Reviews

Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare by Megan Kamalei Kakimoto

violetturtledove's review

dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

I often find it difficult to rate story collections because the quality can vary, or I may just not connect with some stories as much as others, but I feel like every one of these stories is going to stick with me. They are moving, disturbing, relatable and insightful, taking themes like womanhood, motherhood, identity, indigenous culture and self image, and giving them all a darker twist. Everyday experiences, some familiar to me, some not, are described in a way I've not seen done before, with small details that make you think 'yes that's exactly how it is', while at the same time hinting at otherworldliness.

bribellej's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

missrhinnan's review

fast-paced

3.0

tammy_driscoll's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bippityboppityboop's review against another edition

5.0

Fantastic. These stories are haunting and heavy. There aren’t monsters or murderers—but the works are filled with ghosts and the grotesque. The stories get better and better as the book progresses, and I would maybe recommend reading them in order. You will like this book if you enjoyed “The Dangers of Smoking in Bed” by Mariana Enríquez, “Manmade Monsters” by Andrea L. Rogers, or “Night of the Living Rez” by Morgan Talty. I leave this work thinking a lot about the horrors and wonders of femininity and racial identity.

Thanks NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the digital ARC :)

jayisreading's review

Unfortunately, after three stories, I really couldn't get into any of them.

kuhlayoh's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

As a kanaka maoli of the diaspora myself I wanted to really love this book but it felt like it was written more so for the non-Native Hawaiian audience. Also, get all the ʻokina and kahakō in the ʻōlelo right except for Molokaʻi (can be bothersome for some).

kiyajade's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.75

experfectionist's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

Beautiful, vivid, raw, powerful, evocative, descriptive short stories about Hawaii and indigenous culture and identity,  women and femininity, with stories ranging from adolescence and puberty, coming of age, love and loss, through to old age and dealing with loss of loved ones. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief and Pregnancy

istaisa's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? Yes

3.75