Reviews

Bad Behavior: Stories by Mary Gaitskill

brookexwest's review against another edition

5.0

‘On days when the apartment air was heavy and stifling as a swamp, noises and smells came floating up it on clouds of heat, lyrical blends of voice and radio scraps, drifting arguments and amorous sighs, the fried shadow of someone’s dinner, a faded microcosm that lilted into their apartment and related them to everyone else in the building.’

So much more beautiful than I was expecting. Gaitskill’s rich, evocative, and romantic language is beyond impressive and immersive. Of course, some stories are more compelling than others, but overall this is a beautiful and remarkable collection of work. One of my new favourites.

readingwithgoose's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

willowt's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

eliajor's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse

sineofmadness's review against another edition

dark lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

als_adventures's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really liked this. A collection of short stories about the need for power, sex, connection, and intimacy. As hard as the characters tried, there was often something lacking - a sense of distance in the human relationship. A reflection of the way the capitalist world works - sex is a transaction. Love is misunderstood. Characters cant understand what they want. Very frank and brutal and honest about life. It has left me feeling somewhat empty. Empty in a reflective sort of way. Some really beautiful lines in here - one to read with a pencil.

valvera4's review against another edition

meh

deepfreezebatman's review against another edition

4.0

My Valentine's Day read this year. Seemed appropriate <3

rosiedouce's review against another edition

dark

3.5

joshtenet's review against another edition

4.0

Daisy's Valentine: ⭐⭐⭐
A Romantic Weekend: ⭐⭐⭐
Something Nice: ⭐⭐⭐
An Affair, Edited: ⭐⭐
Connection: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trying to Be: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Secretary: ⭐⭐⭐
Other Factors: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heaven: ⭐⭐⭐⭐