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A review by bookph1le
Mosaics 2: A Collection of Independent Women by P.K. Tyler, Joan Brown, Catherine Schaff-Stump, Kim Wells, Jessica West, Nina Perez, Zen DiPietro, Alison Ripley Cubitt, Rachel Steiger-Meister, Nillu Nasser, Lorraine Schein, Kimberly Fujioka, Willow Naomi Curry, Lesley Smith, Kristina Webster Shue, Tara Calaby, Emily K. Michael, Anne E. Johnson, Asha Bardon, Rage Hezekiah, Jennifer R. Donohue, Audrey T. Carroll, Lana Bella
5.0
I'm going to try to do a piece by piece review of this collection, since I feel like my review of the first anthology didn't do it justice. Go read both of them, now.
Some spoilers will follow, though I'll do my best to keep them to a minimum.
Painted Truths and Prayer Breads by Nillu Nasser Stelter
Considering the ongoing plight of Syrian refugees, this story seems particularly timely. I was incredibly moved by the way the author considered both sides, and her sensitivity in depicting the struggles of her immigrant characters. I'm often bewildered by the vehement racism I see and hear, because as this story shows, we all have the human experience in common. Fiction like this is, to me, critical for helping us understand that many of our differences are nowhere near as profound as they appear. This is beautifully, tenderly written.
Starting Over by Zen DiPietro
This was an enjoyable story with some interesting themes about wealth, poverty, and power. I really appreciated the diversity as well; this is something science fiction needs more of.
Blue Silk Dress by Alison Ripley Cubitt
A short, melancholy tale that touches on a lot of topics: depression, female autonomy, dissatisfaction in marriage. I found the setting very evocative.
Poems by Kristina Webster Shue
Poetry isn't always my thing, but I was interested in the way these poems play with issues of identity and the human need to label everyone and everything, as if such a simplistic view can possibly enable us to make sense of a complex and ever-changing world.
Embracing the Kinks: A Naturalista Manifesta by Willow Naomi Curry
I found this essay fascinating and thought-provoking. I have no trouble imaging some people scoffing and writing hair politics off as frivolous, which is why an essay like this is important. It unmasks the more insidious implications lurking behind the chatter about hair. I've noticed a trend wherein "polished" styles are celebrated in corporate culture, and I think it's no coincidence that these styles often involve stick-straight bobbed hairstyles. I've often found it strange that so many women with naturally curly hair spend so much time and money (and often go to salons for expensive treatments that have detrimental health effects) trying to achieve this ultra-straight look. This essay gave me a lot to chew on.
Adderall on the Rocks by Lana Bella
Sad, haunting, and tragic with an undercurrent of anger.
Remedios and Leonora by Lorraine Schein
Interesting themes of art and suffering.
Sunshower by Kim Wells
I'm a fan of post apocalyptic tales, so this one really appealed. It centers around the idea that history repeats itself and that women's power and autonomy are feared regardless of progress. What I like about this and similar stories, though, is that the women don't throw their power aside. It may be curtailed, but they will exercise it in secrecy if that's the only way.
Like Father by Audrey T. Carroll
Good Gothic flavor and build-up at the beginning, but the ending felt a bit abrupt.
No One's Land by Anne E. Johnson
Highly symbolic sci-fi with some very pointed barbs about patriarchy. On the surface it seems like an alien invasion story, but it's very cerebral and makes a point about women's traditional rules in the world. I thought it was very clever.
Durnushka by Nikki Richard
A quick story about a teen pushed to her limits by male violence. Her reaction is shocking, and the story's language is visceral.
Don't Shut Up! by Kimberly Fujioka
A short, powerful essay about the author's experience with sexual violence.
Fixing Her Truck by Rage Hezekiah
A short, evocative poem that I found empowering.
The Cow Tower by Tara Calaby
Lovely fairytale about unconditional love, willful blindness, and a wide princess's true worth. This one made me smile.
Forever an Other by Joan Brown
This short story had a very strong sense of setting, pulling me into the tale. I felt a lot of sympathy for Mamie.
Border Talk by Emily K. Michael
I appreciate essays like these as they help me in my journey of understanding of others' experiences. I've come to realize that perspective is more or less everything. We can never know what it's like to live in another's shoes, but if we learn to be quiet and listen to others tell us about their perspective, that's how we grow as human beings. Defensiveness is a natural reaction, and we're all guilty of it at times, but we can't make progress until we learn to put our defensiveness aside and open our ears, minds, and hearts.
One Quiet Night by Asha Bardon
I have a personal pet peeve with apocalyptic works premised on the idea that a super virus could wipe out all of humanity. That said, this is an interesting work that struck me as something of a meditation on unwitting apathy.
El Naddaha by P.K. Tyler
This story is heavy with mythological references, so it's one I'm going to have to chew over for a while.
A Mermaid Tale by Rachel Steiger-Meister
I really loved the fairytale feel of this one. It's a simple love story, as well as a story about not adhering to societal norms.
Cookies by Catherine Schaff-Stump
A really brutal story about a family with a rampant history of abuse. It's not easy to read, but it's searing and a story I'm not likely to forget soon.
The Lion and the Dragonslayer by Jennifer R. Donohue
Loved this one! I can't get enough of female warriors, and I adored how this story flipped a lot of typical fantasy tropes. I want more of the Lion!
Some spoilers will follow, though I'll do my best to keep them to a minimum.
Painted Truths and Prayer Breads by Nillu Nasser Stelter
Considering the ongoing plight of Syrian refugees, this story seems particularly timely. I was incredibly moved by the way the author considered both sides, and her sensitivity in depicting the struggles of her immigrant characters. I'm often bewildered by the vehement racism I see and hear, because as this story shows, we all have the human experience in common. Fiction like this is, to me, critical for helping us understand that many of our differences are nowhere near as profound as they appear. This is beautifully, tenderly written.
Starting Over by Zen DiPietro
This was an enjoyable story with some interesting themes about wealth, poverty, and power. I really appreciated the diversity as well; this is something science fiction needs more of.
Blue Silk Dress by Alison Ripley Cubitt
A short, melancholy tale that touches on a lot of topics: depression, female autonomy, dissatisfaction in marriage. I found the setting very evocative.
Poems by Kristina Webster Shue
Poetry isn't always my thing, but I was interested in the way these poems play with issues of identity and the human need to label everyone and everything, as if such a simplistic view can possibly enable us to make sense of a complex and ever-changing world.
Embracing the Kinks: A Naturalista Manifesta by Willow Naomi Curry
I found this essay fascinating and thought-provoking. I have no trouble imaging some people scoffing and writing hair politics off as frivolous, which is why an essay like this is important. It unmasks the more insidious implications lurking behind the chatter about hair. I've noticed a trend wherein "polished" styles are celebrated in corporate culture, and I think it's no coincidence that these styles often involve stick-straight bobbed hairstyles. I've often found it strange that so many women with naturally curly hair spend so much time and money (and often go to salons for expensive treatments that have detrimental health effects) trying to achieve this ultra-straight look. This essay gave me a lot to chew on.
Adderall on the Rocks by Lana Bella
Sad, haunting, and tragic with an undercurrent of anger.
Remedios and Leonora by Lorraine Schein
Interesting themes of art and suffering.
Sunshower by Kim Wells
I'm a fan of post apocalyptic tales, so this one really appealed. It centers around the idea that history repeats itself and that women's power and autonomy are feared regardless of progress. What I like about this and similar stories, though, is that the women don't throw their power aside. It may be curtailed, but they will exercise it in secrecy if that's the only way.
Like Father by Audrey T. Carroll
Good Gothic flavor and build-up at the beginning, but the ending felt a bit abrupt.
No One's Land by Anne E. Johnson
Highly symbolic sci-fi with some very pointed barbs about patriarchy. On the surface it seems like an alien invasion story, but it's very cerebral and makes a point about women's traditional rules in the world. I thought it was very clever.
Durnushka by Nikki Richard
A quick story about a teen pushed to her limits by male violence. Her reaction is shocking, and the story's language is visceral.
Don't Shut Up! by Kimberly Fujioka
A short, powerful essay about the author's experience with sexual violence.
Fixing Her Truck by Rage Hezekiah
A short, evocative poem that I found empowering.
The Cow Tower by Tara Calaby
Lovely fairytale about unconditional love, willful blindness, and a wide princess's true worth. This one made me smile.
Forever an Other by Joan Brown
This short story had a very strong sense of setting, pulling me into the tale. I felt a lot of sympathy for Mamie.
Border Talk by Emily K. Michael
I appreciate essays like these as they help me in my journey of understanding of others' experiences. I've come to realize that perspective is more or less everything. We can never know what it's like to live in another's shoes, but if we learn to be quiet and listen to others tell us about their perspective, that's how we grow as human beings. Defensiveness is a natural reaction, and we're all guilty of it at times, but we can't make progress until we learn to put our defensiveness aside and open our ears, minds, and hearts.
One Quiet Night by Asha Bardon
I have a personal pet peeve with apocalyptic works premised on the idea that a super virus could wipe out all of humanity. That said, this is an interesting work that struck me as something of a meditation on unwitting apathy.
El Naddaha by P.K. Tyler
This story is heavy with mythological references, so it's one I'm going to have to chew over for a while.
A Mermaid Tale by Rachel Steiger-Meister
I really loved the fairytale feel of this one. It's a simple love story, as well as a story about not adhering to societal norms.
Cookies by Catherine Schaff-Stump
A really brutal story about a family with a rampant history of abuse. It's not easy to read, but it's searing and a story I'm not likely to forget soon.
The Lion and the Dragonslayer by Jennifer R. Donohue
Loved this one! I can't get enough of female warriors, and I adored how this story flipped a lot of typical fantasy tropes. I want more of the Lion!