Scan barcode
A review by belle_fiction
The Color Master by Aimee Bender
4.0
Hmmmm...this collection of short stories by Aimee Bender was harder for me to get into. It took me longer to read for a start and that's because I read a few which were amazing (Appleless and The Red Ribbon which is one of my favourite short stories - honestly, Bender has a ridiculously imaginative and tender way with words. She causes your heart to ache as she presents you with broken lives and failing marriages) which were then followed by a few I didn't much care for (Faces, Lemonade and Origin Lessons).
I actually found that some of her longer short stories such as Faces and Bad Return, despite being well written, didn't really do an awful lot for me. I read them, I (mostly) enjoyed them but they didn't leave me feeling anything particularly strong, and that is a great shame.
Having read her other story collections (Willful Creatures and The Girl in the Flammable Skirt), I have to pronounce The Color Master as the weakest one. The stories in this collection still contain the beautiful language and scintillating descriptions Bender is known for, however, I would have to say that a good third of the stories collected here left me feeling indifferent.
My favourite stories from The Color Master are as follows:
The Red Ribbon - a story about a woman who convinces her husband to pay her for sex. I actually understand the need behind this since it's about a woman who needs to find herself, her identity, to feel like she has earned something, to feel worthwhile. A very powerful and moving story which ends perfectly.
Tiger Mending - a very subtle yet powerful story about two sisters who are taken to Asia, where one of the sisters' job is to mend tigers. A deep and affecting story which will stay with you for a little while afterwards.
On a Saturday Afternoon - a story about a woman watching her two male friends become intimate under her command. Bender's elegant prose really makes this piece shine. After reading this, you will be glowing.
The Doctor and the Rabbi - this was a beautifully written and wonderfully executed story where the power of dialogue is propelled to new heights. As with most of Bender's work, she is able to move her readers by what her character's fail to say. A singular story.
The Color Master - the title story and I can see why. Possibly my second favourite short story from the collection (after The Red Ribbon). Full of magical realism, pure escapism and reads like a fairy tale. Bender's nuance for detail, in capturing the fragility of humans is present in its finest form here, and reminds us how special certain individuals are. Magical.
Americca - this was a slightly strange story, and I'm not fully sure whether I understood it completely but that doesn't hide the fact that I can appreciate Bender's unique writing and singular storytelling. A story that I shall definitely re-read again - it's like a fishing hook which keeps on reeling you in and the last line is heart-breaking.
The Devourings - a story about a female human and a male ogre who are married. Again, an incredibly strange story which reads like a fairy tale/fable. One of the most vivid stories in the collection because of what happens in it and the cake in it could have a story of it's own. A unique and unusual read.
Overall, The Color Master is a great read with some poetic descriptions and beautifully written dialogue. If you're new to Bender's work however, I suggest you read Willful Creatures first because that collection will honestly blow you away like a dandelion seed in the wind. Magical realism in its purest and most seductive form.
I actually found that some of her longer short stories such as Faces and Bad Return, despite being well written, didn't really do an awful lot for me. I read them, I (mostly) enjoyed them but they didn't leave me feeling anything particularly strong, and that is a great shame.
Having read her other story collections (Willful Creatures and The Girl in the Flammable Skirt), I have to pronounce The Color Master as the weakest one. The stories in this collection still contain the beautiful language and scintillating descriptions Bender is known for, however, I would have to say that a good third of the stories collected here left me feeling indifferent.
My favourite stories from The Color Master are as follows:
The Red Ribbon - a story about a woman who convinces her husband to pay her for sex. I actually understand the need behind this since it's about a woman who needs to find herself, her identity, to feel like she has earned something, to feel worthwhile. A very powerful and moving story which ends perfectly.
Tiger Mending - a very subtle yet powerful story about two sisters who are taken to Asia, where one of the sisters' job is to mend tigers. A deep and affecting story which will stay with you for a little while afterwards.
On a Saturday Afternoon - a story about a woman watching her two male friends become intimate under her command. Bender's elegant prose really makes this piece shine. After reading this, you will be glowing.
The Doctor and the Rabbi - this was a beautifully written and wonderfully executed story where the power of dialogue is propelled to new heights. As with most of Bender's work, she is able to move her readers by what her character's fail to say. A singular story.
The Color Master - the title story and I can see why. Possibly my second favourite short story from the collection (after The Red Ribbon). Full of magical realism, pure escapism and reads like a fairy tale. Bender's nuance for detail, in capturing the fragility of humans is present in its finest form here, and reminds us how special certain individuals are. Magical.
Americca - this was a slightly strange story, and I'm not fully sure whether I understood it completely but that doesn't hide the fact that I can appreciate Bender's unique writing and singular storytelling. A story that I shall definitely re-read again - it's like a fishing hook which keeps on reeling you in and the last line is heart-breaking.
The Devourings - a story about a female human and a male ogre who are married. Again, an incredibly strange story which reads like a fairy tale/fable. One of the most vivid stories in the collection because of what happens in it and the cake in it could have a story of it's own. A unique and unusual read.
Overall, The Color Master is a great read with some poetic descriptions and beautifully written dialogue. If you're new to Bender's work however, I suggest you read Willful Creatures first because that collection will honestly blow you away like a dandelion seed in the wind. Magical realism in its purest and most seductive form.