cristinamirzoi's review
5.0
I am in awe of this collection. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but since I often prefer style over plot, in situations where it delivers a deeper experience, such as a feeling or an idea that will stay with me, then I will embrace it completely. Sonya Taaffe is both a poet and a classical studies scholar and it shows. Her style is simply gorgeous; well balanced between literary and cosmopolitan. I loved the soft tones, the vivid imagery - I could almost feel the sea smell and the chilly breeze. Each word seems to fall exactly where it was always meant to; even when quotes were inserted, it flowed so naturally; it didn’t feel like distinct authors. You need time to take it all in, so I welcomed a pause between each story. Most of them are odd, unsettling, melancholic, sad and surprisingly tender. They touch upon themes such as death, grief, yearning, or tragic love. We follow these tragic characters and stumble upon haunting creatures such as monsters, ghosts, angels, dybbuks and golems. Some stories are actually heavily imbued with Ashkenazi Jewish folklore, one of my favourites, The Dybbuk in Love, is simultaneously romantic and creepy. Also, most have LGBTQ+ representation.
It’s very difficult to place into a certain category. I would recommend for weird fiction readers who enjoy surreal, unsettling and sensual writing.
It’s very difficult to place into a certain category. I would recommend for weird fiction readers who enjoy surreal, unsettling and sensual writing.
theartolater's review
4.0
A solid collection of short weird tales, some of which I really loved. "All Our Salt-Bottled Hearts" is especially a new Lovecrafty favorite.
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