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A review by joanaprneves
The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I learnt about Shirley Jackson through the film Shirley and became rather curious about her, especially because one of the short stories of the book, the one that gives it its title, has warranted a top record of readers letters to The New Yorker about a piece of fiction. The story must have felt shocking indeed, mostly because it was written by a woman in 1948, I suppose.
Jackson’s writing is not was was expected of a “lady writer” - it is dark, there is cruelty, the characters are often trapped in a web of social rules they don’t quite understand, or trap others in those rules. Moreover, the stories have nothing of what is conventionally considered a good end for a short-story. They simply unfold, or unravel, and there doesn’t seem to be any redemption or form
of escaping. They read a bit like Modern parables but they are also set in a reality that rings true.
The stories are impeccably written, with a rhythm, and a pace that are quite unique and never complicated or convoluted. They are deceivingly simple. They also never tell the reader what to think, leaving them a bit breathless in the face if evil, indifference, racism, greediness, peer pressure, dysfunctional group behaviour.
I imagine that all this - this handling of sheer cruelty at times - contributed for Jackson to remain unlauded and slightly forgotten when she shouldn’t have been.
I only gave it 4 starts because there are two or three longer stories that aren’t as accomplished as the other ones in my opinion, and where Jackson seems to be practicing for something else, perhaps her novels.
Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read her other books.
Jackson’s writing is not was was expected of a “lady writer” - it is dark, there is cruelty, the characters are often trapped in a web of social rules they don’t quite understand, or trap others in those rules. Moreover, the stories have nothing of what is conventionally considered a good end for a short-story. They simply unfold, or unravel, and there doesn’t seem to be any redemption or form
of escaping. They read a bit like Modern parables but they are also set in a reality that rings true.
The stories are impeccably written, with a rhythm, and a pace that are quite unique and never complicated or convoluted. They are deceivingly simple. They also never tell the reader what to think, leaving them a bit breathless in the face if evil, indifference, racism, greediness, peer pressure, dysfunctional group behaviour.
I imagine that all this - this handling of sheer cruelty at times - contributed for Jackson to remain unlauded and slightly forgotten when she shouldn’t have been.
I only gave it 4 starts because there are two or three longer stories that aren’t as accomplished as the other ones in my opinion, and where Jackson seems to be practicing for something else, perhaps her novels.
Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read her other books.