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A review by jessdekkerreads
Fruiting Bodies by Kathryn Harlan
5.0
REVIEW: Fruiting Bodies: Stories by Kathryn Harlan
I loved each and every story in this collection, which I’m not sure I can say about any other short story collection. I took notes and instead of a proper review, I’m going to subject you to my rambling notes here:
Overall: Imaginative, w/ an eerie feeling looming over your shoulder, haunting, looming gothic vibes, discovering queerness, coming of age, messy world and politics, “is it fair to give a child what the world has left?” Environmental crises weighing heavy. Stunning sentences, you won’t want to forget your tabs or pen with this one.
Algal Bloom - young queer desire, coming of age, mythical, reflection, belonging. - Feels like: Hot slick skin, new freckles on your shoulder, mildew, quick glances at your crush, melting popsicles
•
Viper King - father daughter dynamics, conspiracy theories, isolation, on the road. - Feels like: cracked linoleum, broken flip flops, cigarette smoke, decaying roadkill
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The Changeling - sisterhood, belonging, chosen family. - Feels like: insects in jars, musky perfume, fetus dioramas, sterile hospitals, skinned knees.
Tw: miscarriage and fertility treatments
•
Take Only What Belongs to You - woman’s obsession with a late female author, trying to understand more about herself and her queerness through examining the work of said author. - Feels like - old libraries, ink stained fingertips, ghostly figures looming
•
Fiddler, Fool Pair - folktales, magical realism - Feels like: rotten apples, hazy smoke filled rooms, unpaid debts
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Is This You? - mental health, motherhood dynamics, taking care of your younger self, trauma - Feels like: greasy hair, stale cheerios, buttery waffles, rotten apples
Tw: suicide attempt, disordered eating
•
Fruiting Bodies - body grows mushrooms. living in seclusion until a stranger shows up. - Feels like: mushroom risotto, dirt under your fingernails, rusty fences,
•
Endangered Animals - CA wildfires, a road trip, reinventing yourself, “when I’m around other people I don’t feel real”, mental health, climate crises - Feels like: hot, sweaty road trips, exploring Powell’s in Portland, tv dinners, motel bed springs.
Tw: suicidal ideation
I loved each and every story in this collection, which I’m not sure I can say about any other short story collection. I took notes and instead of a proper review, I’m going to subject you to my rambling notes here:
Overall: Imaginative, w/ an eerie feeling looming over your shoulder, haunting, looming gothic vibes, discovering queerness, coming of age, messy world and politics, “is it fair to give a child what the world has left?” Environmental crises weighing heavy. Stunning sentences, you won’t want to forget your tabs or pen with this one.
Algal Bloom - young queer desire, coming of age, mythical, reflection, belonging. - Feels like: Hot slick skin, new freckles on your shoulder, mildew, quick glances at your crush, melting popsicles
•
Viper King - father daughter dynamics, conspiracy theories, isolation, on the road. - Feels like: cracked linoleum, broken flip flops, cigarette smoke, decaying roadkill
•
The Changeling - sisterhood, belonging, chosen family. - Feels like: insects in jars, musky perfume, fetus dioramas, sterile hospitals, skinned knees.
Tw: miscarriage and fertility treatments
•
Take Only What Belongs to You - woman’s obsession with a late female author, trying to understand more about herself and her queerness through examining the work of said author. - Feels like - old libraries, ink stained fingertips, ghostly figures looming
•
Fiddler, Fool Pair - folktales, magical realism - Feels like: rotten apples, hazy smoke filled rooms, unpaid debts
•
Is This You? - mental health, motherhood dynamics, taking care of your younger self, trauma - Feels like: greasy hair, stale cheerios, buttery waffles, rotten apples
Tw: suicide attempt, disordered eating
•
Fruiting Bodies - body grows mushrooms. living in seclusion until a stranger shows up. - Feels like: mushroom risotto, dirt under your fingernails, rusty fences,
•
Endangered Animals - CA wildfires, a road trip, reinventing yourself, “when I’m around other people I don’t feel real”, mental health, climate crises - Feels like: hot, sweaty road trips, exploring Powell’s in Portland, tv dinners, motel bed springs.
Tw: suicidal ideation