A review by margztgz
Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enríquez

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'm so stunned by this book I don't even know where to start. This is definitely one of the best short story collections I've ever read; every story was good. Every word uttered and story included was necessary and spellbinding. Mariana Enriquez knows how to capture the gothic and grotesque, and mixes it with scenes of Buenos Aires and the underbelly of society and suffering in a really interesting way. I became attached quickly to all of the characters, and intrigued yet horrified by many of the scenes. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Drug use, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Ableism, Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, and Alcohol

Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Suicide, and Violence