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floorflawless's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine, but didn't blow me away.
Oh and the N-word in the second story was unnecessary.
Oh and the N-word in the second story was unnecessary.
spauffwrites's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of three novellas, of which the final - Pale Horse, Pale Rider - is the best. Read the first and third together since they have the same characters. The middle story Noon Wine reads a bit like Flannery O'Connor
neglet's review against another edition
The edition I read contained three novellas; I found “Noon Wine,” about a mysterious drifter who changes a family’s fortunes, most compelling. The title story, which takes place during the 1918 influenza pandemic, is interesting but somewhat stream of consciousness, not my favorite style. An interesting collection, but somewhat challenging to read due to the long sentences and paragraphs.
jacquie_macmullin's review
4.0
My favorite of the three stories was Noon Wine. And while Pale Horse, Pale Rider was my least favorite story, I did still enjoy it. I personally found Porter’s writing style a little hard to follow at times so I had to reread passages frequently. On a positive note, I thought the stories were creative and thought-provoking. And I felt that they gave me a good glimpse into life in the US in the early twentieth century. Some books stick with you while others are quickly forgotten; I have a feeling this one will be the former. I read an article that stated these collection of stories ask: “What were we? What are we? What will we be?” I love this. These are the questions Porter asks in Old Mortality, Noon Wine, and Pale Horse, Pale Rider. And these are the questions humankind will always ask.
What were we?
What are we?
What will we be?
What were we?
What are we?
What will we be?
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
4.0
Of the three novellas in this book, I thought the best was Old Mortality. I loved the theme of family legends and myths and how they color the life and expectations of the younger generations brought up on these mythologized characters. It was excellent. Noon Wine was solid, about a Texas family and the migrant Swede who comes to work for them. It had a chilling ending and the character of Mr Thompson, in particular, was really well observed. The titular story, Pale Horse, Pale Rider, was my least favorite. Maybe a story about having the Spanish Flu was not the best to read during the current pandemic? ;) This aside, I also felt that its observations on death, love during war time, and the will to live (though all true) were not really earth shattering.
janae126's review against another edition
4.0
The title story/novella hit a little too close to home. But overall enough variety across the three, while still similarities. Overall enjoyable reads. Long enough to hold attention without having to "switch gears" very often/every 10 pages (my biggest issue with short stories and getting into a new book).
mrdietz's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first experience reading Katherine Anne Porter’s fiction, and there’s plenty to recommend within it. Each of the three novellas in this collection are impressive in their ease at establishing characters and settings. There’s an impressive human spirit within the words. The style is engaging and distinct. I think Noon Wine was my favorite of the three, but I’m easily enchanted by any Southern Gothic tale. Obviously there are some striking connections reading the story Pale Horse, Pale Rider during another global pandemic. We must also soon reckon with the silence once this pestilence has passed.
lisa_vautier's review against another edition
5.0
For the first two of the three novellas ( or as Porter preferred - short novels)in this edition I felt that I was reading with appreciation and admiring the writing rather being immersed in the stories. I found myself reading them in bits with lunch, enjoying her language and most particularly her observations. The last novella "Pale Horse, Pale Rider was an entirely different experience - I ate my lunch and kept reading until I finished and that evening I read it a second time. It is a brilliant read.