deboraaahchu's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
dieumangedieu's review
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is like no other book I've read. It's not often that I find a book with such a clear aesthetic world that evokes such a strong feeling throughout. I haven't found any other book that makes me feel icky like this one did, but i appreciate books that have imagery enough to make me feel like that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Excrement
Minor: Blood, Body horror, and Toxic friendship
ajlct's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
soinavoice's review
4.0
Three and a half stars, rounding up to support a new author.
These stories are deeply weird, which is great, but tend unfortunately towards the samey in their weirdness. Of the eight longer stories (there are eleven stories total, but three of them are only a page or two in length), five center around the surreally squalid domestic life of women living on the fringe of a spatially and temporally indeterminate society, and those women's relationship issues with bizarre and unsatisfactory men. The voice didn't vary much between these stories, and they all kind of flowed together. They're also preoccupied with gender roles in a way that often feels bizarrely outdated. The stories as a whole are very interested in social difference based on sex, class, physical appearance, and education, but contain not even a nod to difference based on sexuality, race/ethnicity, or religion. I'm not saying that every writer *needs* to talk about ethnicity and sexuality, but that in this particular case, the complete and utter absence felt somehow... conspicuous.
On the whole though, the stories were enjoyably surreal and unsettling, and there were a few ("Waxy," "Agata's Machine," and "Notes from a Spider") that REALLY stood out.
Other reviewers have compared Camilla Grudova to Angela Carter, Franz Kafka, and Margaret Atwood, which I'd say is pretty accurate--perhaps a little too much so (not that the stories are derivative, but there's a strong enough feel of these authors that some of the weaker stories seemed to invite a not particularly flattering comparison). I'd be more inclined to call this collection "promising" than "accomplished," but there is both talent and substance enough here to make it worth the read, especially if you're a fan of any of the above authors. I'm interested to see what Camilla Grudova comes out with next--definitely putting her on my "authors to watch" list.
These stories are deeply weird, which is great, but tend unfortunately towards the samey in their weirdness. Of the eight longer stories (there are eleven stories total, but three of them are only a page or two in length), five center around the surreally squalid domestic life of women living on the fringe of a spatially and temporally indeterminate society, and those women's relationship issues with bizarre and unsatisfactory men. The voice didn't vary much between these stories, and they all kind of flowed together. They're also preoccupied with gender roles in a way that often feels bizarrely outdated. The stories as a whole are very interested in social difference based on sex, class, physical appearance, and education, but contain not even a nod to difference based on sexuality, race/ethnicity, or religion. I'm not saying that every writer *needs* to talk about ethnicity and sexuality, but that in this particular case, the complete and utter absence felt somehow... conspicuous.
On the whole though, the stories were enjoyably surreal and unsettling, and there were a few ("Waxy," "Agata's Machine," and "Notes from a Spider") that REALLY stood out.
Other reviewers have compared Camilla Grudova to Angela Carter, Franz Kafka, and Margaret Atwood, which I'd say is pretty accurate--perhaps a little too much so (not that the stories are derivative, but there's a strong enough feel of these authors that some of the weaker stories seemed to invite a not particularly flattering comparison). I'd be more inclined to call this collection "promising" than "accomplished," but there is both talent and substance enough here to make it worth the read, especially if you're a fan of any of the above authors. I'm interested to see what Camilla Grudova comes out with next--definitely putting her on my "authors to watch" list.
rosie_24601's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
sanmeow's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
lots of different elements here, which is expected of a short story collection. many stories were feminist and discussed the oppression of women, which was insightful. many were just weird (in a good way) and entertained me. i liked the writing style, it's very descriptive and sometimes dreamy, fitting for surrealist literature. the descriptiveness was probably my favorite part of the whole collection - i could clearly see and imagine everything the author was talking about. sometimes i felt like the author went too far with the bizarre elements, as if they served no purpose other than to shock you or weird you out. but that's alright just because it wasn't overwhelming, only occurred in a few stories. personal favorite was definitely agata's machine.
falchionm's review
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0