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kevinjfellows's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
books_and_keys's review
dark
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
moonpie's review
4.0
Desperate for something to read in a godless internet-free zone, I thumbed through the books that were already downloaded to my Kindle and settled on The Science of Herself, mostly because I couldn't remember wtf it was about or why I bought it, which is always a good sign. Well, it makes things more interesting.
I've never read Fowler before; this book contains three short stories, an essay, and an interview. The interview probably would have been more interesting if I knew more about Fowler, either as an author or a person.
I enjoyed the essay but I don't remember much about it at the moment. I know I highlighted a few thoughts that I especially liked -- it's an essay about motherhood, feminism, some of my favorite topics -- but I don't remember the particulars.
And then there are three short stories. The titular story is a bit of historical fiction based on the life of Mary Anning, and it's awesome. I had somehow never heard of Anning and I'm glad that's been fixed.
"The Pelican Bar" is my favorite story in the lot. Thought-provoking and suspenseful. Girl gets sent to reform school, but it's more awful than that. Maybe saying "favorite story" is false advertising -- I think it's the strongest story.
I don't think "The Further Adventures of the Invisible Man" is as memorable as the other two short stories in this volume, but I liked it well enough. Overall, I enjoyed Fowler's writing and I'd like to try one of her novels.
(three-and-a-half stars)
I've never read Fowler before; this book contains three short stories, an essay, and an interview. The interview probably would have been more interesting if I knew more about Fowler, either as an author or a person.
I enjoyed the essay but I don't remember much about it at the moment. I know I highlighted a few thoughts that I especially liked -- it's an essay about motherhood, feminism, some of my favorite topics -- but I don't remember the particulars.
And then there are three short stories. The titular story is a bit of historical fiction based on the life of Mary Anning, and it's awesome. I had somehow never heard of Anning and I'm glad that's been fixed.
"The Pelican Bar" is my favorite story in the lot. Thought-provoking and suspenseful. Girl gets sent to reform school, but it's more awful than that. Maybe saying "favorite story" is false advertising -- I think it's the strongest story.
I don't think "The Further Adventures of the Invisible Man" is as memorable as the other two short stories in this volume, but I liked it well enough. Overall, I enjoyed Fowler's writing and I'd like to try one of her novels.
(three-and-a-half stars)
adamcagey's review
3.0
A great series from an amazing publisher, PM Press’s Outspoken Author series are short books that adhere to a strict formula: each book focuses on a single writer. They contain a number of short stories from that author, an essay, and an interview focusing on craft.
I’ve never read any of Karen Joy Fowler’s novels, but I love her short stories. The three stories on display here show why. Each one concentrated on the characters involved, is generous and humane. Her language is lush without being overwrought. And each exists on the edge of the weird without ever tipping over into a reality that’s unrecognizable to our everyday lives.
The weakest element here for me is the interview. I wish that series editor Terry Bisson had remained focused on the craft elements and stayed away from the frivolous which I image he thought was funny. But this wasn’t enough to detract from the owner all power of this short collection.
I’ve never read any of Karen Joy Fowler’s novels, but I love her short stories. The three stories on display here show why. Each one concentrated on the characters involved, is generous and humane. Her language is lush without being overwrought. And each exists on the edge of the weird without ever tipping over into a reality that’s unrecognizable to our everyday lives.
The weakest element here for me is the interview. I wish that series editor Terry Bisson had remained focused on the craft elements and stayed away from the frivolous which I image he thought was funny. But this wasn’t enough to detract from the owner all power of this short collection.
reasie's review
4.0
One of the more diverse of the Outspoken Authors series in content, since Karen herself has a foot in both literary and genre fiction. The first offering is a poetic if subtle alternate history of 19th Century British Paleontologist Mary Anning, interspersed with other great figures of the day. Nothing magically different happens. It's very grounded in reality, very historical. Leaves you having to go back to your notes to see what /has/ been changed, or if it is all merely extrapolation of between-scenes.
The general feminist feel continues into her essay on the "Mother Myth" - starting with a spark of asking to destroy comfortable myths like 'mom and apple pie' she tries to deconstruct just what our mother myth really is.
Karen follows this up with an unexpectedly boyish piece about a young man being forced to play little league for all the usual reasons. It felt very warm and real. And of course it is feminist in its way, too, showing from a young boy's perspective the terrible pressures of gender role conformity.
The general feminist feel continues into her essay on the "Mother Myth" - starting with a spark of asking to destroy comfortable myths like 'mom and apple pie' she tries to deconstruct just what our mother myth really is.
Karen follows this up with an unexpectedly boyish piece about a young man being forced to play little league for all the usual reasons. It felt very warm and real. And of course it is feminist in its way, too, showing from a young boy's perspective the terrible pressures of gender role conformity.
jonmhansen's review
4.0
"How you doing, Nathan?" Victor asked me later on his way to the bathroom. I was still playing The Legend of Zelda.
"I just need a magic sword," I told him.
"Who doesn't?" he said.
"I just need a magic sword," I told him.
"Who doesn't?" he said.
andreablythe's review
4.0
I wasn't sure what to expect from this little book. I didn't know Fowler (best known for the The Jane Austen Book Club wrote science fiction until I read this book. It provides a set of stories and nonfiction essays.
"The Science of Herself" provides a biography of Mary Anning, who became known for being and expert of fossils, digging them out lyme cliffs under treacherous conditions. She kept detailed research about the pieces she dug up and sold, even positing her own theories. Jane Austen is discussed in comparison because she visited Lyme and because Anning would not have made it into Austen's novels. A facinating read.
"The Motherhood Statment" discusses the exploration of motherhood in science fiction novels an called for more such discussions to be made.
"The Pelican Bar" is a subtly fantastical story abou girl sent away by her parents to be "fixed". The tale is dark and bleak and so, so good.
"More Exubrent Then is Strictly Taseful" is an interview with a random set of questions that didn't flow well. They jumped around too much into too many random territories for my taste.
"The Futhur Adventures of the Invisible Man" is a great coming of age story. A man remembers the year he played baseball, revealing how his mom changed the story to suite her needs.
I have three or four more books in this "Plus..." Series and I'm very curious what they will reveals.
"The Science of Herself" provides a biography of Mary Anning, who became known for being and expert of fossils, digging them out lyme cliffs under treacherous conditions. She kept detailed research about the pieces she dug up and sold, even positing her own theories. Jane Austen is discussed in comparison because she visited Lyme and because Anning would not have made it into Austen's novels. A facinating read.
"The Motherhood Statment" discusses the exploration of motherhood in science fiction novels an called for more such discussions to be made.
"The Pelican Bar" is a subtly fantastical story abou girl sent away by her parents to be "fixed". The tale is dark and bleak and so, so good.
"More Exubrent Then is Strictly Taseful" is an interview with a random set of questions that didn't flow well. They jumped around too much into too many random territories for my taste.
"The Futhur Adventures of the Invisible Man" is a great coming of age story. A man remembers the year he played baseball, revealing how his mom changed the story to suite her needs.
I have three or four more books in this "Plus..." Series and I'm very curious what they will reveals.
jrt5166's review
4.0
This brief collection has just a few short stories, one non-fiction piece, and an interview with the author. It was a quick read, but I enjoyed it. I'll always be fond of Fowler for sharing my interest in both Jane Austen and science fiction.
nadinekc's review
4.0
I'll take any opportunity I can find anywhere to read anything by Karen Joy Fowler, based on the two books I've read so far - We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves and Sarah Canary. I'm parceling the rest out slowly so I don't run out of Fowlers too quickly. The books and stories I've read are completely different in plot, character and setting, but share the same weird, wry sensibility.
madtraveler's review
4.0
Great little read. A good interview and a few good stories. Might have to read more of her now. Also, very reassuring to read how similar her writing experience is to mine... other than the successful novelist part, of course. "My regular drill is to intend to write and then spend the day sitting at my computer doing my email and browsing my favorite sites instead. Watching some TED talks. I love TED talks. They are the only place where I find hope for the future. But then I spoil the mood by scoping out the political scene. All the while filled with a faint but ineffective self-loathing because I am not writing.