sarahbsews's review

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reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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olliepopop's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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ka_cam's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-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? Yes

4.75

Once I started reading this short story collection it was hard to stop! Quite varied in types but themes of connection, family, diaspora, and women’s relationships/desires (incl some casual queerness love 2 see it). Some of the stories read more like teasers or brainstorms for a longer story/novel, rather than complete short stories. All in all really enjoyed and am excited to read more by this author! 

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mc235's review

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a phenomenal collection of short stories. Almost every single story in this is a winner, which I almost never find in short story collections. Stylistically varied with excellent writing throughout, thematically focused on family relationships in most, particularly parent & child/generational. I think about several stories from this regularly. It's pretty dark and at times pessimistic, but such a wonderful read. I absolutely cannot wait to read whatever Arimah does next. Read this book!!!

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aeterna's review

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A lot of the stories had very unique and interesting premises. Arimah's writing style can be very impactful. At times the stories and characters are so vague to the point where it was distracting and confusing.

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princeofthefleshprison's review

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes

5.0

Dark, poignant, and melancholy all throughout, What It Means When A Man Falls From the Sky is an accomplished collection. Grief and generational trauma haunt all of the eclectic characters, whether that be a pregnant teenage con artist or a goddess searching for her children. Spanning across the diverse settings its protagonists find themselves in —from modern-day US to futuristic Lagos —  each story is written with noteworthy wit and simplicity, just before the final, gut-wrenching end. Highly recommend, 

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a2_rache11's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

3.5⭐

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franklybookish's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

4.0


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readandfindout's review

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challenging reflective medium-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Trigger warnings: Domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse and harassment, references to rape, suicidal ideation

Overall rating: 4 stars

The Future Looks Good: 4 stars
War Stories: 4.5 stars
Wild: 5 stars
Light: 4.5 stars
Second Chances: 4 stars
Windfalls: 3 stars
Who Will Greet You at Home: 5 stars
Buchi's Girls: 3 stars
What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky: 4.5 stars
Glory: 4 stars
What is a Volcano?: 2.5 stars
Redemption: 3.5 stars

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