love Letter - If this story was a person, it would have a "Hakeem Jeffries 2028" bumper sticker and a "Make America Care Again" hat. 2/10
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes