Reviews - The Consequences: Stories

81 reviews for:

The Consequences: Stories

Manuel Muñoz

4.1 AVERAGE

nordstina's review

4.0

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

The short story collection was moved up my to read list when I read that it was a finalist for the Aspen Words Literary Prize, and I really enjoyed it. Manuel Muñoz's collection focuses on the Fresno area of California's Central Valley, known for it's plethora of produce, and seasonal laborers frequently crossing the border from Mexico. I appreciate the diversity of characters- we meet Mexican and American-born individuals, queer and straight, and in a variety of stages of life. As with many short story collections, some were more resonant than others. Two particular stories I enjoyed included highlighting two women (one new, one experienced) riding a bus to Southern California to pick up the men in their lives who had been rounded up by immigration and the final story of the collection about a young woman understanding her younger brother's need to get out of their small town, but he finds himself in challenging situations. I appreciated the diversity of characters highlighted with the overarching location tying them together,

litblues's review

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This is a haunting collection of short stories. The first story, Anyone Can do it, left me stunned. These stories are about love, adversity, uncertainty, and in a way, hope.