You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.08k reviews for:
Krótka historia Stowarzyszenia Nieurodziwych Dziewuch i inne opowiadania
Helen Oyeyemi
3.76 AVERAGE
1.08k reviews for:
Krótka historia Stowarzyszenia Nieurodziwych Dziewuch i inne opowiadania
Helen Oyeyemi
3.76 AVERAGE
The stories in Helen Oyeyemi's What is Not Yours is Not Yours are connected by the recurring motif of keys and also by a few recurring characters. Many of them have fabulist elements, which is something I'm always drawn to in short stories, and they often contain stories within stories that don't seem to relate to each other at first but then blend beautifully by the end. My favorites in the collection were "'sorry' doesn't sweeten her tea," about a man trying to help his stepdaughter deal with the revelation that her musical crush is facing a MeToo allegation, and "is your blood as red as this?" about aspiring puppeteers and their very strange puppets. Although Oyeyemi's writing is consistently great throughout, some of the stories grabbed me much more than others.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's probably because I'm very new to reading short story collections, but I did find that just as I was becoming interested in a story, it would end - usually with no resolution. I'm quite sure that this done on purpose, and I have no doubt that this more ambiguous style would appeal to many people. For me, though, it often left me wanting more. However, 10/10 for diverse characters that feel very natural and real, and the worlds are very enchanting and absorbing. Overall a fun read, but perhaps not for short story newbies.
I didn't get it, any of it. And just when I thought I was starting to put the story together, then it ended. Maybe it was just me, maybe you are more intellectual than I am, or maybe this just is too complicated for any of us. I didn't find it easy reading.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Magical realism as a genre can be a bit of an acquired taste. It takes a lot of trust to allow an author to take you by the hand and drop you in a setting where strange and inexplicable things happen without the rules of a magical system, or indeed any rhyme or reason. Helen Oyeyemi is absolutely deserving of this trust. “What is Not Yours is Not Yours” is a wonderful collection of fairy tale-like stories loosely tied together with the motif of locks and keys which pop up in each story to raise the question, to whom does anything truly belong? This collection is surprising and delightful in bounds - HIGHLY recommend to add some much needed playfulness into your year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization
the meaning of theses stories and I, we passed each other like two ships in the night
favs:
1. a brief history of the lonely wench society
2. books and roses
3. ‘sorry’ doesn’t sweeten her tea
favs:
1. a brief history of the lonely wench society
2. books and roses
3. ‘sorry’ doesn’t sweeten her tea
There was only one story I couldn't get into. The rest of them were page turners, a bit dark. She's a masterful writer. Poetic prose. I'm going to read Mr. Fox next!
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I love Helen Oyeyemi and would read her version of the phone book but I'm not sure if this story collection was really for me. It took me about 6 weeks to read it and it made me feel preeeeeeeetty dumb at points. Beautiful though!
It took me way longer than it should've to realize the stories were connected via characters. More thoughts later.