margaret_adams's review
I read both of Jess Row's short story collections ('Nobody Ever Gets Lost' and 'The Train to Lo Wu') back-to-back after having my hair blown back by "Sheep May Safely Graze," his Pushcart Prize winning story. After finishing both of Row's collections, I still think that one story was the best of all of them. If you only read one, read that one, tucked into this collection.
dilan11's review
dark
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
3.0
Interesting collection. Row does not hesitate to tackle topics that more "politically correct" writers wouldn't go near and I like that. There are a few stories ("The World in Flames", "The Call of Blood") that have strange unpredictable twists in the plot that I thought were overdone, almost as if we were in some type of blockbuster movie that needs to end dramatically. Best stories were "Nobody Ever Gets Lost" and "Sheep May Safely Graze" but all the stories had beautiful openings and drew me in.
On second reading, I would still give it 3 stars but I find I was less interested in the characters, less emotionally involved. I wonder if perhaps it is because not only are we now 20 years from 9/11 but we are facing so much moire catastrophe - an ever mutating virus that isolates us, climate changes that is worse and more rapid than we ever imagined, etc.
On second reading, I would still give it 3 stars but I find I was less interested in the characters, less emotionally involved. I wonder if perhaps it is because not only are we now 20 years from 9/11 but we are facing so much moire catastrophe - an ever mutating virus that isolates us, climate changes that is worse and more rapid than we ever imagined, etc.
karencarlson's review
5.0
Beautifully written, very intelligent. Detailed comments on each story (with possible spoilers) at A Just Recompense.
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