Reviews

Even Greater Mistakes: Stories by Charlie Jane Anders

james_reynolds's review against another edition

dark emotional

• 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? It's complicated

4.0

Charlie Jane Anders is described in the blurb as "this generation's LeGuin". Probably an unfair comparison, as she has neither the philosophical or psychological depths of LeGuin, but few writers do. Nevertheless, still a good read. As this is a set of short stories this is a bit of a mixed bag: most good but a few poor stories in there, including one I couldn't finish. One small gripe: please don't put content warnings in your introductions, this is science fiction and we expect to be challenged.

pam2375's review against another edition

3.0

This is a book of short stories by a very talented and unusual author.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Tor Books for this advanced readers copy. This book released November 16, 2021.

rosyapple's review against another edition

didn't realise it was short stories 

kleonard's review against another edition

4.0

This is a terrific collection of Anders's stories. Some readers may be a bit lost in the pieces that follow up on the author's novels, but the standalone stories are entertaining and thought-provoking. Readers get a board range of genres and approaches; there's something for just about everyone.

valjeanval's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I've been 50/50 on CJA's novels, but I really think she excels at the short story. The range demonstrated in this one collection stretches from whimsically cheerful to violent absurdist to scathing speculation and dark realities. "Captain Roger in Heaven" and "Power Couple" are probably the standouts that were new to me in this collection. I think the only one I really didn't care for was "Fairy Werewolf vs. Zombie Vampire" which just tipped my whimsy scale over the edge. The only other slightly disappointing factor was that I already owned other collections featuring these stories, but it was still a nice excuse to reread them. I think I could read "As Good as New" any number of times and still appreciate it. 

The book jacket to this edition calls her "This generation's LeGuin," but I think that's not entirely fair. Yes there's a heavy dose of social commentary and speculation, but CJA's style is distinctively her own and is deeply rooted in this generation here and now

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Confinement, Murder, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Transphobia, Violence, and Mental illness

ktn0000001's review against another edition

5.0

❤️

rmperezpadilla's review

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

jusuwa's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 - for the inventiveness and sheer fun of reading it.

masha123's review against another edition

4.0

So far:

As Good as New: 2/5
Rat-Catcher’s Yellows: 5/5
If You Take My Meaning: 4/5
The Time Travel Club: 5/5
Six Months, Three Days: 4/5
Love Might Be Too Strong a Word: 4.5/5
Fairy Werewolf Vs. Vampire Zombie: 1.5/5

Dnf

literarylover37's review against another edition

3.0

2.5