Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird

This book is magical and raw. It is gruesome in subtle and overt ways, disturbing in the artisti ways. It is a book that focuses on the horror of being a woman, the innocence of being a child, and the weight of being a parent.
I think the writing is amazing and challenges what we know. The imagery is remarkable and the scenes she writes makes me shutter even rethinking them.
There is a variety of stories encased in this short work that I think would appeal to a variety of ppl. I think there are works in here that don't need a lot of critical thinking to understand the overall message and there are some that you would need to take a step back from and really take in all that has been given.

All in all this book will stay in my mind for a long time and deserves more attention.

Content Warnings

smithreads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

Content Warnings

mermaidsherbet's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Content Warnings

minimicropup's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Ruthless, pensive, uneasy.

So I don't spoil these layered, symbolic, and sometimes bizarre stories, I'm going to reduce them to their most literal base note:
1-An upstairs neighbour commits suicide

2-A teacher takes an unhealthy interest in a young girl’s bunny

3-Does a taxi driver with perfect nails hide a dirty secret?

4-The five destructive final stages of break-up grief

5-An alien or denial?

6-A NY transplant worries the city has infiltrated her brain

7-A child just wants to be close to their parents

8-The last act before joining the twenty-seven club

9-The subtly of the wolf

10-Literary cat vengeance

11-The danger of neglecting a grieving child planning a trip to the moon

12-Celebrity obsession takes a toll

13-Sitting on a bench observing a painting

14-A family tradition must never be tainted with tears

15-Circular aspirations

16-A sick abused teen under a hole in the roof

17-Torturing a caged bird while feeding those in the park

18-An examination of stained glass

19-A double-date to see a band in an undisclosed location

20-Being forced to work late puts a woman in danger

🐺🐕Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags:

🤔 I think these are meaningful but varied stories, so I doubt they will all be impactful or even understandable for all readers. I enjoyed the ones that had more of a direct plot (6, 15, 19, and 20), but I also didn't mind reading ones with a style or themes I would normally dislike (9, 13, 17, and 18). They're all short so even if you don't resonate with some, it's not a huge time investment.

👍 Metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, irony, and allegory abound. None of the tales (even those that went right over my head) felt pretentious, weird for the sake of weird, forced edgy, or word salad. It was that I didn't have the education or life experience (thankfully?) to "get" it. Most of the stories were subjective so the reader and their interpretation can be a vital part of the experience.

🥺 These are not like Tender is the Flesh. Any commonalities are in writing style and the ability of the author to make familiar unsettling feelings emerge from seemingly absurd unfamiliar moments. I would guess that even if you loved Tender is the Flesh, you won't necessarily not enjoy this. But if you enjoyed this, you will likely enjoy Tender is the Flesh too.

😟 I read these all in one sitting without breaks and felt a little low-key anxious after, but very happy to be back in my world. Check the content warnings and be in the mental space for it going in.

Mood Reading Match Up:

Highly symbolic, layered stories
Themes and commentary about assumption, retribution, and abuse from (and abuse of) friends, family, acquaintances, strangers, society, and values.
Bizarro fiction involving elements of absurdism, satire, and the grotesque
Deep, dark, confusing, unsettling, cathartic tales

Content Heads-Up: Suicide. Child abuse (sexual; insinuated on page or described via symbolism). Rape. Murder. Suicidal ideation and planning. Death of a spouse. Grief. Alcohol use (self-medication). Body shaming. Body horror (self-mutilation). Termination of pregnancy (involuntary). Animal cruelty and death (bird). Misogyny.

Format: Scribd Digital

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