Scan barcode
A review by stuckinafictionaluniverse
How to Pronounce Knife: Stories by Souvankham Thammavongsa, Souvankham Thammavongsa
3.0
I expected more from How to pronounce knife. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed short story collections before; the moving [b:The Secret Lives of Church Ladies|51582376|The Secret Lives of Church Ladies|Deesha Philyaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596947858l/51582376._SY75_.jpg|76186482] captured me in each page, [b:Lips Touch: Three Times|6369113|Lips Touch Three Times|Laini Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1341175359l/6369113._SX50_.jpg|6556598] gave me more of Laini Taylor's evocative writing.
These stories center around Lao immigrants and their children. It portrays family relationships, marginalization and yearning for connections. The writing wasn't the problem here; it was the format. The stories are too short and end abruptly right when the author gives us a glimpse of the characters' intentions and feelings. Each chapter left me with many questions unanswered, not as a pleasant surprise but rather wondering what the message was. In some instances it felt as if the author shoved the meaning in your face, while others seemed to have been written without a plan for what she wanted to happen. The characters felt like strangers and since the writing focused more on the setting (for example a workplace, a neighbourhood or a home), the stories rarely ever left a lasting impression on me.
The second half of the book was more enjoyable to me, this is where we get the lengthier stories that focus on a few selected characters. Slingshot details a confusing relationship between an elderly woman and a young woman. That piece was my favorite, as I could feel the raw emotion and loneliness. Randy Travis and Picking Worms also stood out. Mani Pedi was frankly a chore to read, as half of the dialogue is the main character's sister screaming at him. It became tiresome. All of the stories had moments with great potential that needed to be explored further, just a few more pages, more explanations.
I would gladly read a full-length novel by Thammavongsa because I can tell she has talent, but I don't think she pulled off the short story format.
These stories center around Lao immigrants and their children. It portrays family relationships, marginalization and yearning for connections. The writing wasn't the problem here; it was the format. The stories are too short and end abruptly right when the author gives us a glimpse of the characters' intentions and feelings. Each chapter left me with many questions unanswered, not as a pleasant surprise but rather wondering what the message was. In some instances it felt as if the author shoved the meaning in your face, while others seemed to have been written without a plan for what she wanted to happen. The characters felt like strangers and since the writing focused more on the setting (for example a workplace, a neighbourhood or a home), the stories rarely ever left a lasting impression on me.
The second half of the book was more enjoyable to me, this is where we get the lengthier stories that focus on a few selected characters. Slingshot details a confusing relationship between an elderly woman and a young woman. That piece was my favorite, as I could feel the raw emotion and loneliness. Randy Travis and Picking Worms also stood out. Mani Pedi was frankly a chore to read, as half of the dialogue is the main character's sister screaming at him. It became tiresome. All of the stories had moments with great potential that needed to be explored further, just a few more pages, more explanations.
I would gladly read a full-length novel by Thammavongsa because I can tell she has talent, but I don't think she pulled off the short story format.