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booksnorkel's review against another edition
1.0
This book sucked. I had to muscle through it and found it to be terrible. I really did not like this book. It dithered and went on and on. There is this one story where a girl doesn't want her boyfriend to know that her parents like to 'rough it' in the woods, THE END. So if you are a fan of Atwood, do yourself a favor and put this book back. Seriously put it down and walk away.
tilikon's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
3shinywindows's review
2.0
As is the problem with most short story collections, I wished some of them were longer and some of them were shorter. I feel like maybe this book is of its time and perhaps that's why I didn't enjoy it as much, I couldn't really relate to most of the themes and characters written about. Some of the stories shed light on women's issues but others just felt like women complaining about their crappy husbands and whether or not they were getting cheated on.
varbles's review against another edition
4.0
This collection is about the relationships between various people. Relationships between lovers, siblings, parents & children, doctors & patients, and random strangers. A couple seem to be personal anecdotes. Most of the stories aren't particularly happy stories, but they all reflect relationships in their various forms, warts and joys and all.
I particularly enjoyed "The Sunrise". The protagonist reminds me of myself, and I somehow fell inexplicably serene and happy at the end of it, and I've read it four times.
I particularly enjoyed "The Sunrise". The protagonist reminds me of myself, and I somehow fell inexplicably serene and happy at the end of it, and I've read it four times.
eososray's review against another edition
3.0
My favorite stories:
Significant Moments in the Life of My Mother
This felt like both a love story from a daughter to a mother and a bit of a historical fiction, showing the differences between generations. I love how Atwood wove the mothers reminisces in with the daughters comments on her mothers ways.
Hurricane Hazel
I thought this story also explored the mother daughter relationship but in a smaller way, through the daughter discussing her boyfriend. I did find it a little creepy that she was 14 and her boyfriend was 17. I know it's not a big gap but it doesn't feel like they would be on the same relationship page.
Loulou;" or, "The Domestic Life of the Language
Despite thinking this lady was crazy, who would possibly want to live in the same house with an ex-husband, current husband and 2 ex-lovers, none of whom make any money?? I enjoyed the fact that she was in charge of her household and ran things her way. I really liked her view of herself as an artist, she doesn't consider herself the airy fairy type but a craftsman very much rooted in the earth. Which is how I've always seen the potters I've met, they do have that type of attitude to life.
Stories I Liked:
The Sunrise
I like how this artist was following men around and some of them fled without finding out her innocent reason for doing so. It was an interesting take on this artists life.
Unearthing Suite
A fascinating set of parents and the daughters view of them. It was an good dynamic and a good story.
The Rest:
Uglypuss
There was little of interest in this story for me. A profligate young man with communist tendencies who likes to put on street theater that seems to piss off everyone, treats a woman bad and she gets revenge.
Betty
A couple young kids are fascinated by their neighbours, in particular the husband and his charming personality. Somehow the wife is the topic of the story but I don't really understand the appeal of her life or it's ending.
Bluebeard's Egg
A simple marriage that might have a few secrets, but I didn't care nor did I feel too sorry for her. Why purposely pick a man to take of and who seems simple?
Spring Song of the Frogs
A man who is lost in the modern world. He doesn't understand his niece or his dates.
Scarlet Ibis
A sad family vacation that I might have to kill myself if I was on.
The Salt Garden
Marriages that aren't working and the lovers that have joined the relationships and it's all so complicated and messy.
The Sin Eater
Therapy and death and introspection, it was a bit boring.
Significant Moments in the Life of My Mother
This felt like both a love story from a daughter to a mother and a bit of a historical fiction, showing the differences between generations. I love how Atwood wove the mothers reminisces in with the daughters comments on her mothers ways.
Hurricane Hazel
I thought this story also explored the mother daughter relationship but in a smaller way, through the daughter discussing her boyfriend. I did find it a little creepy that she was 14 and her boyfriend was 17. I know it's not a big gap but it doesn't feel like they would be on the same relationship page.
Loulou;" or, "The Domestic Life of the Language
Despite thinking this lady was crazy, who would possibly want to live in the same house with an ex-husband, current husband and 2 ex-lovers, none of whom make any money?? I enjoyed the fact that she was in charge of her household and ran things her way. I really liked her view of herself as an artist, she doesn't consider herself the airy fairy type but a craftsman very much rooted in the earth. Which is how I've always seen the potters I've met, they do have that type of attitude to life.
Stories I Liked:
The Sunrise
I like how this artist was following men around and some of them fled without finding out her innocent reason for doing so. It was an interesting take on this artists life.
Unearthing Suite
A fascinating set of parents and the daughters view of them. It was an good dynamic and a good story.
The Rest:
Uglypuss
There was little of interest in this story for me. A profligate young man with communist tendencies who likes to put on street theater that seems to piss off everyone, treats a woman bad and she gets revenge.
Betty
A couple young kids are fascinated by their neighbours, in particular the husband and his charming personality. Somehow the wife is the topic of the story but I don't really understand the appeal of her life or it's ending.
Bluebeard's Egg
A simple marriage that might have a few secrets, but I didn't care nor did I feel too sorry for her. Why purposely pick a man to take of and who seems simple?
Spring Song of the Frogs
A man who is lost in the modern world. He doesn't understand his niece or his dates.
Scarlet Ibis
A sad family vacation that I might have to kill myself if I was on.
The Salt Garden
Marriages that aren't working and the lovers that have joined the relationships and it's all so complicated and messy.
The Sin Eater
Therapy and death and introspection, it was a bit boring.
bolivianrash's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
The last story is being about poop concludes perfectly as a shitty ending to a shitty book.
kandicez's review against another edition
2.0
Atwood's dystopic fiction is amazing and I always want that when I crack open one of her books. I'm sure it speaks to her talent that dystopia is not all she writes, but for me, it's all I want.
These are lovely stories of women and I am certain that if I had read them under another author's name I would have enjoyed them more than I did. I was looking for something that simply wasn't there. These are little vignettes told in richly phrased paragraphs that have probably delighted millions of readers.
Just not what I wanted when I opened it.
These are lovely stories of women and I am certain that if I had read them under another author's name I would have enjoyed them more than I did. I was looking for something that simply wasn't there. These are little vignettes told in richly phrased paragraphs that have probably delighted millions of readers.
Just not what I wanted when I opened it.
whatsatajahism's review against another edition
1.0
I found this collection soooo boring. The short story actually titled Bluebeards Egg was alright, but i struggled through all the others..... Atwood's sci-fi work is amazing, but just generally writing about the humdrum? Nah, not a fan.