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A review by pastelwriter
Human Sacrifices by María Fernanda Ampuero
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a short story collection that is difficult to review. Mostly, the dilemma is that some of the stories were incredible and some of the stories fell flat.
For example, the first story in this collection, Biography, is brutal in the best way. It clearly showed the author’s ability to build tension and chill the reader to the bone. I literally had to take a break from the collection because of how impactful the story was. There’s also stories like Sacrifices with a unique storytelling style that made it addicting to read. Without any description, the author fully pulls you in with the dialogue between a married couple. It’s amazing.
But then there’s stories like Edith where there is horror but to the point where I feel like the message of the story is muddled because of the perspective used to tell it. This actually happens frequently in the collection. The author picks a point of view that feels like a waste of the true potential of the story. It’s infuriating because the seed of something interesting is there, but then it’s fumbled.
Anyway. I’m ultimately frustrated with this collection. I had to settle with a 3🌟 because of the dichotomy of great stories with disappointing stories.
For example, the first story in this collection, Biography, is brutal in the best way. It clearly showed the author’s ability to build tension and chill the reader to the bone. I literally had to take a break from the collection because of how impactful the story was. There’s also stories like Sacrifices with a unique storytelling style that made it addicting to read. Without any description, the author fully pulls you in with the dialogue between a married couple. It’s amazing.
But then there’s stories like Edith where there is horror but to the point where I feel like the message of the story is muddled because of the perspective used to tell it. This actually happens frequently in the collection. The author picks a point of view that feels like a waste of the true potential of the story. It’s infuriating because the seed of something interesting is there, but then it’s fumbled.
Anyway. I’m ultimately frustrated with this collection. I had to settle with a 3🌟 because of the dichotomy of great stories with disappointing stories.