Reviews

This was a really fun collection of short stories. I enjoyed Maggie’s other work The Great Circle and loved the depth and perspective she brought to her short stories. They always captured my attention and left me wanting more even on the stories I didn’t love (looking at you You Have a Friend in 10A)

janeaustentatious2's review

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

mbkarapcik's review

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3.0

You may know Maggie Shipstead from her latest book, Great Circle, or her previous novels, Seating Arrangements, or Astonish Me. Now she shares her short stories in You Have a Friend in 10A. I've read all her books and enjoyed their literary style and great characterizations, so I was interested to see what types of short stories she wrote. Her stories span genres including science-fiction, thriller, and character-heavy tales, so you get a wide variety of writing.

While I enjoyed some stories, others felt raw and unfinished. Some stories may appear familiar to readers who have read her other books. Occasionally, I was bored with the material and wondered how long the story would go on. If you're a big fan or enjoyed her other books, it's worth a look.

"The Cowboy Tango" involves a young woman who works on a ranch where the ranch owner has fallen into unrequited love with her. I feel sure that I read that one before. It reminded me of her latest book.

"Angel Lust" and the title story both reflect on Hollywood and the ways that some people get corrupted and redeemed. "Angel Lust" was different in that a longtime, somewhat famous actor cleans his father's rural home and finds some surprising items. The other story sounded like one of the main characters in Great Circle.

"La Moretta" focuses on a couple on their honeymoon with unusual results. That was a surprise. I wish I could say more, but I would be giving away the entire plot.

Some other stories I cannot even recall, so I wasn't that impressed.

However, this collection shows the evolution of Maggie Shipstead as a writer. As a writer myself, I found that the most telling. She even states in the acknowledgements how some may still be in the development stages although not in so many words. It was brave for her to publish these because they are in much rawer forms. While some could be expanded into long-form books, others could be swept under the rug.

Thank you, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! It was a pleasure!