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maxgardner's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a solid collection of stories, and though there are definitely a few that particularly stand out, I enjoyed all of them. I appreciate that so many of them have an unusual element to them, oftentimes revealed subtly and with indifference—a woman who opens her body as a canvas for a tattoo artist, a former circus performer who decides to take into her family's home one of her old circus friends, a wayward older woman who works her way into distant family members' homes. But they all are grounded in reality and mundaneness and touch on universal truths, which give them a human element I felt I could connect with.
Here are some thoughts on the ones that stood out for me (will add more):
It's Bad Luck To Die
This is one of my favorites from the collection because it's humorous and also touches on a theme that I feel I can connect with pretty well—finding acceptance and love for a body that you feel uncomfortable in. Sometimes that means defining your own vision of beauty, even if it's forged from the beauty someone else recognizes in you and guides you to see.
Favorite quotes
Here are some thoughts on the ones that stood out for me (will add more):
It's Bad Luck To Die
This is one of my favorites from the collection because it's humorous and also touches on a theme that I feel I can connect with pretty well—finding acceptance and love for a body that you feel uncomfortable in. Sometimes that means defining your own vision of beauty, even if it's forged from the beauty someone else recognizes in you and guides you to see.
Favorite quotes
Like all good mothers, she always knew the worst was going to happen and was disappointed and relieved when it finally did.
All she wanted was for me to become miraculously blank.
My mother was wrong. I never felt like a freak because of my height: I felt like a ghost haunting too much space... It's like when you move into a new place, and despite the lease and despite the rent you've paid, the place doesn't feel like home and you're not sure you want to stay... Well, getting a tattoo—it's like hanging drapes, or laying carpet, or driving that first nail into the fresh plaster: it's deciding you've moved in.
...I am not a museum, not yet, I'm a love letter, a love letter.
newtons's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-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? Yes
4.0
sawyerbell's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. A solid short story collection. There were several stellar stories whose prose and wit crackled off the page, a few good stories and a few that seemed too long and didn't hold my interest.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair review.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair review.
sundaydutro's review against another edition
5.0
I am not usually a fan of short stories but I loved every single one of these from start to finish.
emilyinherhead's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-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
4.5
The first couple of stories in this collection took me a while to get through for some reason—might have just been my mindset when I sat down to read—but once I hit a groove, I really enjoyed the rest.
There was one story that reminded me a little of Katherine Dunn’s novel Geek Love, and the others all contained really imaginative and detailed characters and situations, many quite different from anything I’ve read before.
There was one story that reminded me a little of Katherine Dunn’s novel Geek Love, and the others all contained really imaginative and detailed characters and situations, many quite different from anything I’ve read before.
maddykpdx's review against another edition
5.0
McCracken's stories pack some heartbreaking punch! Quirky characters (retired circus performers, con-artists of the most unlikely type) rendered human by matter-of-fact prose and verve. Like an amazing mash-up of Flannery O'Connor and Richard Brautigan. A new favorite.
kristendom's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not usually a short story fan, but I have to admit that I really enjoyed this collection by Elizabeth McCracken. They were odd, engaging, and witty. With vibrant characters who each had a story to tell, it was truly enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend to just about anyone.
paperknotbooks's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best things I’ve consumed this year! {popping hearts} The first story is the most romantic thing I’ve read (maybe ever). It’s moving!
abookishtype's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth McCracken has lurked on the edge of my bookish awareness for a while, praised by other readers whose opinion I trust. But my aversion to short stories has always steered me away until. Now that I’ve finished Here’s Your Hat What’s Your Hurry: Stories, I’m a little miffed at my past self for not diving in earlier. These thoughtful, often funny stories all feature cuckoos, people who either don’t fit into their families or who are made to feel as though they don’t belong...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.