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sneezypenguin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
bishop_504's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was assigned to read this book for a writing class. We read a short story in between classes and then discussed it.
I think this is probably the best way to enjoy this book. Each story is deceptively simple with lots of ways that it can be read into.
Definitely feels very English class in the way that you’re meant to analyze it, but would probably be really good for something like a book club too.
We looked at it a lot from a Christian perspective, focusing on the idea of the grace of God being something that is both grotesque and holy. Lots of the stories had a sort of Jesus-type character, although interestingly he was not always a moral person. Most of the characters aren’t moral people, the short stories discuss a lot of the human condition and this idea of innate sinfulness. Often the main character of a story gets ‘saved’ in some capacity, but not usually a positive capacity that you might expect. It was pretty interesting.
I was uncomfortable though because the book used the n word and other slurs a lot of times. I’m used to listening to rap and stuff, but it definitely is more weird when some white lady writes it down. I guess this book is pretty old but it still felt weird to me, even if the point was that the people she wrote saying those things were not moral people. To Kill a Mockingbird type beat I guess.
I think this is probably the best way to enjoy this book. Each story is deceptively simple with lots of ways that it can be read into.
Definitely feels very English class in the way that you’re meant to analyze it, but would probably be really good for something like a book club too.
We looked at it a lot from a Christian perspective, focusing on the idea of the grace of God being something that is both grotesque and holy. Lots of the stories had a sort of Jesus-type character, although interestingly he was not always a moral person. Most of the characters aren’t moral people, the short stories discuss a lot of the human condition and this idea of innate sinfulness. Often the main character of a story gets ‘saved’ in some capacity, but not usually a positive capacity that you might expect. It was pretty interesting.
I was uncomfortable though because the book used the n word and other slurs a lot of times. I’m used to listening to rap and stuff, but it definitely is more weird when some white lady writes it down. I guess this book is pretty old but it still felt weird to me, even if the point was that the people she wrote saying those things were not moral people. To Kill a Mockingbird type beat I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
nicholascap's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A horrible, grotesque, nightmare of short stories immersed in the south ! I've learned nothing but the evil in men's hearts... and to show people where your artifical leg unattaches!
eamcmahon3's review against another edition
4.0
It's hard to rate a collection of short stories. Overall, I really enjoyed the Southern Gothic style and I get the appeal of Flannery O'Connor. The River and The Displaced Persom were my favorite. In the version I had, there was an intro that talked about the racism that underlies O'Connor's work. That intro provided great context that made me like the book more.
1. A Good Man is Hard to Find
2. The River
3. The Life You Save May Be Your Own
4. A Stroke of Good Fortune
5. A Temple of the Holy Ghost
6. The Artificial ******
7. A Circle of Fire
8. A Late Encounter with the Enemy
9. Good Country People
10. The Displaced Person
1. A Good Man is Hard to Find
2. The River
3. The Life You Save May Be Your Own
4. A Stroke of Good Fortune
5. A Temple of the Holy Ghost
6. The Artificial ******
7. A Circle of Fire
8. A Late Encounter with the Enemy
9. Good Country People
10. The Displaced Person
timmoydaen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
schofield24's review against another edition
4.0
I read some of these back in college and it's time to read them again. I love the short story genre and Flannery O'Connor is masterful.
ratcousin's review against another edition
2.5
Very hot or miss collection of stories. I feel like I would have gotten more out of each of them if I had a class discussion after the fact.
smfrazer's review against another edition
3.0
Good collection of dark short stories... which sometimes made them hard to want to read