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krabinovitz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
frostap's review against another edition
3.0
The first (and title) short story was excellent. The rest didn't do it for me.
mayawe's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
queerloras's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
vegprincess's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read a book of short stories in a long time so it was a nice change to read Englander's newest collection. There are eight stories in this book and of them, there was only one I didn't like, and that was Sister Hills. I found it to be boring since I couldn't connect or sympathize with any of the characters. I forced myself to continue reading it because if I ditched it, then I couldn't honestly list the book as "read". The rest of the stories were much better. They contained characters I cared about and situations in which I wanted to learn more. The stories that stood out most to me were: How we Avenged the Blums, Camp Sundown, The Reader and Free Fruit for Young Widows.
slichto3's review against another edition
3.0
A well-told set of contemplative and funny stories. I had really high hopes for this book that weren't really born out, but it was enjoyable and engaging. Each story just seemed to be missing something, for me. Like there would be decent premises, but then the story just seemed to peter out, for me, at least. The lead story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, felt a little meandering, and the ending just sort of popped out of nowhere in an incongruous way. I found the second story, Sister Hills, to be a very strong story that hit me pretty hard, even if it was a little ridiculous. I didn't really feel much for the third and fourth stories, How We Avenged the Blums and Peep Show. I very much enjoyed Everything I Know About My Family on My Mother's Side. It felt extremely heartfelt and personal, and it's probably my favorite story in the collection. Camp Sundown, the sixth story, was interesting but sort of missed the mark for me. The Reader was also a very well-told story that was unique, to me, and got to my emotions effectively. The final story, Free Fruit for Young Widows, was very engaging, and will take me some time to parse. I'm not sure yet whether I liked it or loved it, but I do enjoy stories that require further thought.
So, overall, a mixed bag of mostly good stories.
So, overall, a mixed bag of mostly good stories.
dobbydoo22's review
3.0
This includes a pretty broad spectrum of stories, both darker and more comic than in the last book I read by Englander ('For the Relief of Unbearable Urges'). Still, the humor itself is dark; this is not one to pick up if you need something uplifting....but Englander is great for making you think and coming up with situations for his characters that really make you question what you'd do in the same circumstances. Very moving.
spikeanderson1's review against another edition
2.0
like the effort - seems to mimic the Yiddish authors of yesteryear, but with updated themes like Elder tribunals and pot... but I did not really like the stories as stories, and they did not inspire me, and they did not make me ponder deeper themes.
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
2.0
Just not compelling enough to rate higher. I enjoyed maybe one story out of this collection. Disappointing.