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horourke's reviews
63 reviews
Rest and Be Thankful by Emma Glass
3.0
chapter titles were unnecessary and the writing felt very MFA, but overall a decent read. wish we knew more about the character’s life but I guess that’s the point of a short novella. really thought she would kill herself and was surprised by the ending when she didn’t
The Very Nice Box by Eve Gleichman, Laura Blackett
4.0
Extremely fun and creative. I loved how fast paced it was and easy to read. Gave me similar vibes to “I have some questions for you.”
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky
2.75
Prose was incredibly stilted at times. I typically don’t enjoy novels written from a child’s perspective and this was no different. Reminded me a lot of “The First Day of Spring” which I also disliked.
The switch between third and first person narration was jarring and awkward, and I still don’t understand why the whole thing was told as a story-within-a-story, with some stories not even actually happening. I feel like it would’ve been better if the accident with Agnes was obscured instead of plainly describe in the first few pages - there was no mystery to the rest of the book.
The switch between third and first person narration was jarring and awkward, and I still don’t understand why the whole thing was told as a story-within-a-story, with some stories not even actually happening. I feel like it would’ve been better if the accident with Agnes was obscured instead of plainly describe in the first few pages - there was no mystery to the rest of the book.
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
4.0
I looove when the narrator of a novel is just a straight up piece of shit. Did not expect the twist either and thoroughly enjoyed Irina’s descent into madness.
Your Driver Is Waiting by Priya Guns
fast-paced
2.75
Extremely predictable with only surface level class analysis
The Best Short Stories 2023: The O. Henry Prize Winners by Lauren Groff, Jenny Minton Quigley
really exceptional short story collection. even the stories I didn’t like I kinda liked
Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill
5.0
Every story in this collection is exceptional. Gaitskill aptly captures the complicated, messy reality of womanhood through incredibly complex characters. Each story is a fully-fleshed look into these women’s lives, laying them bare without judgement. The theme of romanticizing a woman before you truly know her was prevalent and beautifully executed. Highly highly recommend.
My favorites from this collection are “Daisy’s Valentine,” “A Romantic Weekend,” “Connection,” and “Heaven.”
My favorites from this collection are “Daisy’s Valentine,” “A Romantic Weekend,” “Connection,” and “Heaven.”
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
medium-paced
4.0
A murder mystery; a retrospective of youth; an exploration of who gets to be a victim, who gets justice, and when it’s too late for those decisions to be made. I really dislike when novels mention COVID as a way to show “relevance,” and I feel like Part 2 of this novel was written significantly later than the beginning half. Still, it was very engaging and interesting, if a bit long.