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bee_afraid's review against another edition
3.0
nach first love last rites komplett enttäuschend, aber dead as they come war funny und psychopolis war okay
blakeisgreene's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mariyamak's review
3.0
Supposedly, Ian McEwan used these stories to find his voice, and in that sense, I am glad he took the time, because his later work is so much better. These were interesting, and there was a beauty about the grotesqueness of some of these.
videotape's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Generally boring collection of short stories that often feel devoid of emotion. Psychopolis sucked a little less than the rest of them, but only because I half cared for some of the characters. Though, this review isn't to demonstrate that the book is particularly bad in certain areas, more the lack of good aspects leading it to underwhelm.
samuelson_obi's review
3.0
I picked up this early collection by Ian McEwan solely to reread” Psychopolis” a short story I had previously read an extract of. This time I was treated to the whole story as well as the full collection.
That I found simultaneously fascinating and disturbing. Disturbing I might add, in a, something you can almost see out the corner of your eye, but you dare not turn to see it fully, kind of way.
From the two-timing owner of a porn shop, to the thoughts of a kept ape,
The author Describes a visceral almost post-apocalyptic sexually starved England that is almost recognisable.
Though I didn’t exactly enjoy all the instalments in this collection, I’m now interested enough to read some more of McEwan’s later works.
This was a 3 stars for me.
I liked it.
That I found simultaneously fascinating and disturbing. Disturbing I might add, in a, something you can almost see out the corner of your eye, but you dare not turn to see it fully, kind of way.
From the two-timing owner of a porn shop, to the thoughts of a kept ape,
The author Describes a visceral almost post-apocalyptic sexually starved England that is almost recognisable.
Though I didn’t exactly enjoy all the instalments in this collection, I’m now interested enough to read some more of McEwan’s later works.
This was a 3 stars for me.
I liked it.
jayden_mccomiskie's review
3.0
I'd actually give this 3.5. It's not as succinct as First Love, Last Rites, but still very enjoyable and classic Macabre.
septimusmith's review
3.0
This is the second collection of short stories by Ian McEwan published in 1978 after [b:First Love, Last Rites|26085741|First Love, Last Rites|Ian McEwan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519936654l/26085741._SY75_.jpg|3125981] in 1975.
All these stories share a lot of darkness, perversity, and absurdity in many "unpopular" topics such as incest, morbid sexuality, murder, and toxic human relationships. I really loved how they give you the feeling and meaning of McEwan's later novels and his writing style.
As the author himself stated back then: "They were a kind of laboratory for me. They allowed me to try out different things, to discover myself as a writer."
All these stories share a lot of darkness, perversity, and absurdity in many "unpopular" topics such as incest, morbid sexuality, murder, and toxic human relationships. I really loved how they give you the feeling and meaning of McEwan's later novels and his writing style.
As the author himself stated back then: "They were a kind of laboratory for me. They allowed me to try out different things, to discover myself as a writer."
sofface's review
2.0
Although the writing in these short stories is very well done, I found it difficult to read and stay engaged with.
I found a lot of main characters to be completely removed from the events surrounding them and there I felt disengaged.
I found a lot of main characters to be completely removed from the events surrounding them and there I felt disengaged.
yaelgelman's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0