justjoel's review against another edition
4.0
I received my copy of Horror Stories via Goodreads giveaway, which has no effect on my review. I would, however, like to take a moment to thank Random House, who graciously (and speedily) replaced my lost-in-transit copy when notified that it never reached its intended destination.
Despite the title, Horror Stories isn't a collection of macabre novellas. It serves as a memoir to Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Liz Phair. The title comes from Phair's belief that there can be uncomfortable moments in life that guide us into being the person we truly are, and this book collects eighteen (though this ARC was missing a couple) of the touchstone moments from her own life.
I've long been a fan of Phair's, and some of these vignettes are as hard-hitting as any of her in-your-face, tell-it-like-it-is lyrics. But there are others that feel like she's reaching a bit, perhaps adding descriptive bits to memory to make it seem...more. And that leaves certain chapters feeling more manufactured than any of her pop-leaning songs.
Just as songs on an album aren't necessarily presented in chronological order of when they were written or recorded, neither are the chapters in chronological order. I think it would perhaps have felt more like a memoir had the chapters followed a more linear approach. As it is, these feel like interconnected scenes or stories told in a manner not unlike that of a Tarantino film.
If you are able to view the chapter presentation as similar to songs on an album, I think you will enjoy the book more. If you are looking for a linear voyage of Phair's trek toward success, this isn't it. But it does provide the touchstones that she has deemed important to share: many of them dealing with her failures rather than successes.
Long-time fans should enjoy this look into the inner thoughts of this under-appreciated artist.
Despite the title, Horror Stories isn't a collection of macabre novellas. It serves as a memoir to Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Liz Phair. The title comes from Phair's belief that there can be uncomfortable moments in life that guide us into being the person we truly are, and this book collects eighteen (though this ARC was missing a couple) of the touchstone moments from her own life.
I've long been a fan of Phair's, and some of these vignettes are as hard-hitting as any of her in-your-face, tell-it-like-it-is lyrics. But there are others that feel like she's reaching a bit, perhaps adding descriptive bits to memory to make it seem...more. And that leaves certain chapters feeling more manufactured than any of her pop-leaning songs.
Just as songs on an album aren't necessarily presented in chronological order of when they were written or recorded, neither are the chapters in chronological order. I think it would perhaps have felt more like a memoir had the chapters followed a more linear approach. As it is, these feel like interconnected scenes or stories told in a manner not unlike that of a Tarantino film.
If you are able to view the chapter presentation as similar to songs on an album, I think you will enjoy the book more. If you are looking for a linear voyage of Phair's trek toward success, this isn't it. But it does provide the touchstones that she has deemed important to share: many of them dealing with her failures rather than successes.
Long-time fans should enjoy this look into the inner thoughts of this under-appreciated artist.
theyellowbrickreader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Cursing
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
2.0
I grew up listening to Liz Phair, and I really wanted to like this book.
But it was not my cup of tea, while I appreciate the candor in her stories, they were very dramatic. And I think much more dramatic then they had to be, I was turned off when she described a tennis game with an ex boyfriend and when she realized he was a much better tennis player than her she burst into tears and was inconsolable,
really?!
While I'm sure there is more to that story than just what was floating on the surface, it did not make me any more empathetic towards her.
The feeling that I got from these stories was that these were all horrifying experiences for her, and I'm sure many of them were, but she hams it up a lot. Almost like she assumed we would all be shocked that all this happened to her... but in reality it's not shocking, it's just stuff that happens.
I hate assuming how an author feels when writing anything, and I'm sure this was a very cathartic experience for her, writing it all out.
But it read a lot like the ramblings of a drama queen.
But it was not my cup of tea, while I appreciate the candor in her stories, they were very dramatic. And I think much more dramatic then they had to be, I was turned off when she described a tennis game with an ex boyfriend and when she realized he was a much better tennis player than her she burst into tears and was inconsolable,
really?!
While I'm sure there is more to that story than just what was floating on the surface, it did not make me any more empathetic towards her.
The feeling that I got from these stories was that these were all horrifying experiences for her, and I'm sure many of them were, but she hams it up a lot. Almost like she assumed we would all be shocked that all this happened to her... but in reality it's not shocking, it's just stuff that happens.
I hate assuming how an author feels when writing anything, and I'm sure this was a very cathartic experience for her, writing it all out.
But it read a lot like the ramblings of a drama queen.
offbalance80's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, the trend of selected anecdotes in a personality's life over a full-scale rendering over every moment is what Phair went for in this book, but she is unrelenting in what she reveals, just the same. While the first essay is a bit off of the wall (the phrase "thought experiment" is guaranteed to set my eyes rolling) those that follow are much stronger, as she delves into affairs and her struggles to be a complete human and artist. Definitely worth a look.
delicatewatkins's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant! I love love LOVE the short story/essay format for memoirs. I was able to read about the most significant events in Liz's life. Sometimes memoirs can be boring because they include the minutiae of the subject's entire life and it isn't always interesting. This one's all killer, no filler. You should read it!
mokey4's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this memoir, except for the chapter on the me too movement. Liz Phair blathers on without actually saying much of anything, she hems and haws and contradicts herself. I understand that she doesn't want to dish salacious details or name names, but philosophizing when she doesn't have a story or even a point is not her strength.
The other chapters, especially about her childhood and her relationships, are gold. I appreciate that she doesn't stick to stories that paint her in a flattering light.
The other chapters, especially about her childhood and her relationships, are gold. I appreciate that she doesn't stick to stories that paint her in a flattering light.