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ljpapp's review against another edition
3.0
I can't believe it took me six months to finish this book. While the stories were on the verge of funny, witty, punny...she writes such realistic characters that they were honestly a little boring. The dialogue was good, the imagery was spot on, and it was like she was accurately describing paint dry. I also have difficultly getting through a 40 page short story but that might just be me.
baselemil's review against another edition
4.0
Though all the stories are meandering, undramatic, and incomplete slice of life stories, the insights she weaves in with her often flowery writing keep things entertaining and enjoyable. There are times which her prose become too purple (especially for someone with a lower tolerance than I), it only bothered me in the first half of the second to last story. I have to say I also found this book incredibly depressing and nihilism inducing without the catharticism most books aiming for this would supply... So when you read the back and it talks about it being funny and witty, don't expect it to impart any sense of joy.
zhzhang's review against another edition
4.0
Some books are more likely to be enjoyed when you hold the actual book and read the text, and some books are the other way around - audio book with a great narrator could give you a totally different experience and you could just emerge yourself into the narration. For me, usually I prefer the latter, cause I need to walk my dog and do the chores and cooking. Yet, this book, I believe I could have enjoyed a lot more if I read it with text. I might come back to read the paper book. Each protagonist in different story is so different, which reflect all aspects of life you can imagine.
katecutrer's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of great stories mixed with good but not so great stories hence the 4 stars. It's a bit (a lot) on the depressed side (cancerous women, cancerous children, lonely people)but also has lots of funny bits in it. I liked her female characters best.
malvord27's review against another edition
5.0
This is my second Lorrie Moore book, and it wasn't till I had finished the book that I went to figure out if I'd read this author before. Something in the writing nagged me about halfway in, and I was certain I'd read her before. That says something about the style of writing - it's unique enough that my brain said "you've read this author before," and I grew more convinced of it the more I kept reading the book. What's odd is that I gave 3 out of 5 stars to the first book I read, Bark, and my review said something to the effect of "decent writing. The writing isn't for me, but I'd read another book by this same author." Present Beth is laughing at past Beth.
I picked up this book at Half-Price Books warehouse sale, and I'm so thankful I did. I had a really hard time putting this book down. I also suffered the classic dilemma of finishing a short story, wanting to close the book to savor the story and dwell on it, while simultaneously wanting to rush ahead and read the next story. My impatience won out every time!
Overall, I'd say that the short stories are about regular, ordinary people, who are going through some sort of hurt or trauma, or perhaps are slowly learning that what they thought about the world, others, themselves isn't quite true. I liked the stories for their ordinariness. I also liked the references to the midwest. I can't remember the details surrounding this next item, but there's an exchange between characters where the one character says she's originally from Iowa. The other person says, "Oh no honey, round here we call that O-hi-o." Cracked me up. People constantly confuse Iowa and Ohio and this Ohio-an can't quite figure out why.
I'll likely go back and re-read Bark to see if I appreciate it more now that I know I love Birds of America. I highly recommend this book.
I picked up this book at Half-Price Books warehouse sale, and I'm so thankful I did. I had a really hard time putting this book down. I also suffered the classic dilemma of finishing a short story, wanting to close the book to savor the story and dwell on it, while simultaneously wanting to rush ahead and read the next story. My impatience won out every time!
Overall, I'd say that the short stories are about regular, ordinary people, who are going through some sort of hurt or trauma, or perhaps are slowly learning that what they thought about the world, others, themselves isn't quite true. I liked the stories for their ordinariness. I also liked the references to the midwest. I can't remember the details surrounding this next item, but there's an exchange between characters where the one character says she's originally from Iowa. The other person says, "Oh no honey, round here we call that O-hi-o." Cracked me up. People constantly confuse Iowa and Ohio and this Ohio-an can't quite figure out why.
I'll likely go back and re-read Bark to see if I appreciate it more now that I know I love Birds of America. I highly recommend this book.
rachel_glenn's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.75
Each story tells of a person who is in a difficult relationship or emotional situation. I like that it portrays some realism and not just overly romantic or obviously abusive relationships. Real people are more nuanced, and the author shows this.