Reviews

Because They Wanted To by Mary Gaitskill

Only show reviews with written explanations

nikatheestallion's review against another edition

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5.0

I love how colourful she is with her characters, in each short story you can almost feel their pain

millslike2read's review against another edition

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dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I love the way Gaitskill writes. To observe the texture and shape of every fleeting detail and thought as she does IRL would be absolutely unhinged. She makes me feel like I am seeing and feeling every single miasmic moment. Such an honest study of human cruelty & fragility. The reductive descriptive gaze of her narrators is truly terrifying (and amazing!).

Not as good as Bad Behavior. Loved the arrangement of the stories. Some I just would not reread, and this book would be better without.
Favorites: Because They Wanted To & The Girl on the Plane.

notfrances's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Favourite Gaitskill collection

hongjoongie's review

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense

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

4.0

Favorites: “Tiny, Smiling Daddy,” “The Blanket,” “Comfort,” and “The Girl on the Plane”

youthwithouthumor's review against another edition

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5.0

A terse collection that was both thrilling and unsettling to read for the way Gaitskill held a mirror to my face only to shatter it in my eyes.

FAVORITE STORY: “The Girl on the Plane”