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moreale's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
charlotte_rose485's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
elmstreetblues's review
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
beekins's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
heatherrr_p's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Low rating because I’m not sure I liked the writing style and I’m still not sure what to make of the plot
sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition
1.0
I feel like there was an underlying message in this, but I just didn’t get it. It took me an embarrassingly amount of time to finally figure out what (SG) meant.
I was also not a fan of the writing style.
I was also not a fan of the writing style.
aseasoninseason's review
0.25
I had to read this 4 years ago for a class and still hate it today. The writing style meant to emulate shorthand diary entries was frustrating to read and really didn't add anything. Obviously this is a story criticizing the middle class's aspirations of wealth leading to the exploitation of those living in poverty. The delivery is so hamfisted, with these women of color literally being status symbols, that it's infuriating.
stacey_kenny's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't find the concept of the SGs explained very well, however it seems as this short story explores an alternate reality where a family is struggling to compete with the families around them and ensure their children fit in. The trend is SGs as decorations at parties and events. I'm still letting this one sink in.
readingwhilemommying's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, wow, wow! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this story before. I read Saunders' Lincoln in the Bardo and enjoyed it, but I liked this story even better.
In the not-too-distant future a man writes down daily diaries of his family’s struggle to try and keep up with their rich friends. Their family doesn’t have much money but after he wins $10,000 on a scratch-off lottery ticket, they go a little wild planning for their daughter’s extravagent party to which they’ll invite their rich neighbors whose affluent life they envy. The one key symbol of status these affluent people possess? Lawn ornaments/decor that are literally poor immigrant girls (Semplica Girls) who are strung up & displayed. The family’s youngest daughter Eva is the “sensitive” one who is very bothered by this.
“At window, Eva quiet. Deep well. So sensitive. Even when tiny, Eva sensitive. Kindest kid. Biggest heart. Once, when little, found dead bird in yard and placed on swing-set slide, so it could 'see him fambly.' Cried when we threw out old rocking chair, claiming it told her it wanted to live out rest of life in basement. But I worry, Pam worries: if kid too sensitive, kid goes out in world, world rips kid’s guts out, i.e., some toughness req’d?"
Her father explains that the immigrant girls sign up for this life in order to make money to send home to their families. There is even a lawn service that comes and feeds them and takes them to the bathroom during the days.
I have to say, my mouth dropped open at the part of the story where it was revealed just what SGs meant. As immigration is a hot topic in today’s society, I found the “justification” for these girls to be actual lawn ornaments similar to the stories we hear today. It’s their fault that they’ve been degraded by this job. At least that’s how the family’s father justifies having them on his property. I was disturbed by just reading about this fictional practice. Saunders' commentary on both the frivoulousness of humans who use living-breathing people as decoration (and the justifications the father makes to his daughter for it) echo the immigration debates we hear today. It’s definitely a shocking way to portray this idea—the warped relationship between a well-off American family and the poor, foreign people they use for home decor.
If you've never read it, read it. It's terrific. One of my favorites of the year so far.
In the not-too-distant future a man writes down daily diaries of his family’s struggle to try and keep up with their rich friends. Their family doesn’t have much money but after he wins $10,000 on a scratch-off lottery ticket, they go a little wild planning for their daughter’s extravagent party to which they’ll invite their rich neighbors whose affluent life they envy. The one key symbol of status these affluent people possess? Lawn ornaments/decor that are literally poor immigrant girls (Semplica Girls) who are strung up & displayed. The family’s youngest daughter Eva is the “sensitive” one who is very bothered by this.
“At window, Eva quiet. Deep well. So sensitive. Even when tiny, Eva sensitive. Kindest kid. Biggest heart. Once, when little, found dead bird in yard and placed on swing-set slide, so it could 'see him fambly.' Cried when we threw out old rocking chair, claiming it told her it wanted to live out rest of life in basement. But I worry, Pam worries: if kid too sensitive, kid goes out in world, world rips kid’s guts out, i.e., some toughness req’d?"
Her father explains that the immigrant girls sign up for this life in order to make money to send home to their families. There is even a lawn service that comes and feeds them and takes them to the bathroom during the days.
I have to say, my mouth dropped open at the part of the story where it was revealed just what SGs meant. As immigration is a hot topic in today’s society, I found the “justification” for these girls to be actual lawn ornaments similar to the stories we hear today. It’s their fault that they’ve been degraded by this job. At least that’s how the family’s father justifies having them on his property. I was disturbed by just reading about this fictional practice. Saunders' commentary on both the frivoulousness of humans who use living-breathing people as decoration (and the justifications the father makes to his daughter for it) echo the immigration debates we hear today. It’s definitely a shocking way to portray this idea—the warped relationship between a well-off American family and the poor, foreign people they use for home decor.
If you've never read it, read it. It's terrific. One of my favorites of the year so far.