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sam_bizar_wilcox's review against another edition
5.0
Paley's short stories--and these stories are short--are so wonderfully breezy and smart. There's a serious depth to her writing that permeates the collection. Certainly, there are stories that seem lighter -- "Gloomy Tune" stands out--but the overall project is mischievously sophisticated. It's the title intimation: enormous changes that last a minute. These stories are structured around clipped but shattering events, yet told with a cleansing breath of levity. I'm reminded of Cynthia Ozick for the way Paley authentically digs into her Jewish heritage, something that has always felt homey for me (Paley, Ozick, and I share an Ashkenazic background); I'm reminded, too, of Joy Williams, for the crisp lines by which Paley builds her featurettes. Like Williams, these stories feel quite post-modern, but unlike Williams, she doesn't seem to get enough credit for her writing (there's this NYB article from 2017: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2017/10/12/grace-paley-postmodern-mom/ but it's paywalled). A shame that is: I wish I'd discovered Paley sooner.
liat_'s review
3.5
after the success of giovanni’s room i thought i’d try another classic that’s been languishing on my bookshelf. definitely not what i expected! often it was immersive and even hard to follow in a good way, i just let the lyricism wash over me. other times it was just hard to follow. also one story is cuckoo crazy racist like woahh
sarojaede's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ericfheiman's review against another edition
5.0
One of those inimitable voices of 20th century literature that begs to be reread in what will surely be a vain attempt to deconstruct the magical alchemy that are these short stories. A breath of fresh air and highly recommended.
ivalimaki's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cdmcc's review against another edition
4.0
So strange, so odd. This reminded me of something like Mad Men mixed with a Salvador Dali painting.
janaaier's review against another edition
3.0
I found this interesting, insightful, with many sharp sentences. I understand its appeal and it is surprising how much resonance it still has.
jakestillwell's review against another edition
5.0
Paley can pack a wallop in a few pages, and she can make you laugh out loud, sit up straight, startle to attention, with a single sentence. This collection of stories about love, discontent, sex and gritty city life is solid, precise, offbeat, and insightful, from end to end.
pencils's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, and Sexual violence
Minor: Miscarriage