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cheazcakeguy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is a collection of short speculative fiction. There is a decent amount of variety, but there are a few stories that tackle similar themes/topics, especially consumerism and racism. Many of the stories are set in a world similar to our own, where one or more aspects of our own world have been exaggerated to the point of absurdity. As a result, the stories often have an extremely dark sense of humor and expose the absurdity inherent in real-world concepts like racism, violence, consumerism, and truth. Some of the stories have a different tone, but I never quite felt the emotional weight behind the ones with a more pensive, poignant feel. To me, the writing was much better at evoking feelings of rage, shock, despair, and defiance than sadness or regret.
Some stories were more interesting than others. A couple were a bit dull, but my favorites were the ones that really leaned in to the ridiculousness. I especially liked The Finkelstein 5, Friday Black, Zimmer Land, and Through the Flash. Nothing really blew me away, but this book was certainly unique and unexpected. Overall, this is a pretty thought-provoking, well-written collection of stories.
Some stories were more interesting than others. A couple were a bit dull, but my favorites were the ones that really leaned in to the ridiculousness. I especially liked The Finkelstein 5, Friday Black, Zimmer Land, and Through the Flash. Nothing really blew me away, but this book was certainly unique and unexpected. Overall, this is a pretty thought-provoking, well-written collection of stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Torture, Cannibalism, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Police brutality, Suicide, and Domestic abuse
buer's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In this series of short stories Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah chooses several hot-button topics and takes them to their most illogical extremes in a way that allows the reader the opportunity to explore these issues in a new light.
The stories range widely, exploring topics like abortion, white supremacist violence, school shootings, over-consumerism, and more. Adjei-Brenyah is a visceral, visual writer exploring violent themes, so his writing is often stomach-churning. If you can handle a hefty amount of gore, though, these stories are sure to inspire a lot of interesting (maybe even productive) conversations.
The only thing keeping me from a full five star rating is that several of the stories are all center around the same retail environment. If all of those had to be included, I think grouping them together would have been more effective.
I recommend this for people who are politically minded, thoughtful, and a little twisted.
The stories range widely, exploring topics like abortion, white supremacist violence, school shootings, over-consumerism, and more. Adjei-Brenyah is a visceral, visual writer exploring violent themes, so his writing is often stomach-churning. If you can handle a hefty amount of gore, though, these stories are sure to inspire a lot of interesting (maybe even productive) conversations.
The only thing keeping me from a full five star rating is that several of the stories are all center around the same retail environment. If all of those had to be included, I think grouping them together would have been more effective.
I recommend this for people who are politically minded, thoughtful, and a little twisted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Abortion
e_tully4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
eve81's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Racism, Murder, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
kelsylee's review against another edition
I got two or three paragraphs into the abortion story, Lark Street, and had to stop. The writing is very good, but some of these just weren’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion
mrscorytee's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Abortion, Violence, Murder, and Suicide attempt
amyjo25's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Racism
xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A brilliant surrealist, satirical exploration of racial suffering, resistance, consumerism and economic materialism. I'm looking forward to picking up Chain-Gang All Stars after this experience.
The Finkelstein 5 - 4.5 stars
The Finkelstein 5 - 4.5 stars
Things My Mother Said - 4.25 stars
The Era - 4.5 stars
Lark Street - 4 stars
The Hospital Where - 4.25 stars
Zimmer Land - 4.75 stars
Black Friday - 5 Stars
The Lion & The Spider - 4 stars
Light Spitter - 4.25 stars
In Retail - 3.75 stars
Through The Flash - 4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Gun violence, Child death, Child abuse, Violence, Hate crime, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
megansoetaert's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved Chain Gang All-Stars so much that i had to pick up Adjei-Brenyah’s first book. I’m normally not a huge fan of short story collections, but this was actually really well done!!
The stories flowed very well, and I didn’t feel jolted out of the book each time I started a new story. I felt connected to each character + story even in so few pages. I think the dystopian elements were well done, but I do feel like the social commentary leaned a little more Black Mirror lol (still good! just not the most poignant to me)
The stories flowed very well, and I didn’t feel jolted out of the book each time I started a new story. I felt connected to each character + story even in so few pages. I think the dystopian elements were well done, but I do feel like the social commentary leaned a little more Black Mirror lol (still good! just not the most poignant to me)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
literaryintersections's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
A lot of this I loved:
The finklestein 5 is an unbelievable story. Heartbreaking and sad. Feels realistic and also highlights the ends people will go to try and get some kind of justice. To get people to say their names.
Lark Street was WEIRD but also sad. Maybe a take on abortion overall but more a take on how women are impacted by abortion.
Zimmer Land was disgusting and horrifying and felt like the early stirrings of Chain-Gang All-Stars. The idea of doing something good when really it’s stripping of humanity.
Friday Blsck - capitalism and materialism.
Light Spitter - honestly heartbreaking all around.
Some were so strong and others not as strong. But overall, such a great read. I want a full Finklestein 5 and full Zimmer Land story.
The finklestein 5 is an unbelievable story. Heartbreaking and sad. Feels realistic and also highlights the ends people will go to try and get some kind of justice. To get people to say their names.
Lark Street was WEIRD but also sad. Maybe a take on abortion overall but more a take on how women are impacted by abortion.
Zimmer Land was disgusting and horrifying and felt like the early stirrings of Chain-Gang All-Stars. The idea of doing something good when really it’s stripping of humanity.
Friday Blsck - capitalism and materialism.
Light Spitter - honestly heartbreaking all around.
Some were so strong and others not as strong. But overall, such a great read. I want a full Finklestein 5 and full Zimmer Land story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Abortion, Police brutality, and Gun violence
Moderate: Gore