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kellie1851's review against another edition
1.0
I had such high hopes for this book based on the description. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it funny or interesting. The stories didn’t make sense and I struggled to trudge through them. This one just wasn’t for me.
_i_b_'s review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
ainepalmtree's review against another edition
brilliantly dry, funny, smart, sad, and wonderfully bizarre, these stories are (often hilariously) scathing vignettes of young womanhood in modern ireland- I look forward to seeing what flattery writes next
erinmariex17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bridie_books's review against another edition
4.0
My favourite story was Abortion, A Love Story. All of the stories were unusual and interesting. I’d recommend this book.
shriti_sunshine's review against another edition
4.0
3.9/5
" After our mother passed my sister had become obsessed with other planets. No, not planets. One planet. That I never know the name of, and nor could its dimensions be found on any of the star constellations charts I searched furiously."
"I got my nails done twice a week - there was a violence to it that I worshipped."
"Smiling was the only communication available to her and, overnight, it had turned ugly. Still, she continued smiling, amiably, like a tourist, like a secretary, like a combination of both - a tourist's secretary."
I can't particularly sing praises for this book, nor can I not not recommend it. The characters are always slightly off-key, their reactions never quite appropriate as per socio-cultural expectations, and the absurdity of it all seems to be in constant competition with the quirky parts. Gotta hand it to the author, she has a way of making even the most melancholic circumstances just a bit hilarious. The stories, especially 'Abortion: a love story' & 'Show them a good time' & 'Track', are unapologetic & bold in tone. Not the most relatable anthology, but definitely one that cannot be ignored.
" After our mother passed my sister had become obsessed with other planets. No, not planets. One planet. That I never know the name of, and nor could its dimensions be found on any of the star constellations charts I searched furiously."
"I got my nails done twice a week - there was a violence to it that I worshipped."
"Smiling was the only communication available to her and, overnight, it had turned ugly. Still, she continued smiling, amiably, like a tourist, like a secretary, like a combination of both - a tourist's secretary."
I can't particularly sing praises for this book, nor can I not not recommend it. The characters are always slightly off-key, their reactions never quite appropriate as per socio-cultural expectations, and the absurdity of it all seems to be in constant competition with the quirky parts. Gotta hand it to the author, she has a way of making even the most melancholic circumstances just a bit hilarious. The stories, especially 'Abortion: a love story' & 'Show them a good time' & 'Track', are unapologetic & bold in tone. Not the most relatable anthology, but definitely one that cannot be ignored.
amandamarie793's review against another edition
4.0
A bit creepy... a lot TELL ME WHAT THESE ARE REALLY ABOUT!!!
Loved it!! Still thinking WTF did I really just read about!!!
Loved it!! Still thinking WTF did I really just read about!!!
julietlynnwilliams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
michellekmartin's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed some of the stories in this collection and some didn’t grab me as much. I did, however, absolutely love Flattery’s writing. I was continuously impressed that this was her debut and I’ll eagerly away the time (if it comes) that she publishes a novel.
I liked how she mixed a feeling of otherworldliness with reality in her stories. You felt right on the edge of understanding the world these women inhabited. I underlined so many parts of this because she has a wonderful, weird, unique way of telling a story. This collection focuses mostly on women on the roles they play in society (and the way they subvert these roles) and it reminded me of stories from Helen Oyeyemi, Ramona Ausubel, and Karen Russell.
I liked how she mixed a feeling of otherworldliness with reality in her stories. You felt right on the edge of understanding the world these women inhabited. I underlined so many parts of this because she has a wonderful, weird, unique way of telling a story. This collection focuses mostly on women on the roles they play in society (and the way they subvert these roles) and it reminded me of stories from Helen Oyeyemi, Ramona Ausubel, and Karen Russell.
thebeautyunknown's review against another edition
2.0
I would like to know what the author was smoking