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ahsatan82's review against another edition
2.0
Wasn't a fan of the writing style. Nothing really pulled me in and grabbed my attention. It was very short so I just struggled through to finish it.
delery's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i did this one as an audio book, and i think that really helped me enjoy what was being said more. the different narrators brought a lot to the different stories being told. at times this felt more like a poetry book, than one of short stories, but i really liked the rhythm and general messages in her stories. more sexual than i expected, but not in a bad way. the one that used the word fertile a lot, was a bit much for me. really enjoyed her daughter's opening section, along with the one about the uncle and very the last story. in general, i liked this more than i thought i would.
casebounder's review against another edition
2.0
This collection makes for a great snapshot of the 1960's from a WOC's POV. I think I wrongly expected a bit more bite, based on the title. But that's probably mostly to do with picking this up directly after The Fire Next Time. These engrossing stories have plenty to say about race, gender, infatuation, and love.
zellreads's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic commentary, feels as applicable in 2022 as it was in the 60s when these were written. So glad I picked this up - Collins' stories were vibrant, many-layered, and offered such interesting snapshots into the lives of her characters. I highly recommend this collection.
marmoo's review against another edition
5.0
These short stories pack a real wallop, as Kathleen Collins showcases a playwright’s skill for crafting a collage of different voices and characters.
dharper87's review against another edition
4.0
Actually upsetting to discover the work of Kathleen Collins and to think about all of the art we missed out on her being able to share.
amjammi's review against another edition
2.0
Many of these short story snippets felt more like sketches than fully-developed stories. Still thought provoking.
mikaelaw's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of stories is brilliant and haunting. Written in the 1960s, these stories vary in form and have a bit of a theatric quality. I can see Kathleen Collins’ influence on writers like Brit Bennet and Tayari Jones, both in subject matter and in tone. 4 stars
prettypious's review against another edition
5.0
This was a surprisingly good book! It’s full of short stories of various Black women growing up in I think the 70s. I was a bit apprehensive not knowing the author not directly interested in the title’s subject but it was full of good stories that were very well written and made you get caught up in the characters! Best book of short stories I’ve read in a while.