Reviews

Furies: The Virago Book of Wild Writing by Kamila Shamsie, Caroline O'Donoghue, Helen Oyeyemi, Emma Donoghue, Kirsty Logan, CN Lester, Linda Grant, Ali Smith, Claire Kohda, Margaret Atwood, Chibundu Onuzo, Susie Boyt, Rachel Seiffert, Stella Duffy

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lettimeread's review against another edition

3.0

Quite a mixed bag. I found some of the stories to be beautifully written and engaging whilst others seemed to drag on (despite being a short story lmao)
My favorites were definitely Virago and Wench!!

dipshi's review against another edition

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3.75

Siren-5⭐
Virago-3⭐
Churail-4⭐
Termagant-4⭐
Wench-2.5⭐
Hussy-2.5⭐
Harridan-3.5⭐
Warrior-4⭐
Banshee-4.5⭐
She devil-4⭐
Muckracker-4.5⭐
Spitfire-3.75⭐
Fury- 4⭐
Tygress-3⭐
Dragon-3⭐

zoylicious's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

tinator's review against another edition

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4.75

Beautiful stories about resistance, fight, life and womanhood. A truly enjoyable read that makes you see the perspectiv of so many women.

mollymoynott's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

erin69's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

m_papaya's review against another edition

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4.75

I liked this collection so much! There was a wide variety in approaches to the common topic, narrative style, and scope, and I really enjoyed that! The best of the collection are just what I think a short story should be: carefully constructed, deceptively focused, and delivering an afterimage strong enough to leave you thinking about it for days afterwards.

I had to pace myself because some of these stories are heavy, but reading this collection is well worth the time required! Despite the extensive content warnings listed, the authors care of their readers. These stories are not trauma porn. Not all of them were as memorable as the others (and in some I didn't arrive with the author at the same conclusions), but it was always an interesting ride.

I also felt the editor did a wonderful job ordering the stories, beginning with a kind of blustery, goofy Margaret Atwood piece (a goofy Margaret Atwood piece?!) and ending with a story that asks what if there was a tooth fairy mentor type for people experiencing menopause, but it was a dragon instead? There's magical realism. There's religious trauma. And all over there are women who are triumphant and tired and hopeful and angry and curious and queer and trying-their-best and living together and arguing and taking care of each other. One of my favorite stories is a historical fiction piece that honors one of the first recorded cases of a trans man (mostly) permitted to live his life despite the interference of prejudiced court systems.

Ramble over, but this one's a keeper, and I'm likely to come back!

Content Warnings