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A review by manwithanagenda
Come Along With Me by Shirley Jackson
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Though everything I've read about Shirley Jackson says the contrary, I can't help but think that she was very unhappy. Perhaps she was only sympathetic: all of her central characters (her family stories aside), all of her focus, seems to be inside the heads of uncertain women unhappy with their lot.
They are always compelling, whether it is "Mrs. Angela Motorman," the protagonist of Jackson's unfinished novel, or Miss Harper, who has an unfortunate trip on the bus. Shirley Jackson in a quick phrase, a single scene, can illustrate the cruelties and odd habits of everyday life.
A few of the stories seemed lack a center, especially "The Rock," which had never been published before, but that might only be my lingering unease about the disquieting endings Jackson favored.
In addition to the short stories there are a few printed lectures on writing and reactions to "The Lottery", which are intelligent, funny, and offer a lot of insight into how Jackson operated as a writer.
The more of her work that I read, the better I can picture how connected all of her work really is. Shirley Jackson never repeated herself, but together her work really tells a lot about post-war America up to the early 1960s.
They are always compelling, whether it is "Mrs. Angela Motorman," the protagonist of Jackson's unfinished novel, or Miss Harper, who has an unfortunate trip on the bus. Shirley Jackson in a quick phrase, a single scene, can illustrate the cruelties and odd habits of everyday life.
A few of the stories seemed lack a center, especially "The Rock," which had never been published before, but that might only be my lingering unease about the disquieting endings Jackson favored.
In addition to the short stories there are a few printed lectures on writing and reactions to "The Lottery", which are intelligent, funny, and offer a lot of insight into how Jackson operated as a writer.
The more of her work that I read, the better I can picture how connected all of her work really is. Shirley Jackson never repeated herself, but together her work really tells a lot about post-war America up to the early 1960s.