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kamckim's review against another edition
5.0
Can we start to say it yet? Ron Rash is going to be our next Wendell Berry. His stories span generations, but there's a map and a deliberate family connectedness that is clearly emerging from each work and story. And the reader is connected, too, by rivers and ridges, cliffs and coves, by ancient ties that bind. My world is richer because his world is in it.
lexiegrace88's review against another edition
4.0
Ron Rash always delivers. His stories are so full of humanity, sadness, and compassion.
veliciajerus's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written, but mostly dick-lit. Favorites: "The Trusty" and "A Servant of History."
diannehult16's review against another edition
4.0
Collection of short stories. All good but all a bit depressing.
eastofreaden's review
4.0
Whenever I post about Ron Rash, I usually am met with “I’ve never heard of him,” which is a CRIME. I’ve read 10 of his books now, and I wish I could properly explain what it is about his books that I love so much. I think it’s how phenomenally he writes the dark parts of human behaviours. It’s so subtle, and then you're met head-on with something truly surprising but with compassion.
His characters tend to be near the bottom end of the socio-economic spectrum. And he has such a command of his writing I am immediately absorbed into the environment. His books are in Appalachia and span as far back as the Civil War. Of all the Southern Gothic writers I've read, he's my favourite.
My favourite story from this collection is "Lincolnites," which takes place during the Civil War. The pregnant wife of a soldier, a Lincoln supporter, is alone at home in Confederate territory, and when a strange man shows up, she does what she has to protect her family. I also loved the title story, which is about a woman who marries an outsider, and when fires begin to pop up all over town due to an unknown arsonist, he is immediately suspect number one.
I only have two more books of his on my shelf to read, and I am devastated to be so close to catching up.
His characters tend to be near the bottom end of the socio-economic spectrum. And he has such a command of his writing I am immediately absorbed into the environment. His books are in Appalachia and span as far back as the Civil War. Of all the Southern Gothic writers I've read, he's my favourite.
My favourite story from this collection is "Lincolnites," which takes place during the Civil War. The pregnant wife of a soldier, a Lincoln supporter, is alone at home in Confederate territory, and when a strange man shows up, she does what she has to protect her family. I also loved the title story, which is about a woman who marries an outsider, and when fires begin to pop up all over town due to an unknown arsonist, he is immediately suspect number one.
I only have two more books of his on my shelf to read, and I am devastated to be so close to catching up.
paulataua's review against another edition
5.0
‘Something Rich and Strange’ was my first experience of reading Ron Rash, and what an experience it was. This collection of short stories from the heart of Appalachia just bowled me over. The stories are short, but the characters are well developed and everything is delivered with such feeling. It took about ten minutes to read a story and then thirty minutes to think about that story. Isn’t that what reading should be about sometimes?
karadotten1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
honeydewfelon's review against another edition
5.0
Ron Rash’s stories are gritty, sometimes funny, and always unexpected. His writing is clear and uncluttered, and these stories about Appalachia are extremely satisfying to read.
blazenaat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5