Scan barcode
humphreads's review
4.0
Ways of Living, one kindly gifted to me that I hadn’t heard of before santa (@jordtaylorjones and @influxpress) posted it through my letter box. Thank you x10.
In this, is a collection of ten short stories of whom are branded ordinary women, and their weird coping mechanisms with the oddness of present day.
This is a unique little read that fully had my attention. This weekend a read of this was slotted into all the time gaps in my days. It’s almost abstract in its writing due to the silly plots of tales, yet it’s themes are complex. For example, hiding in trees and running off into the wild because of overactive WhatsApp groups are both actions in this book. But so are topics like death, loneliness, unwanted marriages. Due to it coming out in July this year, there’s also loads of subtle mentions of the pandemic. It’s no covid name drops, but in these stories of people just tryna have a breezy day, little mentions of muted skype speakers and masks is a pretty nice touch.
Influx press always do such a great job at selecting their releases and this is definitely no exception. It fits their usual abstract-but-also-not-actually category perfectly and is a really nice one.
In this, is a collection of ten short stories of whom are branded ordinary women, and their weird coping mechanisms with the oddness of present day.
This is a unique little read that fully had my attention. This weekend a read of this was slotted into all the time gaps in my days. It’s almost abstract in its writing due to the silly plots of tales, yet it’s themes are complex. For example, hiding in trees and running off into the wild because of overactive WhatsApp groups are both actions in this book. But so are topics like death, loneliness, unwanted marriages. Due to it coming out in July this year, there’s also loads of subtle mentions of the pandemic. It’s no covid name drops, but in these stories of people just tryna have a breezy day, little mentions of muted skype speakers and masks is a pretty nice touch.
Influx press always do such a great job at selecting their releases and this is definitely no exception. It fits their usual abstract-but-also-not-actually category perfectly and is a really nice one.
bigbizliz1991's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
5.0
waybeyondblue's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tiisetsoo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
5.0
notkaekae's review
2.0
i must be missing something. ive only seen good things about this book and i just did not like it. i enjoyed maybe two out of all of the short stories, and everything else was such a chore to read. i can tell the author has talent somewhere, but it is not here. i will not be reading this again. the only reason i finished was because my grandpa bought me this.
leoniepeonie's review
5.0
An absolutely magical, joyful and fascinating collection. I loved the variety across these stories and the worlds each one plunged into, all held together with threads of London and womanhood and surrealism. They were beautifully observed even while feeling other-worldly, and the book was a real treat to keep coming back to. I'd read more Seltzer in a heartbeat!
harriett4's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0