ruthbeadle's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annlin_frankie's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kiramke's review
2.0
I read one of these stories in an earlier journal and was intrigued by the swerve. I have respect for this writing and think that earlier story and a few others are quite good. The rest I can do without. I always expect a range of reaction from myself for short story collections, so I don't mind weak pieces. I rate based on my favorites and how I react to the tone and throughline. In this case I found it depressing in a way that didn't resonate with me.
DNF/skipped around
DNF/skipped around
jaanasingh's review
3.0
HIT OR MISS! sporadically witty, at times pretentious... penultimate story gave me anxiety.
larkspire's review
3.0
I generally like flash fiction, so I was expecting to (or at least hoping I'd) disagree with the bulk of the reviews here. Instead I find myself agreeing - Unferth's longer stories are the stronger ones. That isn't to say that I can fault her, really; she's a very strong writer. It's just that some stories didn't hit the mark with me. Sometimes I didn't really get it, sometimes I thought it was a bit shallow (so I probably didn't get it), sometimes the characters I spent barely a paragraph with annoyed me to distraction. One time that was combined with being too concerned for the dog to have enjoyed it even if I'd liked the characters.
Based on the descriptions alone I'd expected to like "Voltaire Night" the least, but it ended up being one of my favourites. "Wait Till You See Me Dance" and "The First Full Thought of Her Life" were also highlights. I won't be tempted to re-read most of the flash stories here, but I'd definitely return to these three.
Based on the descriptions alone I'd expected to like "Voltaire Night" the least, but it ended up being one of my favourites. "Wait Till You See Me Dance" and "The First Full Thought of Her Life" were also highlights. I won't be tempted to re-read most of the flash stories here, but I'd definitely return to these three.
__apf__'s review
3.0
Wait Till You See Me Dance is a collection of stories about broken, neurotic people. Unferth paints scenes and characters with a blurry watercolor brush. Her narration is full of vague dark shapes, heightened reality, and raw emotion. The very best stories are four stars: they land a punch, they stick with you, and I'm glad to have read them. I particularly liked "Voltaire Night," "Stay Where You Are," and "The First Full Thought of Her Life." However, the micro-stories that make up the bulk of the novel feel repetitive and forgettable.
alexaileen's review
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0