Scan barcode
fionak's review against another edition
funny
sad
5.0
I think Alice Walker is going to be my new favourite writer. Every story was great; some heart wrenching, others amusing but none of them disappointed which never happens with me & short story collections.
fanni_ann's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
perpetually_reading_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.75
irreverentreader's review against another edition
1.5
I read The Color Purple last year, and it’s raw and powerful story really touched me. I rated it an 8/10, mostly because I wanted Walker to hash out the childhood relationship with the sisters more and also their reunion in the end. Perhaps that should have foreshadowed to me that if relationship building was lacking in novel form, it would be even more apparent in her short stories.
Most of what I gleaned from these stories was misery. Which works, but only to an extent. Almost every story centered around pain caused by poverty, abuse, and loneliness. But unlike The Color Purple, there was never a plot that allowed for growth, grace, strength, or perseverance to push through and make the lament into a story with trajectory.
Walker also used her short stories to experiment in her writing styles and form. All of which was very different from TCP. I’ll be honest—I don’t love reading experimental works. It takes away from the flow state of reading because my brain is only focused on what she is trying to accomplish. For me, it didn’t work, but that doesn’t mean it was bad. I just personally didn’t connect with it.
It was pretty much a full strike out for me. The wasn’t enough specificity or depth to make the stories stand out from one another. In many of them, I didn't feel like there was a point, besides miring the reader down in hardship and squalor—the best example being Strong Horse Tea. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Entertaining God because I felt like the writing form didn’t detract from the character building.
This was a huge bummer because I feel like it solidified why I normally avoid short stories. It took me four days to read 137 pages and threw me into a terrible reading slump.
Most of what I gleaned from these stories was misery. Which works, but only to an extent. Almost every story centered around pain caused by poverty, abuse, and loneliness. But unlike The Color Purple, there was never a plot that allowed for growth, grace, strength, or perseverance to push through and make the lament into a story with trajectory.
Walker also used her short stories to experiment in her writing styles and form. All of which was very different from TCP. I’ll be honest—I don’t love reading experimental works. It takes away from the flow state of reading because my brain is only focused on what she is trying to accomplish. For me, it didn’t work, but that doesn’t mean it was bad. I just personally didn’t connect with it.
It was pretty much a full strike out for me. The wasn’t enough specificity or depth to make the stories stand out from one another. In many of them, I didn't feel like there was a point, besides miring the reader down in hardship and squalor—the best example being Strong Horse Tea. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Entertaining God because I felt like the writing form didn’t detract from the character building.
This was a huge bummer because I feel like it solidified why I normally avoid short stories. It took me four days to read 137 pages and threw me into a terrible reading slump.
gabjd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
nobody else is capable of what alice walker is. i seriously wish there was more to this collection but i’ll pick up something else by her again soon. these short stories are insane and amazing and they are all must reads. if you want to read about crazy, interesting women, skip racist sylvia plath and the yellow wallpaper and read these!!!
matthewwester's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not always in the mood for short story collections but I decided to give this book a try when I saw a couple copies in my local thrift store. Since Walker is an established poet, I assumed her stories would be rich with character description and emotional nuance. I wasn't wrong; Walker does a great job placing the reader in the middle of each scene. Out of the 13 stories, my favorite is "Everyday Use" because it is a fascinating clash of perspectives, challenging the reader to consider the true meaning of "heritage." Good stuff -- I give this book 3.5 stars.
pantehnreads's review against another edition
4.0
I gotta say that Miss Walker is quite the writer, she is able to discuss the good,bad, ugly, beauty and life of being a black woman and a black non man. I love short story collections and this one was very good. To be honest some of the stores were hard to read. She deals with many topics that could be and are (for some) triggering, so just be aware of that. With that being said it is clear that her writings are something special. I highly recommend giving it a read.
lailamay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
ikerareads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
These stories are complex and show the ranges of Black womenhood and Black identity. The writing is beautiful and the stories are captivating.
emmacolon's review
5.0
alice walker’s books have been like sacred texts to me and this collection of short stories about women who seek is no exception.
my favorites were “the welcome table” and “diary of an african nun”. :’)
my favorites were “the welcome table” and “diary of an african nun”. :’)