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jestotherescue's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
erboe501's review
5.0
I've been on a short story collection kick given the focus of my dissertation. While these stories are not as heavily centered in speculative fiction as my dissertation, many still contain an element of the uncanny, the inexplicable that only women can understand. I can't help but think about Gloria Anzaldúa's idea of la facultad, the special knowledge women can acquire in their liminal social positions.
The characters in these stories are unlikable, honest. They are all rather blunt in their speech. Some women are aware of their imperfections, others not, although they usually unwittingly sharing that information with the reader. Somehow, they're endearing. I especially enjoyed "Sticker Shock," which uses real estate to explore a difficult relationship between mother and daughter. Real estate seems to be something of a common theme across stories. As is mother-daughter relationships and feelings of isolation.
These were fun to read. While not light-hearted, they manage to tackle concerns of contemporary society with irreverent solemnity. Oxymoronic, I know.
The characters in these stories are unlikable, honest. They are all rather blunt in their speech. Some women are aware of their imperfections, others not, although they usually unwittingly sharing that information with the reader. Somehow, they're endearing. I especially enjoyed "Sticker Shock," which uses real estate to explore a difficult relationship between mother and daughter. Real estate seems to be something of a common theme across stories. As is mother-daughter relationships and feelings of isolation.
These were fun to read. While not light-hearted, they manage to tackle concerns of contemporary society with irreverent solemnity. Oxymoronic, I know.
saturday_reads's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
poachedeggs's review
3.0
This was like a Margaret Atwood gone a bit kooky. Lots of non-sequiturs and strange behaviour, some of which worked and some of which didn't.
jadereads_'s review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
margaret_adams's review
Ten original, often hilarious stories that are so full of emotional deflection it's like the literary equivalent of negative space.
readingrainboww's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0