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scholarschism's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Bleak. Weirdly sexual throughout, like way more than I would have guessed. Complex representations of queer attraction but few people are actually gay? Some moments of interesting prose, but it was ultimately a chore to finish. I don’t think I will find myself looking back on these stories much, but maybe they’ll take on more interest in hindsight? I wonder if I just don’t “get it”… there were moments of resonance, but it overall felt mostly flat, to me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
cyb's review against another edition
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, and Pedophilia
northernblonde's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, and Pedophilia
seamoonstone's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can't say I enjoyed reading this book, but I think that might be intentional–it would be repulsive to say I relate specifically to these characters, but I can say I've perhaps felt just as uncomfortable and lost as these characters. The narrators, regardless of age, are all similarly naive and whimsical, often perfectly capturing that feeling of adolescence when you realize you truly don't know what's going on. This would be enjoyable, maybe even cathartic, except that many of these stories are sex obsessed in an uncomfortable, even perverse, way, implying that the only way to connect with other people is through sex, but the sex is always transactional and exploitative. The stories that are not explicitly sexual are akin to an odd coworker describing their dream in detail to you when you just want to drink your coffee in peace. In spite of all this, July is a talented writer, and the stories or moments that did not rely on taboo were beautiful and charming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest and Pedophilia
claired01's review against another edition
2.5
I really liked a few of these stories, The Swim Team, Mon Plaisir, and How to Tell Stories to Children. But most of them made me super uncomfortable. She managed to write about pedophilia in almost all of them I feel like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
rayannotates's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual harassment
sometimesireadsometimesidont's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Thus was a tough read. The content has topics that I usually stay away from as I prefer to read for enjoyment. The authors writing and my curiosity kept me reading. It the stories were longer I doubt I would have kept reading.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Stalking
kaidonpeterson's review against another edition
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
miranda july really is THAT BITCH
fav stories
- something that needs nothing
- i kiss a door
- making love in 2003
- ten true things
- mon plaisir
- how to tell stories to children
fav stories
- something that needs nothing
- i kiss a door
- making love in 2003
- ten true things
- mon plaisir
- how to tell stories to children
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
ahalleck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A collection of short stories. Most were beautiful and interesting and shocking. A few were dark and shocking. Many themes about mental illness, loneliness, and unusual characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia
pallasreads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
July is incredibly skilled at shaking your assumptions. As soon as you think you’ve gotten your feet under you in a particular world, she shakes it up in ways that are never impossible and almost always completely fitting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual content