Reviews

Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evans

shanthereader's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? No

4.0

sara_shocks's review against another edition

5.0

Superb short stories, with something in each one that lingered with me.

emelynreads's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Obsessed with the story of Snakes, it could be a whole movie, probably produced by Reese Witherspoon starring Kerry Washington. I loved this collection of coming of age stories and characters going through tough times and making questionable decisions. Danielle Evans needs to come out with a novel!

joyfulpages's review against another edition

4.0

Efficient and striking writing; layered characters I wanted to know more about. Funny as hell in parts, sad in others, usually both at the same time. Short stories rarely stay with me like these have.

girlglitch's review against another edition

4.0

Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self is an assured debut collection of short stories.

While much of the context to each of these stories is deeply rooted in US culture, Evans' insights into race, friendship and womanhood have a wider significance. Her stories strip back every day life just enough to reveal the insecurities and injustices that simmer beneath the surface. It's hard to think of a writer who better captures that particularly millennial malaise.

Great to see this fabulous collection getting its first UK publication.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

ali_oops's review against another edition

emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

jeshica's review against another edition

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

4.25

iconicavocado's review

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Racism, Racial slurs, and Mental illness

Moderate: War, Bullying, Sexism, Cursing, Abortion, and Abandonment

Minor: Sexual content

kgeogheghan's review against another edition

3.0

A mixed bag - some stories I enjoyed, but others I struggled to finish. 

danielm87's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective 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

4.0