Reviews with content warning for Violence - Shit Cassandra Saw

Set in both modern times and ancient history, Kirby rewrites familiar narratives that allow her female protagonists to come out on top. Some of the strongest stories in this collection are those that are the most playful and satirical. In "A Few Normal Things that Happen a Lot," characters respond to sexual harassment with supernatural attacks. In "Midwestern Girl is Tired of Appearing in Your Short Stories," Kirby gives voice to a tired stereotype that is all too familiar in male-centered fiction.

Another major strength of this collection is Kirby's masterful utilization of dry humor during characterization. For instance, in "Jerry's Crab Shack: One Star," she immerses readers in the mind of a man in a dysfunctional marriage - to great comedic effect. Spoiler alert: it's in the format of a confessional Yelp review.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes bizarre, funny books that put fresh spins on tired tropes.

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spw14's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-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

3.75

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bookish_afrolatina's review against another edition

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dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Interesting and, sometimes, entertaining! I liked the twists on the stories but feel like some of them were a bit too depressing for me.

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spiritedfaraway's review against another edition

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reflective tense slow-paced

2.0

I didn't hate this, but it wasn't for me. I remember maybe three of the stories pretty well and liked them well enough, but I couldn't for the life of me remember what the other stories were about and I just finished this, so take that how you will.

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sydapel's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Probably my favorite short story collection yet?? Kirby's writing is striking and immediate in a way that I don't often see, her characters messy and imperfect and yearning in a way that's so assuring. Favorites included "Shit Cassandra Saw..." "Mt Adams at Mar Vista" "Midwestern Girl is tired of Appearing in your Story Stories" and "Mary Read is a Cross Dressing Pirate"

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mmccombs's review

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dark funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

A very unique and funny short story collection! I loved the binding themes of womanhood and also just sometimes bizarre, supernatural-ish elements. It kind of reminded me of Wake, Siren but more about tearing men apart and being messy and being in sisterhood with others. I might have enjoyed it more in reading a physical copy, just to fully grasp deeper meanings, but I did enjoy the performances in this collection!

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