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foofers1622's review against another edition
5.0
Such a brilliant idea! Have some of today's best writers, write short stories based on Edward Hopper's art. I could have easily read this book straight through. This really needs to be a series with other artists work.
tomcarrico's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
4.25
Consistently well written and entertaining stories inspired by Edward Hopper paintings.
jdrummond's review against another edition
4.0
The level of cold-blooded, casual creepiness is high in this quick piece. Could be paired with The Devil and The White
City.
City.
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Paintings not only distill narrative, they invite them. Who of us has not spent time gazing at a work of art, inventing what is happening, what has happened, and what will happen next? Selecting an artist with a varied oeuvre and a distinct point of view to be the connecting thread for an anthology of short works is inspired. Choosing Edward Hopper? Brilliant.
Story collections are tricky things, and I appreciate the truth that both style and substance of each work will not appeal equally to all readers. My favorites may be your least and vice versa. I've come to expect that. Given Hopper's tones and subjects, it's natural that many of the invented stories would lean into the noir. Again, not something about which I would complain. My slight disappointment -- and let me be clear, I did enjoy/appreciate the book and do recommend it -- is that there isn't enough distinction. Many of the stories are similar enough in one aspect or another as to blur the lines between them, which also has the unfortunate effect of making them not only less distinguishable but also near unmemorable. Even now, a mere day after finishing, I would have difficulty articulating impressions of more than a few of the stories.
audiobook note: A solid cast of narrators, though as with the collection of authors, some performances will be stronger than others. Glad to see George Newbern included and also that he was tasked with two of the selections. His talent of communicating the Everyman but with hidden facets worked especially well in this form.
The big obstacle in experiencing this in audio, narrator appeals aside, is that the reader doesn't have the enhancement of viewing the image that inspired each story. This could be seen as an opportunity, as the listener is then free to draw either on memory or imagination; however, especially for this particular premise, it may be better as a revisit rather than a first exposure.
Story collections are tricky things, and I appreciate the truth that both style and substance of each work will not appeal equally to all readers. My favorites may be your least and vice versa. I've come to expect that. Given Hopper's tones and subjects, it's natural that many of the invented stories would lean into the noir. Again, not something about which I would complain. My slight disappointment -- and let me be clear, I did enjoy/appreciate the book and do recommend it -- is that there isn't enough distinction. Many of the stories are similar enough in one aspect or another as to blur the lines between them, which also has the unfortunate effect of making them not only less distinguishable but also near unmemorable. Even now, a mere day after finishing, I would have difficulty articulating impressions of more than a few of the stories.
audiobook note: A solid cast of narrators, though as with the collection of authors, some performances will be stronger than others. Glad to see George Newbern included and also that he was tasked with two of the selections. His talent of communicating the Everyman but with hidden facets worked especially well in this form.
The big obstacle in experiencing this in audio, narrator appeals aside, is that the reader doesn't have the enhancement of viewing the image that inspired each story. This could be seen as an opportunity, as the listener is then free to draw either on memory or imagination; however, especially for this particular premise, it may be better as a revisit rather than a first exposure.
athenany's review against another edition
3.0
It is tough to rate anthologies. There were some 5 star stories and some 1/2 star stories and some in between so as a collection I give it a 3. I do recommend it, especially for Hopper fans!
menfrommarrs's review against another edition
4.0
I recommend this link as a companion piece, in which the authors talk about their interpretation of the art piece.
https://www.shelf-awareness.com/max-issue.html?issue=225#m480
https://www.shelf-awareness.com/max-issue.html?issue=225#m480
attytheresa's review
3.0
Clever premise.
Generally good stories. Only one I really disliked. Loved the ones by Jill Block and Michael Connelly. I do recommend. Fit into 2018 ATY #19. book by a Grand Master Author of the Edgar Awards (Laurence Block among others).
Generally good stories. Only one I really disliked. Loved the ones by Jill Block and Michael Connelly. I do recommend. Fit into 2018 ATY #19. book by a Grand Master Author of the Edgar Awards (Laurence Block among others).
aniastef86's review against another edition
3.0
Bellissima idea quella di scrivere dei racconti facendosi trasportare dalle suggestioni di alcune opere di Hopper. Peccato che alcuni racconti non siano granché. E quelli che meritano davvero non mi permettono di alzare la mia valutazione a 4 stelle.