reading_rainbow_with_chris's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
“The Best Short Stories 2021: The O. Henry Prize Winners” edited by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
The O. Henry Prize short story anthologies are one of my two reliable annual collections that I go to for some amazing short stories. That is why this particular collection was slightly disappointing. To be clear, there are some excellent works in here and I think Adiche did a remarkable job of capturing a range of diverse voices. But something about the stories collected here didn’t entice me. I was missing the kind of verve in them that motivates me to keep reading. Although I could objectively point out each story being good, I had trouble keeping interest, hence the very long journey to completion. I think ultimately this is not a reflection on the quality of the collection and more a statement that this particular collection didn’t speak to me as much. Standout stories for me included “Endangered Species: Case #74701,” “Becoming the Baby Girl,” “Freedom from Want,” “Fisherman’s Stew,” and “Delandria.”
The O. Henry Prize short story anthologies are one of my two reliable annual collections that I go to for some amazing short stories. That is why this particular collection was slightly disappointing. To be clear, there are some excellent works in here and I think Adiche did a remarkable job of capturing a range of diverse voices. But something about the stories collected here didn’t entice me. I was missing the kind of verve in them that motivates me to keep reading. Although I could objectively point out each story being good, I had trouble keeping interest, hence the very long journey to completion. I think ultimately this is not a reflection on the quality of the collection and more a statement that this particular collection didn’t speak to me as much. Standout stories for me included “Endangered Species: Case #74701,” “Becoming the Baby Girl,” “Freedom from Want,” “Fisherman’s Stew,” and “Delandria.”
briqhtkit's review against another edition
4.0
some of them were Not my cup of tea but the vast majority definitely were. my favorites were ”from all around they saw us burn” and “color and light” and “brown girls”
mackenziewestrick's review against another edition
3.0
i’m just not a fan of short stories i’m sorry
sabinaleybold's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
vikreads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Like with many compilations, some were absolutely wonderful and some I could barely get through. And that’s why it took me 5 months to finish it. I don’t even feel equipped to review this one because nothing really stuck with me. The stories that I disliked really over voiced the ones I did. As far as anthologies go, this was probably one of my least favorites which I know probably makes me the outlier, because these won so many awards 🤷🏼♀️
mackenzie_sitstudio's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
brookecousins's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
cs4_0reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0