Reviews - The History of Sound: Stories

577 reviews for:

The History of Sound: Stories

Ben Shattuck

4.39 AVERAGE

maryandthetook's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Loved this collection of stories. So many of them really made me think about so many things. Wonderful, introspective writer. Appreciated the different timeframes and historical perspectives. My favorites were The History of Sound/Origin Stories, and Radiolab/The Auk.

dmccallum_'s review against another edition

4.25

emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

kmaxey08's review against another edition

3.0

slow-paced

eternalsamnation's review against another edition

4.25

emotional mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The History of Sound connects its characters across time in New England as they are transformed by a pivotal moment in their lives. The eponymous short story is absolutely fantastic and 10/10 on its own, but the remainder weave the natural and isolated worlds of the rural northeast, and the changes this isolation can bring, in an impressively seamless manner. Regardless of the time or place, Ben Shattuck does a great job of setting the scene of the shorty story and characterizing its protagonists efficiently and effectively.

keenmf's review against another edition

5.0

“Tundra Swan” is one of the most poignant and heart wrenching stories I’ve read this year. A deeply personal insight into the depth and heartache of opioid addiction and the lengths we go for the ones we love.