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theflamingopriss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gabbiec's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
rsinclair6536's review against another edition
5.0
Thoroughly engrossing stories that explore human fears (of climate change, harm to a loved one, poverty, loneliness, victimization, abandonment, etc.) as they play out in fantastical environments. This magical realism gives Russell room to show us new ways to think about common experiences that haunt us. Rarely have I felt so present in places so clearly outside my frames of reference.
hannahvangorder's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jfaberrit's review against another edition
5.0
If Karen Russell didn't quite get the magic-to-realistic ratio right in Swamplandia!, which was very good in parts but kind of messy overall, then she definitely figured it all out here. In 8 stories that are all fantastic in their own deadpan, largely unspoken ways, she finds her voice and shows how the magical can be used to a number of different goals, fiercely clever in their own unique ways. Particular highlights include Bog Girl, which plays as a macabre teen comedy featuring a dead girl buried a few millennia ago, Orange World, which grapples with the terrors of parenthood in a way that more straightforward takes have very rarely achieved, and Black Corfu, which is basically a zombie story turned completely on its head with regard to where the threats to society and humanity lie. My favorite, though, is The Tornado Auction, in small part because the Audiobook narrator was absolutely perfect. It's a melancholy take on a whole different kind of "wind farming", whose voice is strong and just disconcerting enough to hit home hard. Some of the endings are a little rough, but basically the collection is darn near perfect, and should win awards.
r_rachel29's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
4.0
hb_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I was caught off guard by how much I enjoyed this. each of these stories takes you by surprise, presenting a world very much like our own, with key differences that everyone accepts. the first two stories were good build-ups to this type of story, and it gets weirder and weirder as the collection progresses. normally I list my favorites in any story collection but I'm struggling to do so here as I really enjoyed them all. if I had to choose, I'd say Bog Girl, Black Corfu, The Gondoliers, and Orange World were my favorites. I highly recommend the audiobook - I really think the voices of the narrators add a lot to each story. Definitely excited to read more Karen Russell soon!
nellusso's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
eatingbooks69's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced