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bgluckman 's review for:
Vampires in the Lemon Grove
by Karen Russell
For those already familiar with Russell's other works--Swamplandia! and Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves--the fact that the eight stories contained within Vampires are, well, less than complete won't come as a surprise. Many of the negative reviews on Goodreads so far seem focused on the fact that these stories aren't really all there--details that seem key are referenced then forgotten, character developments that seem critical are never fully fleshed out.
In many ways, Vampires is more guilt of this behavior than anything Russell has previously written, and some of the stories may test the patience of even die-hard fans. Reeling for the Empire is particularly guilty of this, as is Proving Up. Russell writes everything in a beautiful, enigmatic prose, but even the prettiest words can only mend together an incomplete idea so far.
Still, Vampires is worth picking up, if only for its closing story, a modern gothic horror that seems to marry Russell's writing style with the sensibility of Victor LaValle. The Graveless Doll of Eric Mutis deftly combines horror and hope in ways only Russell can, and serve as an excellent reminder of why so many critics and fans alike love her so.
In many ways, Vampires is more guilt of this behavior than anything Russell has previously written, and some of the stories may test the patience of even die-hard fans. Reeling for the Empire is particularly guilty of this, as is Proving Up. Russell writes everything in a beautiful, enigmatic prose, but even the prettiest words can only mend together an incomplete idea so far.
Still, Vampires is worth picking up, if only for its closing story, a modern gothic horror that seems to marry Russell's writing style with the sensibility of Victor LaValle. The Graveless Doll of Eric Mutis deftly combines horror and hope in ways only Russell can, and serve as an excellent reminder of why so many critics and fans alike love her so.