gr8reader's review
3.0
Have had this book for a long time.....I'm a fan of Orringer, but not a bit fan of short stories. Some of the stories I was glad they were over, others, I wish they'd been a full book.
taleahbailey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
eschewed's review against another edition
4.0
i borrowed this from the library and encountered it at a book sale for cheap around the same time. passed on it at the sale because i had borrowed but not read it yet, which i immediately regretted once i finished the book. i think this was the book that really kickstarted my love for quiet, contemporary short story collections with female-driven narratives.
ajsterkel's review against another edition
4.0
These stories are bleak and oddly fascinating. Have you ever read a plot twist that horrified you so much that you set the book down and backed away slowly? Yeah, that feeling sums up these stories! They’re all coming-of-age tales about girls or young women. The main characters either do something horrible or have something horrible happen to them. The stories are beautifully written and surprising. They come together in ways I didn’t see coming. I didn’t always know how the author would tie the disparate themes and plot threads together, but almost all of the stories ended perfectly.
I will definitely reread this collection. I think it’s the kind of book you can read a dozen times and notice something new with each reread. The characters are complicated; the plots are intricate. My only complaint is that the main characters are too similar. They’re morally gray, depressed, slightly naïve, often Jewish young women. By the end of the book, they all felt like the same person to me. Still, it’s an excellent collection. If you can handle bleak, shocking stories, I recommend it.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
I will definitely reread this collection. I think it’s the kind of book you can read a dozen times and notice something new with each reread. The characters are complicated; the plots are intricate. My only complaint is that the main characters are too similar. They’re morally gray, depressed, slightly naïve, often Jewish young women. By the end of the book, they all felt like the same person to me. Still, it’s an excellent collection. If you can handle bleak, shocking stories, I recommend it.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
lyndsayreads's review against another edition
3.0
2.75/5 stars
I was just craving short stories for some reason and since this was the oldest unread collection on my shelf, I decided to give it a go. I’ve only ever heard good things about these stories. In fact, I’ve seen many people say that this is their favorite short short collection. So I went in with some higher expectations. And honestly, I do not understand why this is so beloved.
With each story that I read, I kept asking myself “Am I just too stupid to understand what the point is?” But actually, I’m not sure if there was a point at all. Yes, some of the stories did have a clear point and I totally understood what was happening. But this just felt like a collection of stories about really annoying teenagers, moms dying of cancer, and boys who think sexual assault is casual and funny. And the author does not explore any of these issues with any kind of nuance. It felt like these things were thrown in for shock value and to make the stories somehow “deeper.”
I was severely disappointed with this reading experience. There were a couple of standouts in terms of stories that I actually liked. But overall, this collection left me incredibly frustrated and feeling like I wasted my time.
As I read the stories, I wrote little mini individual reviews so I thought I’d share those as well.
Pilgrims (2 stars): To be honest, I’m not really sure what the point of this story was. It’s about a family who go to a communal Thanksgiving because their mother is dying from cancer and I guess they are seeking alternative medicine for her? Anyway, while they are there, the two kids “befriend” the children of all the other people present and things sort of spiral from there. The whole time I was reading it, I was thinking “Why are these parents so unaware?” and also “What the hell is wrong with these kids?” It was not an enjoyable story and it makes me a little nervous to continue on with the collection.
When She Is Old and I Am Famous (3.5 stars): I liked this story vastly more than the first one in the collection. This one is about two cousins and their very complicated relationship. But it’s also about art and understanding life and yourself. I felt like I definitely got more from this one, I definitely understood it better than the first story. But I’m still not sure how I’m going to feel about the collection overall. I’m not sure that this author knows how to have conversations about difficult topics in any kind of interesting or nuanced way. And while I did enjoy this story, it felt like it was full of stereotypes that don’t sit right with me.
The Isabel Fish (4.5 stars): This is the story that inspired the title of the collection as a whole and definitely my favorite story in the collection so far. This one is all about survivor’s guilt and the complex nature of sibling relationships. But it’s also about overcoming anxiety and truly understanding your place in the world. I thought this story had a lot of really interesting things to say and I would honestly read a whole book about these characters.
Note to Sixth-Grade Self (3 stars): Another story that is just not a fave. This one was shorter, which I appreciated. It’s exactly what it says in the title and it really explores how your middle school years can absolutely be the worst but that the point is to get through to the really great stuff later. I just think 12 year old girls are bitches and I didn’t care to read about them.
The Smoothest Way is Full of Stones (4 stars): I’m starting to see the central themes of this collection. This story is all about a young girl coming of age and learning about sexuality. She’s also grappling with her faith and she and her family try to overcome the loss of her baby brother. I thought the main character’s voice was strong in this one and this is another story that I’d read a whole book about these characters and this situation.The 3rd story is still my favorite but this is definitely a close second. I just wish that a lot of these stories didn’t put girls down for coming into their own and seeking to understand their own bodies.
Care (2 stars): I just think I don’t understand a lot of these stories. Or at least, I don’t get what the point of this story was. It’s about a girl who is taking care of her niece while her sister is in a meeting. But the girl can only think about doing drugs and is kinda incredibly irresponsible. I don’t know, I just … don’t understand. Only a few stories left in the collection and I’m starting to think this is just not going to be for me.
Stars of Motown Shining Bright (3 stars): I’m starting to understand that short stories that don’t have some kind of connecting thread throughout just aren’t really for me. This is another story where a girl is put down for trying to understand her own sexuality. It’s also about a boy who is the absolute worst and I don’t want to read about it anymore. It feels a little romanticized in a really gross way and I’m just not here for it. I did appreciate that the author could’ve gone in an incredibly obvious direction with this one and she chose not to, and I do respect that.
What We Save (2 stars): It’s the blatant sexual assault and really gross language for me with this one. Oh also another mom dying of cancer. Like, can this author write about any other topics or themes? All of these stories are hitting the same beats with the same types of characters and these topics are not being explored in any kind of interesting way. I truly think it’s the shock value and nothing else. Like, come on.
Stations of the Cross (1 star): Nope.
I was just craving short stories for some reason and since this was the oldest unread collection on my shelf, I decided to give it a go. I’ve only ever heard good things about these stories. In fact, I’ve seen many people say that this is their favorite short short collection. So I went in with some higher expectations. And honestly, I do not understand why this is so beloved.
With each story that I read, I kept asking myself “Am I just too stupid to understand what the point is?” But actually, I’m not sure if there was a point at all. Yes, some of the stories did have a clear point and I totally understood what was happening. But this just felt like a collection of stories about really annoying teenagers, moms dying of cancer, and boys who think sexual assault is casual and funny. And the author does not explore any of these issues with any kind of nuance. It felt like these things were thrown in for shock value and to make the stories somehow “deeper.”
I was severely disappointed with this reading experience. There were a couple of standouts in terms of stories that I actually liked. But overall, this collection left me incredibly frustrated and feeling like I wasted my time.
As I read the stories, I wrote little mini individual reviews so I thought I’d share those as well.
Pilgrims (2 stars): To be honest, I’m not really sure what the point of this story was. It’s about a family who go to a communal Thanksgiving because their mother is dying from cancer and I guess they are seeking alternative medicine for her? Anyway, while they are there, the two kids “befriend” the children of all the other people present and things sort of spiral from there. The whole time I was reading it, I was thinking “Why are these parents so unaware?” and also “What the hell is wrong with these kids?” It was not an enjoyable story and it makes me a little nervous to continue on with the collection.
When She Is Old and I Am Famous (3.5 stars): I liked this story vastly more than the first one in the collection. This one is about two cousins and their very complicated relationship. But it’s also about art and understanding life and yourself. I felt like I definitely got more from this one, I definitely understood it better than the first story. But I’m still not sure how I’m going to feel about the collection overall. I’m not sure that this author knows how to have conversations about difficult topics in any kind of interesting or nuanced way. And while I did enjoy this story, it felt like it was full of stereotypes that don’t sit right with me.
The Isabel Fish (4.5 stars): This is the story that inspired the title of the collection as a whole and definitely my favorite story in the collection so far. This one is all about survivor’s guilt and the complex nature of sibling relationships. But it’s also about overcoming anxiety and truly understanding your place in the world. I thought this story had a lot of really interesting things to say and I would honestly read a whole book about these characters.
Note to Sixth-Grade Self (3 stars): Another story that is just not a fave. This one was shorter, which I appreciated. It’s exactly what it says in the title and it really explores how your middle school years can absolutely be the worst but that the point is to get through to the really great stuff later. I just think 12 year old girls are bitches and I didn’t care to read about them.
The Smoothest Way is Full of Stones (4 stars): I’m starting to see the central themes of this collection. This story is all about a young girl coming of age and learning about sexuality. She’s also grappling with her faith and she and her family try to overcome the loss of her baby brother. I thought the main character’s voice was strong in this one and this is another story that I’d read a whole book about these characters and this situation.The 3rd story is still my favorite but this is definitely a close second. I just wish that a lot of these stories didn’t put girls down for coming into their own and seeking to understand their own bodies.
Care (2 stars): I just think I don’t understand a lot of these stories. Or at least, I don’t get what the point of this story was. It’s about a girl who is taking care of her niece while her sister is in a meeting. But the girl can only think about doing drugs and is kinda incredibly irresponsible. I don’t know, I just … don’t understand. Only a few stories left in the collection and I’m starting to think this is just not going to be for me.
Stars of Motown Shining Bright (3 stars): I’m starting to understand that short stories that don’t have some kind of connecting thread throughout just aren’t really for me. This is another story where a girl is put down for trying to understand her own sexuality. It’s also about a boy who is the absolute worst and I don’t want to read about it anymore. It feels a little romanticized in a really gross way and I’m just not here for it. I did appreciate that the author could’ve gone in an incredibly obvious direction with this one and she chose not to, and I do respect that.
What We Save (2 stars): It’s the blatant sexual assault and really gross language for me with this one. Oh also another mom dying of cancer. Like, can this author write about any other topics or themes? All of these stories are hitting the same beats with the same types of characters and these topics are not being explored in any kind of interesting way. I truly think it’s the shock value and nothing else. Like, come on.
Stations of the Cross (1 star): Nope.
modernfalafel's review
5.0
One of the best books I've ever read. Fast paced, strong characters, wonderful endings.
lynnski's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. In each of these stories a young tween or teen has an obstacle to face and try to overcome. Most are quite dysfunctional. Some make good choices and others not so much. Overall I thought it was a good book, but I just couldn't round it up to a 4. I can't explain why - but something is holding me back.
desirosie's review
3.0
Lovely collection of short stories. Many of them were situated in my "era" and I enjoyed that as well. I don't read short stories often enough, but whenever I do, I think, I should read more of these.
veelaughtland's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
This to me was a near perfect short story collection, and that is a lot coming from me because I usually find short story collections a mixed bag - particularly when the stories are by an author I've never read before. I am so glad I picked up this collection by Julie Orringer, as not only is it a beautiful book but I also enjoyed almost every story in it.
The stories in this collection are told from the point of view of young girls or young women, and they touch on a range of subjects including loss of virginity, religion, personal appearance, drug addiction, and death. The stories aren't uplifting, but they stayed with me - even the shorter stories where not much happened, I was still left pondering the significance of the characters' actions.
My personal favourites from this collection were:
Note to Sixth-Grade Self - A story of bullying and loneliness, that has an interesting present tense narration but seems to reflect on past events, and felt incredibly bittersweet upon finishing.
What We Save - A girl deals with the complex emotions she feels during a trip to Disneyland with her dying mother, and their day with her childhood sweetheart's family.
Pilgrims - A quite frankly messed up tale of children allowed to run amok even amongst their parents, with a dark twist and a disturbing atmosphere left behind.
I would highly recommend this short story collection to anyone, but particularly to those who are interested in coming-of-age tales and stories about young people having to take on the emotions and responsibilities of much older people.
This to me was a near perfect short story collection, and that is a lot coming from me because I usually find short story collections a mixed bag - particularly when the stories are by an author I've never read before. I am so glad I picked up this collection by Julie Orringer, as not only is it a beautiful book but I also enjoyed almost every story in it.
The stories in this collection are told from the point of view of young girls or young women, and they touch on a range of subjects including loss of virginity, religion, personal appearance, drug addiction, and death. The stories aren't uplifting, but they stayed with me - even the shorter stories where not much happened, I was still left pondering the significance of the characters' actions.
My personal favourites from this collection were:
Note to Sixth-Grade Self - A story of bullying and loneliness, that has an interesting present tense narration but seems to reflect on past events, and felt incredibly bittersweet upon finishing.
What We Save - A girl deals with the complex emotions she feels during a trip to Disneyland with her dying mother, and their day with her childhood sweetheart's family.
Pilgrims - A quite frankly messed up tale of children allowed to run amok even amongst their parents, with a dark twist and a disturbing atmosphere left behind.
I would highly recommend this short story collection to anyone, but particularly to those who are interested in coming-of-age tales and stories about young people having to take on the emotions and responsibilities of much older people.