seamoonstone's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can't say I enjoyed reading this book, but I think that might be intentional–it would be repulsive to say I relate specifically to these characters, but I can say I've perhaps felt just as uncomfortable and lost as these characters. The narrators, regardless of age, are all similarly naive and whimsical, often perfectly capturing that feeling of adolescence when you realize you truly don't know what's going on. This would be enjoyable, maybe even cathartic, except that many of these stories are sex obsessed in an uncomfortable, even perverse, way, implying that the only way to connect with other people is through sex, but the sex is always transactional and exploitative. The stories that are not explicitly sexual are akin to an odd coworker describing their dream in detail to you when you just want to drink your coffee in peace. In spite of all this, July is a talented writer, and the stories or moments that did not rely on taboo were beautiful and charming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest and Pedophilia
spicysav's review against another edition
3.0
It was not a vibe, and then it was, and then it wasn't again. A couple stories I LOVED, and all and all I just don't know.
clarkness's review against another edition
3.0
Weird for the sake of being weird? Maybe. This collection of shorts really benefits from being a collection. It becomes clear by the end of the book that these are all characters that are fundamentally defined by their inability to communicate normally. They feel so out of place in everyday situations that it is at first heartbreaking and then oddly creepy and then bizarrely reassuring. The title speaks to these various feelings in a number of ways. The first interpretation is that July is reassuring her characters that they do belong in society and quieting their fears. The alternate interpretation is far more unsettling: you are so fucked up that the only place you belong is collected with these other rejects. I think that both of these interpretations go a long way towards explaining how we all feel depending on the day.
hazelwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
rebeccaalexis's review against another edition
2.0
was going to say i liked the format until i realized it's a magazine. zeitgeist informed zine.
mnjesse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cnxnoname's review against another edition
2.0
This book was fucking ridiculous. I mean some of the stories/shorts were provocative; but overall — I kept saying to myself, what is the point? What's the point! I mean — I know there doesn't always have to be a point and Miranda July is a writer with a unique talent that straddles the line between alternatively sexy/gross and borderline distasteful but overall, I just kept feeling like: okay, and?
Something That Needs Nothing was the best read. It was just so visceral; but like sad and depressing but also warm. I don't know. I really enjoyed that one. That was the most enjoyable element of these stories. I feel like — I'd read more of her work just to see what she's actually trying to say as a writer.
Something That Needs Nothing was the best read. It was just so visceral; but like sad and depressing but also warm. I don't know. I really enjoyed that one. That was the most enjoyable element of these stories. I feel like — I'd read more of her work just to see what she's actually trying to say as a writer.
lauranoonz's review against another edition
5.0
a pleasure to read, could not put it down. Miranda July's writing is quirky and carries a peculiar yet relatable sense of humour. highly recommend it as a casual summer read.