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amjammi's review against another edition
2.0
With the modern cover I hadn't realized how old this collection is. Stories about sex are just not as provocative as they used to be.
charlotteklopfer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
5.0
offbalance80's review against another edition
3.0
After reading a review of this collection that called it "forgotten and essential," I was excited to get my hands on it. Diski is an engaging writer, and some of the most engaging stories (particularly Mt. Rushmore) are saved for the end. Not sure if she's one of the great lost treasures, but I'm certainly glad to have discovered her.
bookishbisexual's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Strong women characters. I even enjoyed the fairytale ones and I generally hate those.
mhewza's review against another edition
4.0
Matter of fact, feminist modern Brothers Grimm tales. If there could be a mix of realism and surrealism, this would be it. (Only one story is in fact a fairytale retelling - Rumplestiltskin.) If you like Julia Armfield’s Salt Slow and Alice Munro’s short stories, you’ll like The Vanishing Princess. Summaries/spoilers below:
The Vanishing Princess is about a princess in a tower who is disappeared when two men seduce each other through her (sort of).
Leaper follows a woman who almost witnesses a suicide. The woman falls into a tryst with the leaper’s lover.
My Brother Stanley is a ghost child.
Bath Time is fantastic. Any woman over 25 will enjoy the tale of the longing for a day long bath.
Housewife is a very original version of the stereotypical ‘bored housewife has an affair.’
Strictempo is about ballroom dancing in a mental health hospital.
Shit and Gold is a feminist appropriation of Rumplestiltskin.
Short Circuit is about a woman’s neuroses. Moral of the story: it’s easier to avoid pain than to worry about potential pain, but at what cost?
Wide Blue Yonder is about an anaemic woman whose life just happened without her having made any decisions on it. She floats into the ocean.
On The Existence of Mount Rushmore is flash fiction which explores the moment in which a teacher realises how her most unintelligent student’s mind works.
Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll is a sweet little vignette of a mother teaching her daughter how to roll and smoke a spliff.
The Old Princess imagines the fairytale princess to whom nothing happens - i.e. no prince rescues her - and therefore no one writes about her.
The Vanishing Princess is about a princess in a tower who is disappeared when two men seduce each other through her (sort of).
Leaper follows a woman who almost witnesses a suicide. The woman falls into a tryst with the leaper’s lover.
My Brother Stanley is a ghost child.
Bath Time is fantastic. Any woman over 25 will enjoy the tale of the longing for a day long bath.
Housewife is a very original version of the stereotypical ‘bored housewife has an affair.’
Strictempo is about ballroom dancing in a mental health hospital.
Shit and Gold is a feminist appropriation of Rumplestiltskin.
Short Circuit is about a woman’s neuroses. Moral of the story: it’s easier to avoid pain than to worry about potential pain, but at what cost?
Wide Blue Yonder is about an anaemic woman whose life just happened without her having made any decisions on it. She floats into the ocean.
On The Existence of Mount Rushmore is flash fiction which explores the moment in which a teacher realises how her most unintelligent student’s mind works.
Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll is a sweet little vignette of a mother teaching her daughter how to roll and smoke a spliff.
The Old Princess imagines the fairytale princess to whom nothing happens - i.e. no prince rescues her - and therefore no one writes about her.
novel_ideas's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
sandra94's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mispaintedlady's review against another edition
5.0
I can only say that this is one of the best short story collections focused on female characters that I have read in awhile. I usually don't like every story in a collection like this, but every story I love here.
I can't believe that I am only just now discovering this author.
I can't believe that I am only just now discovering this author.