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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This collection of shorts was so gritty and satisfying, as well as sad in a weird way. Its also the first collection of short stories where I loved every single one, each with their own personality but in the same setting. I bought Jordan Harper's novel after reading this.
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A lean mean batch of southern crime fiction. Love this shit.
Quite simply outstanding work from Jordan Harper, comparisons have been drawn to the bigger names in the genre but Harper stands out in a very talented crowd.
The reason I enjoy short story collections by a single author is so I can see their range, what they can do with different types of tales. And when they're good, it's like going to a buffet where there are so many wonderful dishes, you have a hard time deciding what's best. This collection is a marvelous buffet. Good hard crime stories with interesting characters and plots. Tough stuff, gritty, and the feeling of real streets. Harper has a winner with this one.
I'm a big fan of Jordan's unique voice, especially since I live in Missouri. It feels real because he knows the area, and the gritty criminal world doesn't feel forced. This is a really strong collection of short stories.
Top flight meth noir, albeit way lighter on the meth than like a Donald Ray Pollock. Bonus, about half the stories take place in a Springfield, MO, that is stylized into something approaching Sin City (the comic book), but with authentic local flair (there's a nod to what would seem to be Aunt Martha's), so that's fun.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very raw; this short story collection is very reminiscent of Frank Bill and other Appalachian writers. Meth heads, Aryan brothers, murder, prison tattoos, hillbillies, bar fights, and heists; these quick and dirty stories real you in instantly. There are no happy endings, only vindictive victories, revenges, or defeats. Not an uplifting read, but an engaging one that readers won't be able to stop thinking about.
UPDATE!
I carelessly neglected to mention in February when I reviewed this fabulous collection of stories that I was reading an ARC - this book is now available and I can't recommend it enough. More Harper, please!
.............................................................................
It's ok if most of these stories are culled from Harper's earlier collection [b:American Death Songs|17162036|American Death Songs|Jordan Harper|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356205476s/17162036.jpg|23587436]. If you missed that book you can catch up; if you've read ADS you can revisit stories that will make you feel like you're walking on legs recently broke and not set right.
I read the titular story aloud to my wife and made her cry. I read Lucy in the Pit before bed last night and made myself cry. I'm not here to tell that everything between the covers of this book is depressing, but I am here to say that all 16 stories play straight with their audience.
This collection will be availble for purchase in July 2015. Many thanks to friend Karen for sharing her galley copy with me. Sorry, karen not Karen. She may be all lowercase but she is all UPPERCLASS.
I carelessly neglected to mention in February when I reviewed this fabulous collection of stories that I was reading an ARC - this book is now available and I can't recommend it enough. More Harper, please!
.............................................................................
It's ok if most of these stories are culled from Harper's earlier collection [b:American Death Songs|17162036|American Death Songs|Jordan Harper|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356205476s/17162036.jpg|23587436]. If you missed that book you can catch up; if you've read ADS you can revisit stories that will make you feel like you're walking on legs recently broke and not set right.
I read the titular story aloud to my wife and made her cry. I read Lucy in the Pit before bed last night and made myself cry. I'm not here to tell that everything between the covers of this book is depressing, but I am here to say that all 16 stories play straight with their audience.
This collection will be availble for purchase in July 2015. Many thanks to friend Karen for sharing her galley copy with me. Sorry, karen not Karen. She may be all lowercase but she is all UPPERCLASS.
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense