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athenidel's review against another edition
3.0
'Even That Wildest Hope' delves deep into the realms of fantasy within this collection. Comprising of 10 short stories, they are wonderfully varied, ranging from angels and mysterious creatures and wax girls. This was not a collection of happy stories, but instead a showcase of dangerous and destructive characters that are developed well within these stories, some of which are remarkably short.
All of them left me slightly unsettled, and the strong sense that Goodhand's writing is both sophisticated and quirky.
I'll definitely be interested in anything further from her, and would be interested to see her foray into full-length fiction. For me, this collection - although interesting - was not my typical cup of tea, hence the 3 stars, but they are still worth a read for anyone who likes fantasy.
All of them left me slightly unsettled, and the strong sense that Goodhand's writing is both sophisticated and quirky.
I'll definitely be interested in anything further from her, and would be interested to see her foray into full-length fiction. For me, this collection - although interesting - was not my typical cup of tea, hence the 3 stars, but they are still worth a read for anyone who likes fantasy.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
4.0
An engrossing read, a wonderful collection of short stories, from the weird to the wonderful , a completely different collection from the norm. Stories that make you think and leave you wondering. Very well written and very thought provoking and even scary at times, but always entertaining.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
An engrossing and entertaining read. I appreciated this collection of well written, quirky and weird stories.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
lucysgoodfellow's review against another edition
2.0
I gotta say this was a weird book.
Like all short story collections, the quality of each story differed dramatically. Some stories were very well written but ended too abruptly to be memorable for anything other than that sudden ending. And others were so short that there was so little semblance of character to be explored within them that it made me eager to move onto the next one to get it out the way.
One was just so nonsensical I skipped it altogether.
Writing being bizarre is good but a book still must maintain a person's interest so they aren't skipping chapters to get to the end quicker.
My favourite of the short stories centred around the Wax girls and this it was brought that rating up from one star. I would read another book by Goodhand but perhaps not another short story collection.
I was sent this book as an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Like all short story collections, the quality of each story differed dramatically. Some stories were very well written but ended too abruptly to be memorable for anything other than that sudden ending. And others were so short that there was so little semblance of character to be explored within them that it made me eager to move onto the next one to get it out the way.
One was just so nonsensical I skipped it altogether.
Writing being bizarre is good but a book still must maintain a person's interest so they aren't skipping chapters to get to the end quicker.
My favourite of the short stories centred around the Wax girls and this it was brought that rating up from one star. I would read another book by Goodhand but perhaps not another short story collection.
I was sent this book as an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
basicallyhades's review against another edition
4.0
An eclectic collection of strange short stories, ranging from the gruesome to the quite charming, all invoking strong emotion in the reader.
Enkidu ★★☆☆☆
So I Can Win, the Galatrax Must Die ★★★☆☆
The Fur Trader's Daughter ★★★★★
Felix Baumgartner's Guardian Angel ★★★☆☆
What Bothers a Woman of the World ★★★★☆
Pastoral ★★★★☆
The Gamins of Winnipeg ★★★★★
Embassy Row ★★★☆☆
The Parachute ★★★★☆
Hansel, Gretel, and Katie ★★★★★
Average: 3.8
I'll admit, when I first started reading this collection of stories, that started with 'Enkidu', I had a sinking feeling that it wasn't the book for me. However I got through the first story, which had the vibe of a religious mythology origin story (which is the kind of thing I usually like but couldn't get into on this occasion), and was pleasantly surprised! Each story invoked a strong sense of emotion in me. In particular my favourites were The Fur Trader's Daughter, The Gamins of Winnipeg, and Hansel, Gretel, and Katie. I think what these stories had in common, apart from the Gamins of Winnipeg, is that they all had an air of fairytale (with Hansel, Gretel, and Katie obviously being a reimagining of the classic Hansel and Gretel). This is also something I enjoyed about Pastoral too. I think this is the kind of story Goodhand writes really well; although the strangeness that creeps out of the other stories is a particular highlight too.
If you like the kind of stories that will stick with you, I definitely recommend this collection. In a nutshell I would describe this book as strange, thought provoking, engrossing, and wonderful.
I received a free copy of this from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Enkidu ★★☆☆☆
So I Can Win, the Galatrax Must Die ★★★☆☆
The Fur Trader's Daughter ★★★★★
Felix Baumgartner's Guardian Angel ★★★☆☆
What Bothers a Woman of the World ★★★★☆
Pastoral ★★★★☆
The Gamins of Winnipeg ★★★★★
Embassy Row ★★★☆☆
The Parachute ★★★★☆
Hansel, Gretel, and Katie ★★★★★
Average: 3.8
I'll admit, when I first started reading this collection of stories, that started with 'Enkidu', I had a sinking feeling that it wasn't the book for me. However I got through the first story, which had the vibe of a religious mythology origin story (which is the kind of thing I usually like but couldn't get into on this occasion), and was pleasantly surprised! Each story invoked a strong sense of emotion in me. In particular my favourites were The Fur Trader's Daughter, The Gamins of Winnipeg, and Hansel, Gretel, and Katie. I think what these stories had in common, apart from the Gamins of Winnipeg, is that they all had an air of fairytale (with Hansel, Gretel, and Katie obviously being a reimagining of the classic Hansel and Gretel). This is also something I enjoyed about Pastoral too. I think this is the kind of story Goodhand writes really well; although the strangeness that creeps out of the other stories is a particular highlight too.
If you like the kind of stories that will stick with you, I definitely recommend this collection. In a nutshell I would describe this book as strange, thought provoking, engrossing, and wonderful.
I received a free copy of this from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
annarella's review
4.0
An engrossing and entertaining read. I appreciated this collection of well written, quirky and weird stories.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
elna17a9a's review
2.0
*Received via NetGalley for review*
An interesting collection with many different genres and styles. Unfortunately, the various stories didn't really engage me.
An interesting collection with many different genres and styles. Unfortunately, the various stories didn't really engage me.
wendleness's review
4.0
Goodhand certainly has a wonderful ability to take basic human feelings and struggles and portray them in bizarre and unusual narratives. Emotions made physical, philosophical concepts became human, and moral debates turned into fairy tales.
I loved a lot of the stories in this book. Several were must-keep-reading good. So I Can Win, the Galatrax must Die, about an... unusual... superfood and the lengths people go to to consume it. The Fur Trader's Daughter, about family, love, and what truly makes us human. The Gamins of Winnipeg, about staying true to yourself verses playing the game of life. The Parachute, about passion and success and jealously. Hansel, Gretel, and Katie, a wonderful twist on the classic that kept me guessing till the very end.
Every story provided a lot of food for thought and although I have my favourites, each and every story has stayed with me in its own way.
Overall this book was fairly mixed bag. Some strong 4- and 5-star stories, but definitely a few 2- and 3-stars as well. Hence the middle-ground rating of 3.5. I think everyone will find a story to love in this book, but not every story will be someone's cup of tea.
A slightly longer review can be found on my book blog: Marvel at Words.
I loved a lot of the stories in this book. Several were must-keep-reading good. So I Can Win, the Galatrax must Die, about an... unusual... superfood and the lengths people go to to consume it. The Fur Trader's Daughter, about family, love, and what truly makes us human. The Gamins of Winnipeg, about staying true to yourself verses playing the game of life. The Parachute, about passion and success and jealously. Hansel, Gretel, and Katie, a wonderful twist on the classic that kept me guessing till the very end.
Every story provided a lot of food for thought and although I have my favourites, each and every story has stayed with me in its own way.
Overall this book was fairly mixed bag. Some strong 4- and 5-star stories, but definitely a few 2- and 3-stars as well. Hence the middle-ground rating of 3.5. I think everyone will find a story to love in this book, but not every story will be someone's cup of tea.
A slightly longer review can be found on my book blog: Marvel at Words.
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