Reviews

Show Them a Good Time by Nicole Flattery

amandamarie793's review against another edition

4.0

A bit creepy... a lot TELL ME WHAT THESE ARE REALLY ABOUT!!!

Loved it!! Still thinking WTF did I really just read about!!!

julietlynnwilliams's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

michellekmartin's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed some of the stories in this collection and some didn’t grab me as much. I did, however, absolutely love Flattery’s writing. I was continuously impressed that this was her debut and I’ll eagerly away the time (if it comes) that she publishes a novel.

I liked how she mixed a feeling of otherworldliness with reality in her stories. You felt right on the edge of understanding the world these women inhabited. I underlined so many parts of this because she has a wonderful, weird, unique way of telling a story. This collection focuses mostly on women on the roles they play in society (and the way they subvert these roles) and it reminded me of stories from Helen Oyeyemi, Ramona Ausubel, and Karen Russell.

thebeautyunknown's review against another edition

2.0

I would like to know what the author was smoking

ayeesharbrts's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad fast-paced

2.5

kglynch's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

sanmeow's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

0.5

god, it just didn't do anything for me. none of the stories did, and that's rare when it comes to collections. i just couldn't connect with any story emotionally, like at all. maybe it's a style thing, maybe it's the themes. i can't help but feel like every story is flat for me. i do think these could resonate with a lot of people, though. if i was to pick one, then i'd say the title story stands out. it is a bit better than the rest. 

hannahbright's review against another edition

2.0

The stories were enjoyable and well written but all of the characters were seriously mentally ill and it was kind of draining. Ended verbally saying "hmm". Don't know that I would recommend to anyone as its kinda a bummer read

tonythep's review against another edition

4.0

I don’t know what it is exactly, about these stories, but I’ll try to describe it: Nicole Flattery inserts her characters into worlds that are just a little bit off. Or her worlds are inhabited by characters that are just a little bit off. Or perhaps her characters and the worlds they inhabit are all perfectly mundane, and she is able to manipulate words like a sorcerer. She wields ambiguity like a razor. (which sounds like something that shouldn’t be allowed.) She deftly punches delight out of darkness. (better?) She produces my favorite thing ever: absurdity. (I still don’t know what it is, but I love it.)

bisexualbookshelf's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75