Scan barcode
A review by rakoerose
I Hold a Wolf by the Ears: Stories by Laura van den Berg
4.0
This was a great collection of stories and I’m happy to have picked it up!
She told us that evil rarely looked like evil when it first arrived.
— from “Cult of Mary”
I was surprised how many of these pieces seemed to focus on things buried, that must be confronted and realized. The darkness within the world and within ourselves, shrouded in van den Berg’s really gritty, surreal style. Some of the stories left me feeling dread in the pit of my stomach, partially due to the topic and partially because I know much of this is a true potential experience for women. (as a result, I do recommend looking up content warnings for this collection if you have any sensitivities. A big one mentioned is sexual assault, with others as well.)
If I had to pick my favorite story, it’s probably “Lizards,” for much of what I said above. It truly illustrates how women aren’t viewed genuinely for their fears, for the worries about sexual assault. It highlights how men sometimes lack the ability to bridge that gap where women are so often viewed as prey instead of equals. It left a tingly sensation across my whole body with fear when I finished it, because women so often are in these positions and never realize it. Because society deemed it the norm.
I also particularly enjoyed “The Pitch” for its surreal tone and unexpected ending. The intense focus on her husband’s gardening gloves added to the weird vibe of the story. It’s another one where they have to confront what was buried for so long.
Overall, I do recommend this collection for those looking for stories that delve deep into the feminine experience. Stories that aren’t afraid to lay bare the harsh realities of existence.
She told us that evil rarely looked like evil when it first arrived.
— from “Cult of Mary”
I was surprised how many of these pieces seemed to focus on things buried, that must be confronted and realized. The darkness within the world and within ourselves, shrouded in van den Berg’s really gritty, surreal style. Some of the stories left me feeling dread in the pit of my stomach, partially due to the topic and partially because I know much of this is a true potential experience for women. (as a result, I do recommend looking up content warnings for this collection if you have any sensitivities. A big one mentioned is sexual assault, with others as well.)
If I had to pick my favorite story, it’s probably “Lizards,” for much of what I said above. It truly illustrates how women aren’t viewed genuinely for their fears, for the worries about sexual assault. It highlights how men sometimes lack the ability to bridge that gap where women are so often viewed as prey instead of equals. It left a tingly sensation across my whole body with fear when I finished it, because women so often are in these positions and never realize it. Because society deemed it the norm.
I also particularly enjoyed “The Pitch” for its surreal tone and unexpected ending. The intense focus on her husband’s gardening gloves added to the weird vibe of the story. It’s another one where they have to confront what was buried for so long.
Overall, I do recommend this collection for those looking for stories that delve deep into the feminine experience. Stories that aren’t afraid to lay bare the harsh realities of existence.