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thebobsphere's review
3.0
Having loved Lucie McKnight Hardy’s debut novel, Water Shall Refuse Them , I was excited to find out that she’s back with a short story collection. I expected creepy people , weird rites, mild horror and a few twists.
That happened, for the most part.
The near 70 page title story opens the collection and is a masterpiece. A Shirley Jacksonesque tale about a house which shelters pregnant women who are shunned by society. All is told through the eyes of a teenager Iris. Things take a sinister turn to a memorable conclusion.
Elsewhere the stories do vary until there is a clutch of them in the middle of the collection. The Puckering is a brilliant piece about an aquarium worker, the Pickling Jar is quite eerie, Resting Bitch Face is the sort of tale one tells at Halloween and Cavities is about the horror of memory.
One the whole I enjoyed Dead Relatives, the writing is enough to keep the reader spooked and even in the weaker pieces there’s something to captivate. I will be honest and I think that Lucie McKnight Hardy’s particular brand of horror is better in the novel format, hence why the title story works so well – good development and an excellent payoff, which is lacking in the shorter stories. On a more positive note I am SUPER EXCITED about novel number two (please let that be soon!)
That happened, for the most part.
The near 70 page title story opens the collection and is a masterpiece. A Shirley Jacksonesque tale about a house which shelters pregnant women who are shunned by society. All is told through the eyes of a teenager Iris. Things take a sinister turn to a memorable conclusion.
Elsewhere the stories do vary until there is a clutch of them in the middle of the collection. The Puckering is a brilliant piece about an aquarium worker, the Pickling Jar is quite eerie, Resting Bitch Face is the sort of tale one tells at Halloween and Cavities is about the horror of memory.
One the whole I enjoyed Dead Relatives, the writing is enough to keep the reader spooked and even in the weaker pieces there’s something to captivate. I will be honest and I think that Lucie McKnight Hardy’s particular brand of horror is better in the novel format, hence why the title story works so well – good development and an excellent payoff, which is lacking in the shorter stories. On a more positive note I am SUPER EXCITED about novel number two (please let that be soon!)
reliures's review
4.5
A collection of short stories that ranges from weird to horror to gothic to speculative fiction.
I really loved this collection. The author has a sharp and evocative writing that instantly captures the dark and strange atmosphere present in her stories.
The titular story is the longest of the book and really sets the tone. It’s very gothic and eerie, reminiscent of authors like Shirley Jackson.
Other stories also dealt with dark, disturbing, sometimes supernatural themes in a shorter form, each time the author did a great job at constructing an interesting narrative with a distinct mood and voice.
Her protagonists are all compelling in their way, including several unhinged female characters.
My favourite stories were : Dead Relatives, Jutland, The Pickling Jar, Resting Bitch Face, The Puckering, The Devil of Timanfaya, The birds of Nagasaki
abbeyholland's review against another edition
3.5
A good little set of weird/unsettling/spooky short stories. Some were better than others as expected in a short story collection. I loved the first story (and the name sake of the book) “dead relatives” as well as cavities, wretched and the Devil of Timanfaya.
perjacxis's review
3.0
It always felt as if something was missing in these stories to make them memorable and stand out, so my actual rating is a bit closer to 2.5 stars.
ellyj's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
dllman05's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0