inkell's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Vomit
Moderate: Sexual content
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
2.0
While the idea of the book is good (in fact, the introduction makes me want to track down the book that inspired this one), many of the stories in this collection were misses for me. Not so much because I was offended by the subject matter, but more because they caused a meh reaction.
However, the two stories that really stand out are “Whither Thou Goest” by Gerri Leen and “Psalm of the Second Body “by Catherynne Valente. “Whither” is a take on the story of Ruth, with a rather interesting couple of twists. Valente’s tale isn’t biblical, but a retelling of a passage in Gilgamesh. It is hauntingly beautiful like much of her work.
In addition to these two tales, there are three that are so-so. “Babylon’s Burning” is a rather neat take on Daniel in the lions’ den, “Judith & Holoferenes” is mediation about the countless artwork, and the third “Jawbone of An Ass” presents Samson in the time of the Irish Troubles. While these three didn’t produce the enjoyment of Leen’s and Valente’s, the ideas and twists were at least interesting.
The other stories in the collection, I could not get though.
Crossposted at Booklikes
However, the two stories that really stand out are “Whither Thou Goest” by Gerri Leen and “Psalm of the Second Body “by Catherynne Valente. “Whither” is a take on the story of Ruth, with a rather interesting couple of twists. Valente’s tale isn’t biblical, but a retelling of a passage in Gilgamesh. It is hauntingly beautiful like much of her work.
In addition to these two tales, there are three that are so-so. “Babylon’s Burning” is a rather neat take on Daniel in the lions’ den, “Judith & Holoferenes” is mediation about the countless artwork, and the third “Jawbone of An Ass” presents Samson in the time of the Irish Troubles. While these three didn’t produce the enjoyment of Leen’s and Valente’s, the ideas and twists were at least interesting.
The other stories in the collection, I could not get though.
Crossposted at Booklikes
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