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year23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The first story felt so familiar - I swear I've seen it in movie/tv form. I'm curious to read this author's other novel Fever Dream after this. I think I wanted more from at least half of the stories, but in terms of grappling with the underbelly of humanity and nature, it's successful. The writing is accessible, immediately draws you in and creates a scene, vibe, and strong characters. I want to stay with it - explore the depths more of these little worlds the author creates, but again, not really a short story collection at that point.
Do check the content warnings.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Death, and Hate crime
emory's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a unique collection. I've had it on my radar since reading Fever Dream and absolutely adoring it. This is such a haunting writing style. Schweblin's characters all exist in the perfect space between realistic enough not to break the reader's suspension of disbelief yet odd enough to consistently intrigue and unsettle. The mood drives the stories, and close to all of them left me with a disquietting and moved feeling at their conclusion with only a few pages each. Some are allegorical--and I find these ones particularly strong--some are simply about the feelings they evoke, and some I haven't figured out yet. But if you are also looking for stories in which the author is setting you up with something to think about rather than giving you all the answers, I think this is an excellent short story collection. I especially loved her exploration of depression and hopelessness, parent and child relationships, and the nature of violence in art. There were a couple of stories that did not work for me, and sometimes i found the pacing challenging, but overall I found this a very good read.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Racism, Animal cruelty, Violence, Murder, Animal death, Blood, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Moderate: Physical abuse and Child abuse
One story (Heads Against Concrete) is written from the POV of a violent racist attempting to justify himself. He is explicitly racist against specifically Korean people and others of Asian descent. Includes mention of physical assault against these groups, as well as others throughout the narrator's life including a girlfriend. Another story (The Test) is about a person who must kill a dog in order to prove themselves to a group of people. Graphic and upsetting.ek4therin4h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
heidishartrandnewell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Death, Violence, Murder, Infertility, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Homophobia, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Pregnancy, Racism, Ableism, Abortion, Cancer, Child death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
jtkerlin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
0.25
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Majority of stories simply endchristiona's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Violence
ireneac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty
millyfox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, and Gore
Minor: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Vomit, Mental illness, and Abortion
wikikapusta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Gore, Infidelity, Violence, and Abortion
savvylit's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Grief, Violence, and Murder