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A review by sadiereadsagain
All the Rage: Stories by A.L. Kennedy
3.0
Kennedy is one of those writers that I mean to read more of. But I do have a mixed experience with her. I've loved some of her previous work (short stories and [b:Everything You Need|468595|Everything You Need|A.L. Kennedy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320467317l/468595._SY75_.jpg|456935]), but then wasn't crazy about [b:Serious Sweet|25658493|Serious Sweet|A.L. Kennedy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1469635828l/25658493._SY75_.jpg|45480472]. This short story collection kind of falls into that category.
There is a lot that I enjoyed in this collection - her signature wit is here and also her ability to completely break your heart. In particular the story of the boy and his dog, and the man clearing out his flat. These stories cut so precisely at the tangled mess of human emotions. But often I felt lost in the prose, not fully understanding what was happening or what was being hinted at. That may very well be a flaw in me as a reader, or maybe it is the fragmentary, stream-of-consciousness style of some of the stories, but whatever the cause it did stop this collection from fully grabbing me.
Regardless, her status as a writer that I need to read more from hasn't changed. I just need to keep in mind that I never know what I'm going to get.
There is a lot that I enjoyed in this collection - her signature wit is here and also her ability to completely break your heart. In particular the story of the boy and his dog, and the man clearing out his flat. These stories cut so precisely at the tangled mess of human emotions. But often I felt lost in the prose, not fully understanding what was happening or what was being hinted at. That may very well be a flaw in me as a reader, or maybe it is the fragmentary, stream-of-consciousness style of some of the stories, but whatever the cause it did stop this collection from fully grabbing me.
Regardless, her status as a writer that I need to read more from hasn't changed. I just need to keep in mind that I never know what I'm going to get.