jessgock's review against another edition
2.0
I read this shortly after reading and adoring Gray's short-story collection [b:Unlikely Stories Mostly|980540|Unlikely Stories, Mostly|Alasdair Gray|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179968989s/980540.jpg|965429]. The Ends of Our Tethers was published much more recently, and I really hope all of his writing hasn't gone down the tubes as much as this collection indicates, because this book is hardly worth mentioning. There were a couple of decent stories and a lot of really uninteresting ones. Definitely NOT the place to start if you want to read some Alasdair Gray.
greeniezona's review against another edition
4.0
This little book is one of my favorite finds ever in the used book section at Schulers. I was expecting to find no Alasdair Gray. I was just looking to feel superior or deprived, I suppose, but instead I found two books! Now I know I've mentioned that the short story is not my favorite format, but I needed a short story collection for the book bingo challenge at work, and Alasdair Gray should certainly make it more interesting.
For the most part (excepting the last story), this is Gray separated from all his big speculative fiction concepts. There are no portals to other worlds here, no women reanimated from spare parts. Aside from that, they remain true to the themes of Gray's work -- tortured (but usually well-meaning) relationships between men and women, class and politics, art's place in the world...
It's a wonderful little book. Some of the stories are quite strange, yes, full of outsiders and holders of unpopular opinions. Although each story features someone at the end of their tether in some way, for the most part these are people struggling to make the best of whatever the situation they are in. Most of them find a kind of peace, even if it is a sad peace.
Finally, I love the object of the book itself. Its strange little illustrations and the non-standard blocking of the stories. You will not confuse this book for any other book.
For the most part (excepting the last story), this is Gray separated from all his big speculative fiction concepts. There are no portals to other worlds here, no women reanimated from spare parts. Aside from that, they remain true to the themes of Gray's work -- tortured (but usually well-meaning) relationships between men and women, class and politics, art's place in the world...
It's a wonderful little book. Some of the stories are quite strange, yes, full of outsiders and holders of unpopular opinions. Although each story features someone at the end of their tether in some way, for the most part these are people struggling to make the best of whatever the situation they are in. Most of them find a kind of peace, even if it is a sad peace.
Finally, I love the object of the book itself. Its strange little illustrations and the non-standard blocking of the stories. You will not confuse this book for any other book.
bigcheese's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not sure if it was vividly brought to my own mind but the stories in ‘Ends of Our Tethers’ entertained and just felt lovely. After the first ten or fifteen pages of ‘No Bluebeard’ I was certain that this was going to be a perfect collection of short stories up until yesterday. It just lost its magic. If I had of stopped for four hours or so and just read the thing into the A.M.s then it would’ve retained that magic and secured me rating it 5 on this sorry platform Goodreads. Oh well at least I got some of the magic and had it through ‘Aiblins.’ Those poems of his are very good much much much stronger than most people who think they can write poems. I saved and read ‘No Bluebeard’ to finish (in mild amusement,) followed by the critic fuel. Gray is a great writer, I’ve only read one of his novels but it was a long one, a masterpiece, and lead me to some short story books and of the kind which I haven’t read since Paul Jennings and R.L. Stine days. Bravi.
kjfalk's review
4.0
I always really enjoy his writing - it's like nothing else I've read. I can't really say anything more intelligent than that. Also, I like the fact that he oversees the design of his books, down to the typesetting, and I believe he does the illustrations (!) as well.
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