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A review by dan_tee
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
This is a interesting short story collection which tells the tales of various modern women across Argentina (and Barcelona) who are experiencing distinctly un-modern things.
As a whole I'm not sure how I feel about this collection. I enjoyed most of the stories, and the fact that the longest one, Kids Who Come Back, was one of my favourite speaks to the author (and translators) abilities.
There is a general sense of apathy, acceptance, or even simple nonchalance from the characters in this book - at least, compared to how I imagine myself and others would act when presented with horrifying supernatural presences.
It's this almost absurd tone which leads us into the book, starting with Angelita Unearthed; a story about adisgusting dead baby who follows the protagonist around, morbidly running on its too-small legs, until the flesh is rubbed away and it runs on bone.
Moments like that poke out throughout the collection. A phrase or two in every short story which sticks in the mind. For me, this is usually a particularly gross description, or a haunting final line which sets the brain whirling.
To call it a horror collection seems like a bit of a stretch. There are creepy macabre themes running through most of the stories, some leaning on old religion, many on death and brutality, with some commenting on society and how we interact with others.
However, "terror" is rarely, if ever, evoked. The book is creepy and uneasy, a tone which is echo d by our relatively apathetic narrators. Some may find that resonates with them more than others.
Women are the narrators and protagonists of these stories, and they are all varied and interesting characters who feel well realised, even in a brief time. There are several scenes of masturbation that are intentionally unpleasant, even brutal, which are evocative. Where Are You, Dear Heart is possibly the most graphic story in the collection, but to me reads like a much more straightforward "horror" story. That isn't a knock, as it was possibly my favourite in the collection.
I didn't get something from all of these stories, unlike other collections I've read (such as Ted Chiang's work). The titular title did nothing for me at all, but that's the nature of short story collections and I'm sure others will find more than I did.
However, there's enough here for me to recommend it if you want something not too scary, with a knowing dark smile that has the ability to gross you out or give you a chill.
Ranked in order of preference:
1. Where Are You, Dear Heart
2. Kids Who Come Back
3. Back When We Talked to the Dead
4. Meat
5. Angelita Unearthed
6. No Birthdays or Baptisms
7. Our Lady of the Quarry
8. The Well
9. The Cart
10. Rambla Triste
11. The Lookout
12. The Dangers of Smoking in Bed
As a whole I'm not sure how I feel about this collection. I enjoyed most of the stories, and the fact that the longest one, Kids Who Come Back, was one of my favourite speaks to the author (and translators) abilities.
There is a general sense of apathy, acceptance, or even simple nonchalance from the characters in this book - at least, compared to how I imagine myself and others would act when presented with horrifying supernatural presences.
It's this almost absurd tone which leads us into the book, starting with Angelita Unearthed; a story about a
Moments like that poke out throughout the collection. A phrase or two in every short story which sticks in the mind. For me, this is usually a particularly gross description, or a haunting final line which sets the brain whirling.
To call it a horror collection seems like a bit of a stretch. There are creepy macabre themes running through most of the stories, some leaning on old religion, many on death and brutality, with some commenting on society and how we interact with others.
However, "terror" is rarely, if ever, evoked. The book is creepy and uneasy, a tone which is echo d by our relatively apathetic narrators. Some may find that resonates with them more than others.
Women are the narrators and protagonists of these stories, and they are all varied and interesting characters who feel well realised, even in a brief time. There are several scenes of masturbation that are intentionally unpleasant, even brutal, which are evocative. Where Are You, Dear Heart is possibly the most graphic story in the collection, but to me reads like a much more straightforward "horror" story. That isn't a knock, as it was possibly my favourite in the collection.
I didn't get something from all of these stories, unlike other collections I've read (such as Ted Chiang's work). The titular title did nothing for me at all, but that's the nature of short story collections and I'm sure others will find more than I did.
However, there's enough here for me to recommend it if you want something not too scary, with a knowing dark smile that has the ability to gross you out or give you a chill.
Ranked in order of preference:
1. Where Are You, Dear Heart
2. Kids Who Come Back
3. Back When We Talked to the Dead
4. Meat
5. Angelita Unearthed
6. No Birthdays or Baptisms
7. Our Lady of the Quarry
8. The Well
9. The Cart
10. Rambla Triste
11. The Lookout
12. The Dangers of Smoking in Bed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail