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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
What the what the? Seriously, this collection of short stories somehow managed to confuse me, intrigue me, and leave me wanting more all at the same time. It is simply a confection of the weird and strange. Yet, at the same time, it is also a beautiful glance into the lives of a large group of diverse individuals. I absolutely loved how each story was its own piece and yet also connected to all the other stories.
I'll admit that I favored some stories more than others. Some left me just wondering what the heck I had just read. But others left the impression of greatness, primarily because of the extent of human nature shown within the pages. Many characters were relatable, others so fictional that they neared to be improbable. I would suggest making this a slow read, may to absorb all that it has to offer, or reading more than once. I know I will be doing the latter.
I'll admit that I favored some stories more than others. Some left me just wondering what the heck I had just read. But others left the impression of greatness, primarily because of the extent of human nature shown within the pages. Many characters were relatable, others so fictional that they neared to be improbable. I would suggest making this a slow read, may to absorb all that it has to offer, or reading more than once. I know I will be doing the latter.
Stories stacked inside each other and wormed around each other and beamed in from a parallel dimension. Keys, locks... secrets!!!
magic-realism so fascinatingly concerned with the oppressed not often depicted in literature, echoes some of the genre's greats with an emphasis on gender and sexuality.
A collection of short stories, loosely connected by themes and motifs. The prose is beautiful, but also extremely difficult to follow in some places. The characters are interesting and diverse, but honestly get a bit lost in the plot.
Perhaps it's just not for me. I may still be willing to give Oyeyemi another shot after this, but they won't be on the top of my list.
Perhaps it's just not for me. I may still be willing to give Oyeyemi another shot after this, but they won't be on the top of my list.
Helen Oyeyemi grabbed me from the first couple of paragraphs and did not let go. Her prose is a joy to read and I was always interested to see where her stories would go. Unlike the last set of short stories I read, while these weren't as off the wall bonkers, Oyeyemi more than made up for it with her command of words. I will admit that some of the stories didn't capture my attention very well but ohhhh boy the ones that did! Each story revolves around a particular type of key and what it unlocks. I really enjoyed "books and roses" for its dreamy setting and romantic nature. Although my favorite story also happened to be the longest one in the book: "is your blood as red as this?". Revolving around a shy girl who enrolls in a puppetry school, it's magical and takes an interesting turn in the second part.
Perfect for those who like books about relationships/books with gorgeous prose.
Perfect for those who like books about relationships/books with gorgeous prose.
I don't want to give this a rating because it wouldn't be fair. I didn't like it much but I think that's more a case of it not being a good fit than it being 'bad'. I've noticed this thing that I don't know what to call happening with some of my favorite authors - Kelly Link also did this a lot in her most recent book. Its like the writing is sort of twee with a deliberately outsider weirdness. I think its a YA thing. The characters are all named something outrageous, and their lives and characters are all so exhaustingly original-seeming and diverse...its just distracting. To me the effect of all this magical realism is more annoying than magical. I really liked Oyeyemi's Mr. Fox, and some of the stories in this collection were worthwhile but I ended up abandoning several of them and ultimately the book because it exceeded my eye-rolling limit.
magical, memorable, perplexing, and brilliant. I want to reread it right now.
I enjoyed the stories, but it was definitely a vibes-over-substance kind of book.
I’m too dumb for these stories I think.
It's... a bit of a misnomer to call this a collection of short stories, because they're not quite individual. The characters, themes, and plots of these tales weave between each other, crossing paths and trading names to harmonize their effects. Keys and openings, relationships and puppets, deaths and loves: such are the material in trade for Oyeyemi. And if, at times, the fugues become so delicate as to disappear, like a matryoshka doll collection where the dolls become so small, so careful that they vanish from sight, you can trust that their influence remains palpable.
I wouldn't say that Oyeymi writes for everyone. The title warns directly otherwise, of course, and the stories all identify the boundaries and passages by which we access the forbidden and are punished for it. But I would say that she writes, she writes! And there's much there that can be found, even and especially if you feel like she's not writing for you.
I wouldn't say that Oyeymi writes for everyone. The title warns directly otherwise, of course, and the stories all identify the boundaries and passages by which we access the forbidden and are punished for it. But I would say that she writes, she writes! And there's much there that can be found, even and especially if you feel like she's not writing for you.