jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
2.0
I used to avoid short story collections like the plague until I discovered a fondness for tales that are tinged with weirdness, especially those penned by Karen Russell. Judging from the description, I predicted that this book would be right up my alley, but ended up crushingly disappointed. Although a couple of the concepts here are intriguing, most of the stories have no defined structure and abruptly start and end with no real point. Many of the tales also drag on far too long, which made finishing feel like a slog. The title is far and away the best part of this collection.
Thanks to the First to Read program for providing me with an ARC of this title.
Thanks to the First to Read program for providing me with an ARC of this title.
schung13's review against another edition
1.0
This book was terrible. Most jarring for me was the sexism of the author, which made it impossible to enjoy the book. I am hard pressed to think of a good excuse to describe a middle aged woman's breasts as "runny eggs" - gah that entire story (#2) was just gross man being gross. It turned me off to the rest of the book.
driedfrogpills's review against another edition
3.0
I think this collection falls into a classic case of trying too hard.
The writing is decent, each of the stories are pretty different and seamlessly blend the fantastical with the real world but for me they're missing that thing that grabs you and doesn't let go. Which is sad because some of the premises/plots seemed really cool and original when I was reading about them (especially the titular "The Sea Beast Takes a Lover") but in actually reading them I felt let down by each one. Each one felt like Andreasen was trying too hard to be clever or witty or innovative to really let the cleverness stand for itself.
It's not that these short stories are bad; they're just not as good as I had hoped they would be. That said, if you enjoy the slightly darker/twisted side of magical realism you may like these stories more than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-ARC in exchange for an unbiased review!
The writing is decent, each of the stories are pretty different and seamlessly blend the fantastical with the real world but for me they're missing that thing that grabs you and doesn't let go. Which is sad because some of the premises/plots seemed really cool and original when I was reading about them (especially the titular "The Sea Beast Takes a Lover") but in actually reading them I felt let down by each one. Each one felt like Andreasen was trying too hard to be clever or witty or innovative to really let the cleverness stand for itself.
It's not that these short stories are bad; they're just not as good as I had hoped they would be. That said, if you enjoy the slightly darker/twisted side of magical realism you may like these stories more than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-ARC in exchange for an unbiased review!
tonythep's review against another edition
4.0
Masterfully combining otherworldly magic and mystery with ordinary awkwardness and unease, Andreasen tells us tales of fathers and sons, husbands and wives, sea beasts and lovers as if they were our own fantastic lives. While the exquisite absurdity of these stories takes focus, don't let that distract you from the beautifully wrought characters and their strange, heartbroken lives.
I do have one issue with the book: Jenny is probably one of my favorite stories, but the title character’s response to the assault is troubling, and the characterization of her attacker as some sort of gentle kindred soul even more so. Did I miss the point Andreasen is trying to make?
I do have one issue with the book: Jenny is probably one of my favorite stories, but the title character’s response to the assault is troubling, and the characterization of her attacker as some sort of gentle kindred soul even more so. Did I miss the point Andreasen is trying to make?
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
1.0
HALLELUJAH IT’S OVER. This is probably the worst story collection I’ve ever read. I hated every story (although some more than most) and the writing felt extremely pretentious. None of the stories failed to rub me the wrong way in some bit. Ugh.
Thank goodness I listened to the audio or I never would’ve gotten through it.
Thank goodness I listened to the audio or I never would’ve gotten through it.
nightlight_reader's review against another edition
2.0
The three I enjoyed: Saints in the Parlor, Rite of Baptism, and Blunderbuss. Otherwise, a pretty unkind hand towards women in these stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, and Vomit
gondorgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
One of the best single author short story collections I've ever read.
olivethebooks's review against another edition
4.0
It was bizarre and quirky and strange and I loved every second of it. There were a handful of stories I really wish had been novel length.
kellylynnthomas's review against another edition
4.0
Read my full review of this book over on The Ploughshares Blog!
The Sea Beast Takes a Lover is the debut short story collection from Michael Andreasen. Through a mix of absurdism, hyperbole, science fiction, history, and fantasy, the author draws a map of washed-up American dreams and fears. His stories chart the plains of abandonment, the futility of love, and vague hopes that never solidify. From the titular lonely sea monster to the King of Retired Amusements to time-traveling third graders, Andreasen’s characters explore this map of disappointment and hardship, learning again and again what we already know but are too afraid to speak aloud: Everything comes to an end. Everything.
Read my full review of this book over on The Ploughshares Blog!
The Sea Beast Takes a Lover is the debut short story collection from Michael Andreasen. Through a mix of absurdism, hyperbole, science fiction, history, and fantasy, the author draws a map of washed-up American dreams and fears. His stories chart the plains of abandonment, the futility of love, and vague hopes that never solidify. From the titular lonely sea monster to the King of Retired Amusements to time-traveling third graders, Andreasen’s characters explore this map of disappointment and hardship, learning again and again what we already know but are too afraid to speak aloud: Everything comes to an end. Everything.
Read my full review of this book over on The Ploughshares Blog!
tiernanhunter's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0