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dani_rayne's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rocketiza's review against another edition
4.0
Thom Jones has this ability to just smash you with his language. This collection felt a little more contemporary than the last one I read by him, and some of the stories felt less like gritty reality, but still really enjoyable in the cadence of the interaction and narration.
katiers01's review against another edition
2.0
i don’t know if it’s because i am wildly overstimulated right now but this wasn’t good
lorimiller's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
samarakroeger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this little story about an angsty teenage boxer. I’d totally read more short stories from Thom Jones, given that I didn’t even find the subject of this one that interesting but I still enjoyed reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Racial slurs
mxreyn0lds's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
adrianasturalvarez's review against another edition
3.0
This one was disappointing. After reading Jones' earlier collection, The Pugilist at Rest, and being completely blown away, this one, his latest collection of short stories, felt stunted. Sadly, Thom Jones doesn't seem to be growing as an artist. The result is a lot of telling without showing, the repetition of earlier themes or characters without any new development, and a list of unlikable characters paralytically unable to change. Although there are some fine stories here (I liked "40, Still at Home," "Tarantula," and "Mouses" a great deal) others, like "A Midnight Clear" and particularly the last story "You Cheated, You Lied" evidenced (to me, anyway) a writer unable to commit to developing a novel. Frustrating.
Overall, this is still a worthwhile collection, especially if you're already familiar with Jones' writing. When he's writing hot, his storytelling is masterful.
Overall, this is still a worthwhile collection, especially if you're already familiar with Jones' writing. When he's writing hot, his storytelling is masterful.
caiomhe's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5