sometimesireadsometimesidont's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Thus was a tough read. The content has topics that I usually stay away from as I prefer to read for enjoyment. The authors writing and my curiosity kept me reading. It the stories were longer I doubt I would have kept reading.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Mental illness, Sexual content, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, and Stalking
pallasreads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
July is incredibly skilled at shaking your assumptions. As soon as you think you’ve gotten your feet under you in a particular world, she shakes it up in ways that are never impossible and almost always completely fitting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Pedophilia
hal_stelzle's review against another edition
2.0
Some stories in this I really liked (first 2, Something that Needs Nothing, This Person) but many were not for me and went too off the rails too often (and usually in a similar way). Was expecting this to be funnier all the way through as well, but truly most of the stories are quite sad, strange, and uncomfortable. Sad and strange isn't always a bad thing but not what I was expecting and not my favorite. Definitely check content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Incest, and Sexual content
briannasam's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Incest and Adult/minor relationship
aaishareadss's review against another edition
some of the stories made me uncomfortable and others were quite funny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual content
jessedithgc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Addiction, Blood, Violence, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Ableism
Moderate: Addiction
natgoe's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
gius's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia
sofilduarte's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
ciwanski's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don’t really read short stories but I picked this one up for some reason. Maybe a recommendation? I can’t remember. It’s a pretty quick read, the stories move at a nice pace. I personally had to space out this book because some of the stories, especially the first half, made me feel so desolate and exhausted.
I want to do more research on July to see what has inspired her to write these stories. I wonder why many of them have themes of pedophilia.
I think my favorite stories were This Person, Something That Needs Nothing and How To Tell Stories To Children.
I think July’s writing encapsulates the complex simplicities of being human and interacting with lives we didn’t ask for and the people in them. The whole book felt like a never-ending transitional period and made me yearn for change in my own life. Some stories were also a little disturbing and yucky and made me feel things that I don’t normally feel. An interesting book to read to feel things beyond joy and sadness.
I want to do more research on July to see what has inspired her to write these stories. I wonder why many of them have themes of pedophilia.
I think my favorite stories were This Person, Something That Needs Nothing and How To Tell Stories To Children.
I think July’s writing encapsulates the complex simplicities of being human and interacting with lives we didn’t ask for and the people in them. The whole book felt like a never-ending transitional period and made me yearn for change in my own life. Some stories were also a little disturbing and yucky and made me feel things that I don’t normally feel. An interesting book to read to feel things beyond joy and sadness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual content