yvwinter's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a struggle to read at times. "Snakes" and "The King of a Vast Empire" were my favourite stories; I would have loved it if they were longer. I liked "Virgins". I could have gone without "Harvest", "Someone Ought to Tell Her There's Nowhere to Go", and "Jellyfish". Undecided about the last two stories. Short story collections are usually my thing, but this one was disappointing.
shanaedidgood's review against another edition
4.0
An enlightening collection of short stories, I found Danielle Evans' Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self an interesting read. My favorite stories were Virgins, Harvest, Snakes, and Robert E. Lee Is Dead. These stories focused on adolescent characters and their trials. The other stories were intriguing, but I found none more interesting than Virgins or Robert E. Lee Is Dead. I was certain that Virgins was the best until I read Robert E. Lee..., but the characters are connected, the young girls seem to be from the same backgrounds and of the same mindsets, which might explain why I am torn between the two. One of the most shocking stories was The King of a Vast Empire...I really didn't understand the main character and his sister until the very end of the story, which is what makes short stories so great. I have to say that I think Evans' best stories involved young girls. The ones involving older characters were not as interesting - this does not mean that they are not worth reading. The language is not as beautiful and whimsical as I would like - Evans does a great job at depicting her scenes and her focus on character development is amazing. I definitely recommend this novel to everyone, though I'm certain that it probably comes off as chick lit. Nonetheless, I'm not telling you to go out there and buy it, but I am telling you that you will be very disappointed if you do not at least pick this one up at the library.
Evans really makes me want to go to American University and sit in one of her classes. If she writes so beautifully, can you imagine her teaching? As an English major, I know I'd be in love!
Evans really makes me want to go to American University and sit in one of her classes. If she writes so beautifully, can you imagine her teaching? As an English major, I know I'd be in love!
mandareads1690's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gailinapail's review against another edition
4.0
danielle evans is such a brilliant writer. these stories were clever, funny, and always a little sad. my favorite is "snakes"
showlola's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 really. Danielle Evans pushed me through my current sad pattern with short fiction collections. Usually I start out loving them and then I'm so exhausted keeping up with all of the new characters and all the new empathy that I'm ready to give up half way through.
Not so here. Evans writes about (mostly) young black women with brains and agency and fully realized characters. Everyone felt fascinating and familiar from paragraph one.
Seriously, she is really talented. I'll definitely be reading anything else Ms. Evans writes.
Not so here. Evans writes about (mostly) young black women with brains and agency and fully realized characters. Everyone felt fascinating and familiar from paragraph one.
Seriously, she is really talented. I'll definitely be reading anything else Ms. Evans writes.
enidkeaner's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.0
lindseyloeper's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of almost great short stories. I shouldprobably give this book a higher rating, I would recommend it, but the heavy handedness is sometimes too much and took me out of the story.
ajesq's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.75
margaret_adams's review against another edition
One of the best short story collections I've read in a while. So well-written, so much fun to read.
Favorites: Virgins; The King of a Vast Empire; Wherever You Go, There You Are.
Favorites: Virgins; The King of a Vast Empire; Wherever You Go, There You Are.