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pking90's review against another edition
4.0
Standouts are The Coast of Leitrim, Ox Mountain Death Song, Old Stock, Who’s-Dead McCarthy, and That Old Country Music
A master of setting and place, but also of character. He has a certain consistent (circadian) rhythm in these stories. There’s redolent witch hazel (lots of witches in general), plentiful forests and trees, and there’s a seasonal bloom or decay present in most stories. The nights are endless. Characters skirt the edges of town, follow roads that stretch onward. There is history to be reckoned with, there is a separateness that is not unwelcome. These stories are waiting on the promise of a changing season, the Februarys and Mays. Color and weather are intertwined in these stories. Nature and animals stand starkly apart from towns and humans.
The best stories are beautiful little microcosms that play upon these themes in their endless varieties.
A master of setting and place, but also of character. He has a certain consistent (circadian) rhythm in these stories. There’s redolent witch hazel (lots of witches in general), plentiful forests and trees, and there’s a seasonal bloom or decay present in most stories. The nights are endless. Characters skirt the edges of town, follow roads that stretch onward. There is history to be reckoned with, there is a separateness that is not unwelcome. These stories are waiting on the promise of a changing season, the Februarys and Mays. Color and weather are intertwined in these stories. Nature and animals stand starkly apart from towns and humans.
The best stories are beautiful little microcosms that play upon these themes in their endless varieties.
tvisser's review against another edition
4.0
Collection of short stories that take place mostly in Ireland. Roma was my favorite, but all the stories were interesting to read.
graydonoliver95's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars total
The Coast of Leitrim--3 stars
Deer Season--3
Ox Mountain Death Song--4
Old Stock--3.5
Saint Catherine of the Fields--4
Toronto and the State of Grace--2
Who's-Dead McCarthy--4
Roma Kid--5
Extremadura (Until Night Falls)--3
That Old Country Music--2
Roethke in the Bughouse--5
Overall, I enjoyed Barry's writing style. The lower-rated stories lost me mostly because the story itself wasn't interesting to me, but they were all well-written and enjoyable, and I'd be interested in reading more of Barry's work.
The Coast of Leitrim--3 stars
Deer Season--3
Ox Mountain Death Song--4
Old Stock--3.5
Saint Catherine of the Fields--4
Toronto and the State of Grace--2
Who's-Dead McCarthy--4
Roma Kid--5
Extremadura (Until Night Falls)--3
That Old Country Music--2
Roethke in the Bughouse--5
Overall, I enjoyed Barry's writing style. The lower-rated stories lost me mostly because the story itself wasn't interesting to me, but they were all well-written and enjoyable, and I'd be interested in reading more of Barry's work.
rnicaogain's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chelsea21's review against another edition
3.0
This collection of Irish short stories can perhaps be described as Pollock’s “Knockemstiff” on Ambien. A bit vulgar, glimpses of violence and neglect, sad, sleepy. “Who’s-Dead McCarthy” was the clear winner for me, with just the right balance of humor and macabre.
finbarros_33's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aoified's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0