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rettaroo's review against another edition
Favorites:
Waste
Dinner
There Will Be Sense
Diary of the Blockage
Devoured it. But, I think it's best to read this collection as if eating chocolates, a piece here and there, spread out to make it last.
Waste
Dinner
There Will Be Sense
Diary of the Blockage
Devoured it. But, I think it's best to read this collection as if eating chocolates, a piece here and there, spread out to make it last.
plantonic_friendships's review against another edition
5.0
Since reading an excerpt at AWP 2016, I've been obsessing over the short story and that plate of hair at the center of the table. So I bought it in December and don't regret it. A fun read for anyone who loves humorous magical realism.
ulrikworm's review against another edition
3.0
Udmærket samling af ekstrem underlige små historier, men ikke helt op på hendes samling "Gutshot". Der er dog nogle helt fantastiske noveller i blandingen som The Vanished, The Pit og Waste
captainyaht's review against another edition
5.0
In terms of a review, Amelia Gray’s short fiction could be reduced to an equation (this would be unfair) that would involve subtracting or multiplying Donald Barthleme. So go read that guy.
Her work (this and “THREATS”) has the visceral effect I think Is best compared to having seen a foreign or independent film on your own. Something that shook what seemed possible on film. And you might describe it like shit but want everyone you to see it (eg. I saw David Lynch’s film “Inland Empire” 11 times to show friends “THIS! This! this!”)
Here’s a statement that applies to some of the best of these stories:
These are worth reading because your mind doesn’t work this way. There’s a reason someone’s mind does and you’ll sit back and think is this a humor? Or, is this a provocation (and of what quality, by the by)? Or, is this fingering America in a way that welllll ya gottta think on it?
Good book. If I was still teaching English, I’d teach a story from it.
Her work (this and “THREATS”) has the visceral effect I think Is best compared to having seen a foreign or independent film on your own. Something that shook what seemed possible on film. And you might describe it like shit but want everyone you to see it (eg. I saw David Lynch’s film “Inland Empire” 11 times to show friends “THIS! This! this!”)
Here’s a statement that applies to some of the best of these stories:
These are worth reading because your mind doesn’t work this way. There’s a reason someone’s mind does and you’ll sit back and think is this a humor? Or, is this a provocation (and of what quality, by the by)? Or, is this fingering America in a way that welllll ya gottta think on it?
Good book. If I was still teaching English, I’d teach a story from it.
debbiewakefield10's review against another edition
4.0
This is an entertaining, well written creative collection of short short stories. With any collection of stories, some I liked more than others. I enjoyed the boyfriend suitcase, plate of hair and babies stories. I didn't enjoy the vulture, the cube, or the vanished. I was really impressed with how unique the story ideas were but wish they had been longer.
mobilisinmobili's review against another edition
4.0
A charming series of short stories based around strange and wonderful objects. A nice weird little read.
egleezy's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
I enjoyed the surreal quality of the stories. The quirks in plot and character are written so matter of factly that its another layer of humor. A very unique and quick read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cannibalism, Confinement, and Gore
jasminenoack's review against another edition
3.0
first book of 2011!
This book suffers from a common problem of second books read. It isn't as good as the first book.
If this book had been written by nick hornby it would have been 4 stars, if it had been debut collection it would have been a high 4 stars perhaps a low five. But compared to Gray's other book this one just wasn't quite as enjoyable for me it's definitely like a 3.4 comparatively. On some level this is unfair, I'm expecting a level of perfection or an approach that I saw before and not judging this book objectively on it's own merits, but the world isn't an objective place.
This is not to say this book doesn't have it's good points. A lot of the stories in this book push the boundaries of conventional reality. One asks what is pork? and if we eat that where do we draw the line on what we can eat? These stories not only question our values but they do it in a way that we have no choice but to stand back and say, gosh that is true.
These are beautiful stories and well worth a read.
This book suffers from a common problem of second books read. It isn't as good as the first book.
If this book had been written by nick hornby it would have been 4 stars, if it had been debut collection it would have been a high 4 stars perhaps a low five. But compared to Gray's other book this one just wasn't quite as enjoyable for me it's definitely like a 3.4 comparatively. On some level this is unfair, I'm expecting a level of perfection or an approach that I saw before and not judging this book objectively on it's own merits, but the world isn't an objective place.
This is not to say this book doesn't have it's good points. A lot of the stories in this book push the boundaries of conventional reality. One asks what is pork? and if we eat that where do we draw the line on what we can eat? These stories not only question our values but they do it in a way that we have no choice but to stand back and say, gosh that is true.
These are beautiful stories and well worth a read.
tanyadillyn's review against another edition
4.0
Twisted, dark, and quirky. These stories were often gross and always haunting, but all kind of adorably. If that makes sense. Looking forward to what else lives in Amelia Gray's brain.