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asclepeion's review
dark
3.75
some of the short stories were intensely captivating and others somewhat dull. oftentimes felt more sensationalist than transgressive, though i do fear i may never stop thinking about the game……
dolcezzina21's review
4.0
4.5 Stars. A previous reviewer took the words right out of my mouth: "This is simply a bad ass book." The stories are written very well and there were none that fell completely short. Sure, there were a few that didn't grip me as much, but they fit in with the flow of this anthology. It was put together very well by Chuck and his team. I love that Chuck helped these new authors find a place in the literary world through this anthology.
These stories shock you and slap the crap out of you. They are raw, no holds barred, in your face disturbing and thought provoking. What goes unsaid is often more powerful than what is said and that marks a well done story. F for Fake was my favorite and Ingredients a close second. This is not a book for everyone. Proceed with caution.
These stories shock you and slap the crap out of you. They are raw, no holds barred, in your face disturbing and thought provoking. What goes unsaid is often more powerful than what is said and that marks a well done story. F for Fake was my favorite and Ingredients a close second. This is not a book for everyone. Proceed with caution.
what_alice_saw's review
3.0
Chirp Audiobook
CW: Animal abuse, suicide, eating disorders, sa
Foreward by Chuck Palahniuk, the stories are supposed to be transgressive fiction. Most stories were just average, but there were a few standouts.
First, I have to admit to not understanding the story, Lemmings. I have no idea who the narrator is & why his brother has so much power. I feel stupid. Also, the last story on the audiobook ends with loud music that drowns out the last sentence & I have a feeling that sentence is very important.
The story that elicited the strongest emotion from me was, Charlie. It was so horrible and I cried so much. The story of a little boy who was so jealous of his younger sister he did something unforgivable.
My favorite story started as a joke. I was reading, thinking, “what is this pretentious bullshit?” Then, I started to really like the story & came to the conclusion that I like pretentious bullshit & that’s that. I should reread The Secret History. What can I say, I like a little romance in my horror.
The shorts ran all over the place, I wouldn’t rate any of them badly, and I don’t regret reading any of them except maybe the one about the girl who had a story to tell. Many of these made you feel a little smarter from reading them, but only a couple will stay with me for a long time.
CW: Animal abuse, suicide, eating disorders, sa
Foreward by Chuck Palahniuk, the stories are supposed to be transgressive fiction. Most stories were just average, but there were a few standouts.
First, I have to admit to not understanding the story, Lemmings. I have no idea who the narrator is & why his brother has so much power. I feel stupid. Also, the last story on the audiobook ends with loud music that drowns out the last sentence & I have a feeling that sentence is very important.
The story that elicited the strongest emotion from me was, Charlie. It was so horrible and I cried so much. The story of a little boy who was so jealous of his younger sister he did something unforgivable.
My favorite story started as a joke. I was reading, thinking, “what is this pretentious bullshit?” Then, I started to really like the story & came to the conclusion that I like pretentious bullshit & that’s that. I should reread The Secret History. What can I say, I like a little romance in my horror.
The shorts ran all over the place, I wouldn’t rate any of them badly, and I don’t regret reading any of them except maybe the one about the girl who had a story to tell. Many of these made you feel a little smarter from reading them, but only a couple will stay with me for a long time.
katepowellshine's review
2.0
A decent collection, but don't expect most of these stories to actually be transgressive. Some were, but some were merely sensationalist, and others verge on boring. Perhaps I wouldn't have found any of them boring had the copy on the back of the book been so eye-rollingly over-the-top. I should have known better. Don't get me wrong, though; I enjoyed many of these stories.
dateinprague's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
blives2dance's review against another edition
4.0
Live This Down - 4.5/5
Charlie - 4/5
Paper - 3/5
Mating - 3/5
Melody - 2/5
F for Faker - 5/5
Mind and Soldier - 3/5
Ingredients - 5/5
The line forms on the right - 5/5
A vodka kind of girl - 3/5
Gasoline - 4.5/5
Dietary - 5/5
Invisible Graffiti - 4/5
Bike - 2/5
Heavier Petting - wtf did I just read 4.5/5
Engines, O-rings and Astronauts - 4/5
Lemming - 3.5/5
The routine - 4/5
Survived - 2/5
Zombie Whorehouse - 5/5
Charlie - 4/5
Paper - 3/5
Mating - 3/5
Melody - 2/5
F for Faker - 5/5
Mind and Soldier - 3/5
Ingredients - 5/5
The line forms on the right - 5/5
A vodka kind of girl - 3/5
Gasoline - 4.5/5
Dietary - 5/5
Invisible Graffiti - 4/5
Bike - 2/5
Heavier Petting - wtf did I just read 4.5/5
Engines, O-rings and Astronauts - 4/5
Lemming - 3.5/5
The routine - 4/5
Survived - 2/5
Zombie Whorehouse - 5/5