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kristianamr's review against another edition
4.0
Pages from the Pizza Crows is as abstract and weird as it is wonderful. Fiction’s synopsis suggests any reader is in for a bizarre read as each tale told is determined by the pizza type and toppings fed to the crow who visits the narrator each night.
Fiction’s premise is excellent and immersive. From the very beginning you buy into the belief this short story collection was furnished by a crow with a taste for pizza. As the narrator experiments with crusts, toppings and pizza joints, the stories fluctuate between narrative voice and style, theme and how abstract they are. The eclectism of this collection is to be applauded and admired. Fiction showcases an excellent talent for storytelling and harnesses multiple genres in the process. Some stories are bizarre, others are hilarious and many are sinister and reflective of the human condition.
Due to the narrator’s pizza experimentation, the stories also improve as the collection progresses, as the narrator learns the crow’s mechanics and tastes. The way Fiction frames their own progression as a writer is clever. It also meant the pace at which I devoured (pardon the pun) this book increased as the storytelling was elevated in fluidity and style. The last few, “Lethe”, “The Bright Idea Room” and “Satan’s Spies” were particular favourites of mine. Earlier stories showcased how narration is refined and re-defined, such as “Bedfellows” versus “Belligamy” and “The Red Constellation”; the latter two offering a sinister exploration of society, its dangers and human nature’s response.
Fiction’s approach is fascinating and unique but undoubtedly the collection may be for an acquired taste; abstract stories are not for everyone but I promise most in the collection are visceral and thought-provoking tales.
Pages from the Pizza Crows is certainly worth a read - I encourage you to take the plunge into the weird and the wonderful.
Fiction’s premise is excellent and immersive. From the very beginning you buy into the belief this short story collection was furnished by a crow with a taste for pizza. As the narrator experiments with crusts, toppings and pizza joints, the stories fluctuate between narrative voice and style, theme and how abstract they are. The eclectism of this collection is to be applauded and admired. Fiction showcases an excellent talent for storytelling and harnesses multiple genres in the process. Some stories are bizarre, others are hilarious and many are sinister and reflective of the human condition.
Due to the narrator’s pizza experimentation, the stories also improve as the collection progresses, as the narrator learns the crow’s mechanics and tastes. The way Fiction frames their own progression as a writer is clever. It also meant the pace at which I devoured (pardon the pun) this book increased as the storytelling was elevated in fluidity and style. The last few, “Lethe”, “The Bright Idea Room” and “Satan’s Spies” were particular favourites of mine. Earlier stories showcased how narration is refined and re-defined, such as “Bedfellows” versus “Belligamy” and “The Red Constellation”; the latter two offering a sinister exploration of society, its dangers and human nature’s response.
Fiction’s approach is fascinating and unique but undoubtedly the collection may be for an acquired taste; abstract stories are not for everyone but I promise most in the collection are visceral and thought-provoking tales.
Pages from the Pizza Crows is certainly worth a read - I encourage you to take the plunge into the weird and the wonderful.
prophit718's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? N/A
4.25
ijustkindalikebooks's review against another edition
4.0
I was fortunate enough to be sent a link to this book and able to give it a listen thanks to the author and I'm glad I got to give the book a chance.
From beginning to end this author introduces short stories that are surreal, but altogether cynically realistic as we delve into the worlds of incredibly human characters, no matter what the situation - especially situations with half horse/half unicorns, a particular story highlight of this book for me where we see those well formed, cynical characters this book provides.
I really appreciate the unique tales and bizarre situations these characters are led into, leading to tales I've never even thought of, this author's imagination ran wild in this collection and it sure is one crazy ride from story to story within this book, with people fighting over their spouses and trying to keep away from their also cursed ex's, this book is funny and dark in some of the most incredible ways.
A very odd but interesting collection, it is everything it sets out to be and more.
From beginning to end this author introduces short stories that are surreal, but altogether cynically realistic as we delve into the worlds of incredibly human characters, no matter what the situation - especially situations with half horse/half unicorns, a particular story highlight of this book for me where we see those well formed, cynical characters this book provides.
I really appreciate the unique tales and bizarre situations these characters are led into, leading to tales I've never even thought of, this author's imagination ran wild in this collection and it sure is one crazy ride from story to story within this book, with people fighting over their spouses and trying to keep away from their also cursed ex's, this book is funny and dark in some of the most incredible ways.
A very odd but interesting collection, it is everything it sets out to be and more.
booksthatburn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
5.0
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Pages from the Pizza Crows is a collection with a framing device so good and weird that I'd be hard pressed to say whether the frame or the stories inside were my favorite. There are several that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
I want more stories like this, ones which are unafraid to have endings that aren’t always great for the protagonists but also aren’t trying to be cruel. Not to say that they never turn out well, but they don’t turn out in a way anyone would ask for beforehand. They don’t rely on twists, precisely, but most of them have a line or two in the last page which reframes or expands the narrative without taking away anything from the story. An excellent read, one that I think will stay with me.
Pages from the Pizza Crows is a collection with a framing device so good and weird that I'd be hard pressed to say whether the frame or the stories inside were my favorite. There are several that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
I want more stories like this, ones which are unafraid to have endings that aren’t always great for the protagonists but also aren’t trying to be cruel. Not to say that they never turn out well, but they don’t turn out in a way anyone would ask for beforehand. They don’t rely on twists, precisely, but most of them have a line or two in the last page which reframes or expands the narrative without taking away anything from the story. An excellent read, one that I think will stay with me.
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