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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I had a hard time getting into this collection—the first few stories didn't capture my attention—but by the end, I found it an incredibly rewarding read.
Very up and down for me. Some of the stories I absolutely loved; some did nothing for me and left me feeling like I'd missed something. Maybe I had?
This book has EVERYTHING. feminism. Witchy shit. Supernatural shit. Funny shit. All the stories connect in subtle ways, which I looooove. It's so good!!!! I can't wait to read more Oyeyemi!!!
It took me a while to get through this - I’m not the best short story reader and sometimes I feel like I struggle with short stories more than I do a full novel. But I love Oyeyemi’s writing so much even when I feel like I don’t understand it. A few of the stories in this are real knockouts. I love the final one.
Like all of her works, these stories were bizarre and unique and utterly fascinating.
I listened to this audiobook twice in a row, and I enjoyed it more the second time. The stories overlap in interesting ways with recurring leitmotifs beyond locks & keys... also some Brothers Grimm vibes. I have found myself thinking about this a lot in the weeks since reading.
As interesting as the stories were to read, they were also hard to follow. It felt like there were a bunch of details true in that never tied in. They felt unfinished
Rating: 3.5
Overall I was split over these stories. Some, I found to be messy and overworked. Others I found utterly delightful, and still others I thought were good but painfully not for me. Oyeyemi has a unique voice and I only wish I had ears more tuned towards her to fully appreciate her brilliance. As is my style, you can find brief reviews of each story below, as well as a rating used to rate the overall collection.
Books and Roses - 2/5
I enjoyed parts of this a lot but I felt that, overall, the story was messy. There were too many storylines and characters that I felt like I never got to throughly enjoy. I think this would be an interesting novella, and could be expanded on a lot, but in the short story format it didn't work for me.
"Sorry" Doesn't Sweeten Her Tea - 4/5
Towards the beginning, I didn't enjoy this because it seemed like a repeat of the messy structure. But I actually really really liked this! I think I would have liked to see more of the house because it was such a compelling structure but I didn't mind so much at the end of the story.
Is Your Blood as Red as This? - 2/5
I really enjoyed the beginning of this but it devolved for me. I feel like Oyeyemi tries to do too much for my tastes. This had a lot of magic but I wish I could have appreciated it more.
Drownings - 5/5
Absolutely phenomenal. This is a fairy tale I'd love to reread for years to come. Magical and beautiful, Oyeyemi steps back to let her simple plot speak loudly. She shines her best in this piece .
Presence - 5/5
When a short story can make you nostalgic for a life you haven't lived, there's little doubt it's a win. Really, really well done and haunting.
A Brief Introduction of the Homely Wench Society - 3/5
Good but not really my thing. It was also bit long for my taste
Dornička and the St. Martin's Day Goose - 2/5
Again, we seem to be back in a place of trying to accomplish too much too quickly.
Freddy Barrandov Checks... In? - 3/5
This was good it just wasn't my thing.
If a Book is Locked There's Probably a Good Reason for That Don't You Think? - 5/5
A stunning finale that lingers with you. Oyeyemi's at her best again.
Overall I was split over these stories. Some, I found to be messy and overworked. Others I found utterly delightful, and still others I thought were good but painfully not for me. Oyeyemi has a unique voice and I only wish I had ears more tuned towards her to fully appreciate her brilliance. As is my style, you can find brief reviews of each story below, as well as a rating used to rate the overall collection.
Books and Roses - 2/5
I enjoyed parts of this a lot but I felt that, overall, the story was messy. There were too many storylines and characters that I felt like I never got to throughly enjoy. I think this would be an interesting novella, and could be expanded on a lot, but in the short story format it didn't work for me.
"Sorry" Doesn't Sweeten Her Tea - 4/5
Towards the beginning, I didn't enjoy this because it seemed like a repeat of the messy structure. But I actually really really liked this! I think I would have liked to see more of the house because it was such a compelling structure but I didn't mind so much at the end of the story.
Is Your Blood as Red as This? - 2/5
I really enjoyed the beginning of this but it devolved for me. I feel like Oyeyemi tries to do too much for my tastes. This had a lot of magic but I wish I could have appreciated it more.
Drownings - 5/5
Absolutely phenomenal. This is a fairy tale I'd love to reread for years to come. Magical and beautiful, Oyeyemi steps back to let her simple plot speak loudly. She shines her best in this piece .
Presence - 5/5
When a short story can make you nostalgic for a life you haven't lived, there's little doubt it's a win. Really, really well done and haunting.
A Brief Introduction of the Homely Wench Society - 3/5
Good but not really my thing. It was also bit long for my taste
Dornička and the St. Martin's Day Goose - 2/5
Again, we seem to be back in a place of trying to accomplish too much too quickly.
Freddy Barrandov Checks... In? - 3/5
This was good it just wasn't my thing.
If a Book is Locked There's Probably a Good Reason for That Don't You Think? - 5/5
A stunning finale that lingers with you. Oyeyemi's at her best again.
Sometimes I loved these stories and sometimes I felt very lost but I know I haven't read anything like this and I was very glad for the chance to dip into this highly imaginative and engrossing world for a while.