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navgarcha's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kimg1208's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It has been an honor to have read and graced the pages of the late J. California Cooper writing you have several short stories, and I have enjoyed all of them. All the tales have a balance to them. Her storytelling in this book is just pleasantly sweet, with a common-sense lesson. I an so glad I have more to her books to enjoy. Very well done.
its_thebooksforme's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
edwarde3ddd's review against another edition
5.0
In college, I read almost everything J. California Cooper wrote. Her novel, Family, remains one of my top 10 favorite books ever. It had been a number of years since I've read anything by her...no reason...just life. This book reminds me of why I first fell in love with her writing. It is good old storytelling of heartbreak and loss and happiness all mixed up together.
margaretpinard's review against another edition
4.0
Got this book last year and slid right through it like warm apple pie. This author is no longer with us, but has been described as having a writing style like Alice Walker. I found the narrator voices in this collection to be down-home, sly, rich with warmth, and suffused with tolerance and good humor. Will be reading another of hers to see her range!
tawallah's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first book by J. California Cooper. I hrist heard about her from browngirlreading and decided to try this short story collection as an introduction to her writing. Plus I liked the cover with the van Gogh painting.
This was a different experience for me. These short stories were more like a older woman relaying key stories about small town women to a younger female. They are all realistic and some got me thinking which was her goal. So it seems J. California Cooper seems more interested in making you thnk. And I can understand the ratings. There are many unlikeable characters who make crazy decisions. And it takes a while to get into the writing style. But she delas with great themes. This will not be everyone cup of tea, but for those who are not looking for escapism but a small doses of reality- try this story collection.
This was a different experience for me. These short stories were more like a older woman relaying key stories about small town women to a younger female. They are all realistic and some got me thinking which was her goal. So it seems J. California Cooper seems more interested in making you thnk. And I can understand the ratings. There are many unlikeable characters who make crazy decisions. And it takes a while to get into the writing style. But she delas with great themes. This will not be everyone cup of tea, but for those who are not looking for escapism but a small doses of reality- try this story collection.
bigbooklife's review against another edition
2.0
It took me a while to read this book. I took a break and read about 9 books in between. It's a collection of short stories each with a life/moral lesson. However, most of the stories were boring. There were a couple of interesting ones, but overall I drudged through reading it. Cooper's writing style was interesting, but I'm not in a rush to pick up another J. California Cooper book.
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