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the_old_gray_cat's review against another edition
3.0
I don't usually pick up short story collections, as I much prefer my fiction to come in longer packages, but I made an exception for "13 Views of the Suicide Woods" after hearing about it in the New York Times. I found many of the stories greatly engaging, some very disturbing, and I was glad I veered off my normal reading path. I will look for more work from MacLeod.
MacLeod could really use a better editor, though: there were a few mistakes that distracted from the quality of his prose, such as calling a dog a "Burmese mountain dog", rather than the correct "Bernese mountain dog."
MacLeod could really use a better editor, though: there were a few mistakes that distracted from the quality of his prose, such as calling a dog a "Burmese mountain dog", rather than the correct "Bernese mountain dog."
kon713's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
the_old_gray_cat's review
3.0
I don't usually pick up short story collections, as I much prefer my fiction to come in longer packages, but I made an exception for "13 Views of the Suicide Woods" after hearing about it in the New York Times. I found many of the stories greatly engaging, some very disturbing, and I was glad I veered off my normal reading path. I will look for more work from MacLeod.
MacLeod could really use a better editor, though: there were a few mistakes that distracted from the quality of his prose, such as calling a dog a "Burmese mountain dog", rather than the correct "Bernese mountain dog."
MacLeod could really use a better editor, though: there were a few mistakes that distracted from the quality of his prose, such as calling a dog a "Burmese mountain dog", rather than the correct "Bernese mountain dog."
motherhorror's review
5.0
This is my first go around with author Bracken MacLeod but it certainly will not be my last. I have his latest novel, Come to Dust on my nightstand and I will definitely be buying his Stoker award nominated book, Stranded.
13 Views is an anthology of short stories, most of which had been published before but three or four of them were brand new for the collection.
I've said it before but I'll mention it again now, I'm a short story addict. I can sit and clear an anthology in one sitting just because I love hopping from one feeling to the next and this book is the PERFECT book for that. All of these tales evoke different emotions-I was terrified, disgusted, haunted and even saddened to the point of tears on a few of these.
Most notably was the story, This Last Little Piece of Darkness. This story was written in a letter format, first person narrative and in just a few short pages, Bracken had gut punched me and left me feeling pretty somber. (I'm not crying, YOU are!)
Some of my stand out favorites in this collection are:
Something I Said, about a man looking for a fight in a bar. The narrative voice really grabbed me. It was punchy and raw.
Ciudad de los Ninos was another favorite-a man risks his life looking for his little girl in a creepy village of orphans protected by their "mother". I love that Bracken doesn't pull any punches--if he wants to end a story by slapping you across the face, then dammit, he's going to do it and don't snivel about it afterwards.
The Boy Who Dreamt He Was a Bat had this sense of foreboding where you're asking yourself, do I want to get invested in this character? Braken is trying to make me feel something but he's going to pull the rug out I know it!
Blood Makes the Grass Grow, Some Other Time, Mine Not Yours and In the Bones were all favorites-especially the endings.
Lastly, a fun tale was The Texas Chainsaw Breakfast Club or I Hate Mondays. This was a clever mash up of some favorite tropes pulled from classics that we all know and love but with MacLeod's unique way of story weaving. Truly, the man can spin a good yarn and in very little time. His characters are all very fleshed out, detailed descriptions and good use of setting immerse the reader into the story right away. Dialogue is a clear wheelhouse of his as well. I'm *really* looking forward to reading more of his books!
13 Views is an anthology of short stories, most of which had been published before but three or four of them were brand new for the collection.
I've said it before but I'll mention it again now, I'm a short story addict. I can sit and clear an anthology in one sitting just because I love hopping from one feeling to the next and this book is the PERFECT book for that. All of these tales evoke different emotions-I was terrified, disgusted, haunted and even saddened to the point of tears on a few of these.
Most notably was the story, This Last Little Piece of Darkness. This story was written in a letter format, first person narrative and in just a few short pages, Bracken had gut punched me and left me feeling pretty somber. (I'm not crying, YOU are!)
Some of my stand out favorites in this collection are:
Something I Said, about a man looking for a fight in a bar. The narrative voice really grabbed me. It was punchy and raw.
Ciudad de los Ninos was another favorite-a man risks his life looking for his little girl in a creepy village of orphans protected by their "mother". I love that Bracken doesn't pull any punches--if he wants to end a story by slapping you across the face, then dammit, he's going to do it and don't snivel about it afterwards.
The Boy Who Dreamt He Was a Bat had this sense of foreboding where you're asking yourself, do I want to get invested in this character? Braken is trying to make me feel something but he's going to pull the rug out I know it!
Blood Makes the Grass Grow, Some Other Time, Mine Not Yours and In the Bones were all favorites-especially the endings.
Lastly, a fun tale was The Texas Chainsaw Breakfast Club or I Hate Mondays. This was a clever mash up of some favorite tropes pulled from classics that we all know and love but with MacLeod's unique way of story weaving. Truly, the man can spin a good yarn and in very little time. His characters are all very fleshed out, detailed descriptions and good use of setting immerse the reader into the story right away. Dialogue is a clear wheelhouse of his as well. I'm *really* looking forward to reading more of his books!
0hfortheloveofbooks's review
4.0
Every once in a while I read something that hits me, hard. Most recently it was 13 Views of the Suicide Woods by Bracken MacLeod. This was my first time reading anything by MacLeod (although I own Come to Dust) and while I was expecting horror stories, I was not expecting to feel so emotional! Most of these stories force you to face your own morality. Also, many focused on the relationships (or lack thereof) between a child and a parent which was hard for me to read without making it personal.
The first story in this collection, Still Day: An Ending, on the surface might seem dull as not much of anything actually happens, but it was an anxiety inducing yet beautifully written tale that perfectly set the stage for all the subsequent stories. This story, All Dreams Die in the Morning, and the title story 13 Views of the Suicide Woods really coerce the reader into examining their own life and inescapable death. Admittedly, that is a point of anxiety for me and I would have liked to look away but MacLeod draws you in with such poignant language it's impossible not to finish.
The Boy Who Dreamt He Was a Bat, Mine, Not Yours, This Last Little Piece of Darkness, and Khatam really crawled under my skin and gnawed away at me. They were completely different stories yet each packed such an emotional punch and tears were shed. I don't want to say that a parent will feel more than others from these stories but a parent will definitely feel something (heartache, overwhelming sadness, an urge to go hug their children etc). MacLeod just breaking my heart yet I'll let him every time!
13 Views of the Suicide Woods as a whole was heavy and bleak yet dignified and well written. MacLeod hooks you from the onset and doesn't let up until the very last page. I have a feeling I'll be packing my bookshelves with everything he's written and everything he will write in the future.
Thank you ChiZine Publications for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The first story in this collection, Still Day: An Ending, on the surface might seem dull as not much of anything actually happens, but it was an anxiety inducing yet beautifully written tale that perfectly set the stage for all the subsequent stories. This story, All Dreams Die in the Morning, and the title story 13 Views of the Suicide Woods really coerce the reader into examining their own life and inescapable death. Admittedly, that is a point of anxiety for me and I would have liked to look away but MacLeod draws you in with such poignant language it's impossible not to finish.
The Boy Who Dreamt He Was a Bat, Mine, Not Yours, This Last Little Piece of Darkness, and Khatam really crawled under my skin and gnawed away at me. They were completely different stories yet each packed such an emotional punch and tears were shed. I don't want to say that a parent will feel more than others from these stories but a parent will definitely feel something (heartache, overwhelming sadness, an urge to go hug their children etc). MacLeod just breaking my heart yet I'll let him every time!
13 Views of the Suicide Woods as a whole was heavy and bleak yet dignified and well written. MacLeod hooks you from the onset and doesn't let up until the very last page. I have a feeling I'll be packing my bookshelves with everything he's written and everything he will write in the future.
Thank you ChiZine Publications for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
fussbudget's review
3.0
I don't usually pick up short story collections, as I much prefer my fiction to come in longer packages, but I made an exception for "13 Views of the Suicide Woods" after hearing about it in the New York Times. I found many of the stories greatly engaging, some very disturbing, and I was glad I veered off my normal reading path. I will look for more work from MacLeod.
MacLeod could really use a better editor, though: there were a few mistakes that distracted from the quality of his prose, such as calling a dog a "Burmese mountain dog", rather than the correct "Bernese mountain dog."
MacLeod could really use a better editor, though: there were a few mistakes that distracted from the quality of his prose, such as calling a dog a "Burmese mountain dog", rather than the correct "Bernese mountain dog."
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