oddly's review against another edition
5.0
Shirley Jackson's short works (barring perhaps her most famed tale "The Lottery") may not have the intensity and shocking impact of her longer, more well-known novels (especially the Gothic ones), but she is a master storyteller nonetheless.
The stories in The Lottery and Other Stories comprise much of her early short fiction, published in magazines and such from 1941 to 1949. These stories show many of the themes that she focused on for her entire career, including female protagonists who don't quite fit in, children, and the dark and strange.
The stories almost exclusively center around one character, following their innermost thoughts and actions. She relies heavily on description and inner thought; her writing doesn't use as much dialogue. The stories often focus on naive people who are often preyed upon or manipulated by others or people who are pretending to be something they are not. Jackson is interested in upsetting the status quo that everyone follows so blindly. People in Jackson's stories are the picture of refinement, perfect in dress and manner, but there is always something dark bubbling beneath the surface. Social norms are overturned with small but creepingly insidious actions, like an old lady stealing inconsequential things from someone in her boarding house ("Trial By Combat") or a child who tells tales about a bad kid in class only to have it come out that he was the bad kid all along ("Charles").
Often, the stories also swivel into the absurd, such as in "Like Mother Used to Make," where a fastidious man ends up ceding his dinner and his apartment to his loud and sloppy neighbor when she invites herself in and claims, in front of her guest, that his place is in fact hers.
Jackson is interested in what divides people: age, class, gender, race—her stories often look at social structures and how these rules we impose on ourselves have a detrimental effect on us. One thing I loved about these stories is that they often feel almost mundane, but then there will be a sting right at the end of the story that leaves you wondering and rereading to see what you missed. She has a way of writing about the mundane that will leave the hair on the back of your neck standing up.
I often felt that the stories were metaphorical, meant to poke holes in the way of life that Shirley herself found so stifling. In "The Renegade," a woman is faced with the entire town (and even her family) insisting that she put down her dog as it has been killing chickens. But the story seemed to be less about the situation and more about the woman and how as a newcomer to the country lifestyle she feels unprepared and undervalued by her family. Life as she knew it is snuffed out while those around her look on and see nothing wrong.
My favorites of the collection are:
"Pillar of Salt": In which a woman and her husband go on a trip to New York City. At first everything seems glamorous and exciting and new, but after a few incidents, the wife begins to experience crippling anxiety.
"The Tooth": In which a woman takes a bus to the city to have a tooth extracted and falls into a strange fever dream where she forgets who she is.
"The Lottery": This one is a classic for a reason. What struck me on this reading was the blind adherence to something considered a tradition for no other reason than "that's the way we've always done things." They are all happy with their ignorance even though they know full well how heinous and pointless it is. Since it doesn't affect them and they aren't really to blame for the end result, they can continue to ignore it. Sound familiar?
There is so much depth in these stories—I could go on about them for ages.
This review is part of my #summerofshirley read through of all of Jackson's works, 2020.
The stories in The Lottery and Other Stories comprise much of her early short fiction, published in magazines and such from 1941 to 1949. These stories show many of the themes that she focused on for her entire career, including female protagonists who don't quite fit in, children, and the dark and strange.
The stories almost exclusively center around one character, following their innermost thoughts and actions. She relies heavily on description and inner thought; her writing doesn't use as much dialogue. The stories often focus on naive people who are often preyed upon or manipulated by others or people who are pretending to be something they are not. Jackson is interested in upsetting the status quo that everyone follows so blindly. People in Jackson's stories are the picture of refinement, perfect in dress and manner, but there is always something dark bubbling beneath the surface. Social norms are overturned with small but creepingly insidious actions, like an old lady stealing inconsequential things from someone in her boarding house ("Trial By Combat") or a child who tells tales about a bad kid in class only to have it come out that he was the bad kid all along ("Charles").
Often, the stories also swivel into the absurd, such as in "Like Mother Used to Make," where a fastidious man ends up ceding his dinner and his apartment to his loud and sloppy neighbor when she invites herself in and claims, in front of her guest, that his place is in fact hers.
Jackson is interested in what divides people: age, class, gender, race—her stories often look at social structures and how these rules we impose on ourselves have a detrimental effect on us. One thing I loved about these stories is that they often feel almost mundane, but then there will be a sting right at the end of the story that leaves you wondering and rereading to see what you missed. She has a way of writing about the mundane that will leave the hair on the back of your neck standing up.
I often felt that the stories were metaphorical, meant to poke holes in the way of life that Shirley herself found so stifling. In "The Renegade," a woman is faced with the entire town (and even her family) insisting that she put down her dog as it has been killing chickens. But the story seemed to be less about the situation and more about the woman and how as a newcomer to the country lifestyle she feels unprepared and undervalued by her family. Life as she knew it is snuffed out while those around her look on and see nothing wrong.
My favorites of the collection are:
"Pillar of Salt": In which a woman and her husband go on a trip to New York City. At first everything seems glamorous and exciting and new, but after a few incidents, the wife begins to experience crippling anxiety.
"The Tooth": In which a woman takes a bus to the city to have a tooth extracted and falls into a strange fever dream where she forgets who she is.
"The Lottery": This one is a classic for a reason. What struck me on this reading was the blind adherence to something considered a tradition for no other reason than "that's the way we've always done things." They are all happy with their ignorance even though they know full well how heinous and pointless it is. Since it doesn't affect them and they aren't really to blame for the end result, they can continue to ignore it. Sound familiar?
There is so much depth in these stories—I could go on about them for ages.
This review is part of my #summerofshirley read through of all of Jackson's works, 2020.
amcloughlin's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best short story collections I've had the pleasure to encounter. Understated, atmospheric, and haunting in a way that rarely involves ghosts. Jackson allows us to slip into other skins, other living rooms, other lives. Well worth reading.
declancity's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emmacraig's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
ajsterkel's review against another edition
4.0
“The Lottery” is one of my favorite short stories of all time. I first studied it in college and loved the slow buildup of tension and the unexpected ending. As soon as I finished “The Lottery,” I vowed to read all of Shirley Jackson’s work. Unfortunately, I’m a slacker. I graduated from college years ago, and I’m just now getting around to doing what I said I would.
“Unusual” is a good way to describe Shirley Jackson’s short stories. Most of the 24 tales in this collection feature ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations. Mothers lose their identities at the orthodontist; townspeople ponder the fate of a chicken-killing dog; and old men tell children about the murders they committed. There isn’t much violence on the page, but it lurks in the background of every sentence. Many of the characters seem mentally ill. There’s a sense that the careful masks people wear in public could slip, and something could go horribly wrong at any moment.
Most of the stories are about the small unkindnesses that happen every day. That’s what makes the characters so relatable. Shirley Jackson must have been a very observant person. She perfectly captures the moments where people are carelessly and unknowingly mean to each other. These stories are subtle, yet impressive. They chronicle the everyday horrors that we all have to face. In Jackson’s world, the “monsters” are racism, greed, superiority, suppression, lies, and alienation.
Here are my favorite stories:
In “Charles,” a kindergartner entertains his parents with tales of “Charles,” a misbehaving classmate. The boy’s nosy mother becomes desperate to meet Charles’s parents. This story is predictable, but I liked waiting to see if the characters would figure out what was going on.
A family gets new neighbors in “Of Course.” At first, the mother is excited for her kids to have new playmates, but the new neighbors are so stuck-up and opinionated that the relationship goes downhill fast. This story is relatable. We’ve all had the misfortune of meeting people who think they’re better than us. Also, I laughed at the last line.
I think a lot of bookworms can relate to “Seven Types of Ambiguity.” Two men want the same antique book. One wants it because it looks pretty; the other wants to read it. Who will get the book? This story made me sad. And angry.
Finally, “The Lottery” is a classic American short story. It’s had a massive impact on modern horror and dystopian fiction. It’s about a town that holds a lottery every year, but it’s not the type of lottery that you want to win. That’s all I’ll say about it. Go read it, if you haven’t already.
Like I said earlier, the stories in this collection are subtle. They’re not the type of thing you can read in a hurry. You’ll need some time to mentally process them after they’re over. For me, a few of the stories are too subtle. (Or possibly too dated? This collection was first published in 1949. Social conventions have changed since then.) I think I missed the point of a few stories. They just dragged. Nothing happened. I wanted them to be over so I could move on to the next one. Luckily, there are 24 stories in this book, so there’s something for everyone.
I didn’t like every story in this collection, but I liked them enough that I’m eager to read Jackson’s novels. But, since I’m a world-class slacker, it’ll probably take me a while. Check back in seven years to see how I feel about The Haunting of Hill House . . .
“Unusual” is a good way to describe Shirley Jackson’s short stories. Most of the 24 tales in this collection feature ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations. Mothers lose their identities at the orthodontist; townspeople ponder the fate of a chicken-killing dog; and old men tell children about the murders they committed. There isn’t much violence on the page, but it lurks in the background of every sentence. Many of the characters seem mentally ill. There’s a sense that the careful masks people wear in public could slip, and something could go horribly wrong at any moment.
“Upstairs Margaret said abruptly, 'I suppose it starts to happen first in the suburbs,' and when Brad said, 'What starts to happen?' she said hysterically, 'People starting to come apart.” – The Lottery and Other Stories
Most of the stories are about the small unkindnesses that happen every day. That’s what makes the characters so relatable. Shirley Jackson must have been a very observant person. She perfectly captures the moments where people are carelessly and unknowingly mean to each other. These stories are subtle, yet impressive. They chronicle the everyday horrors that we all have to face. In Jackson’s world, the “monsters” are racism, greed, superiority, suppression, lies, and alienation.
Here are my favorite stories:
In “Charles,” a kindergartner entertains his parents with tales of “Charles,” a misbehaving classmate. The boy’s nosy mother becomes desperate to meet Charles’s parents. This story is predictable, but I liked waiting to see if the characters would figure out what was going on.
A family gets new neighbors in “Of Course.” At first, the mother is excited for her kids to have new playmates, but the new neighbors are so stuck-up and opinionated that the relationship goes downhill fast. This story is relatable. We’ve all had the misfortune of meeting people who think they’re better than us. Also, I laughed at the last line.
I think a lot of bookworms can relate to “Seven Types of Ambiguity.” Two men want the same antique book. One wants it because it looks pretty; the other wants to read it. Who will get the book? This story made me sad. And angry.
Finally, “The Lottery” is a classic American short story. It’s had a massive impact on modern horror and dystopian fiction. It’s about a town that holds a lottery every year, but it’s not the type of lottery that you want to win. That’s all I’ll say about it. Go read it, if you haven’t already.
Like I said earlier, the stories in this collection are subtle. They’re not the type of thing you can read in a hurry. You’ll need some time to mentally process them after they’re over. For me, a few of the stories are too subtle. (Or possibly too dated? This collection was first published in 1949. Social conventions have changed since then.) I think I missed the point of a few stories. They just dragged. Nothing happened. I wanted them to be over so I could move on to the next one. Luckily, there are 24 stories in this book, so there’s something for everyone.
I didn’t like every story in this collection, but I liked them enough that I’m eager to read Jackson’s novels. But, since I’m a world-class slacker, it’ll probably take me a while. Check back in seven years to see how I feel about The Haunting of Hill House . . .
thecatwood's review against another edition
5.0
Jackson is a master of suspense, sinking feelings and mob mentalities. I first read "The Lottery" when I was thirteen and loved it and that probably "says a lot" about my sensibilities.
okk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0