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hannahmarie39's review
3.0
The writing is engaging, but slow. All the stories feel like the first twenty minutes of a movie - like all the setup is out of the way finally, but then it ends before the big exciting part.
bookishcardigan's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
clairetierney22's review
4.0
First June #ReadCaribbean finished and delighted to have picked this one to kick things off.
I found these 12 short stories to be a great introduction into Caribbean literature and folklore. Set mostly in Trinidad, the stories explore monsters living within us and also the ones we fear. The darker the stories were, the more I liked them!!
I found these 12 short stories to be a great introduction into Caribbean literature and folklore. Set mostly in Trinidad, the stories explore monsters living within us and also the ones we fear. The darker the stories were, the more I liked them!!
elkcariboubiologist's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
It is possible I may have appreciated this collection even more if I knew more of the cultural and socioeconomic history of Trinidad. But even without this knowledge, I easily gave this collection 5 stars because it is brilliantly written.
Content-wise, many of these stories are a commentary about class, crime, monsters within and the monsters we fear around us, and more. But it was the atmosphere of the stories and of the writing that blew me away. The first story in the collection is fairly benign from a tension standpoint and yet something about the way the story was written left me feeling incredibly uneasy. So much so that I put the book down for a couple weeks before engaging again. And yet, nothing happened that really warranted that unease. The next story in the collection is subtle but ultimately brutal and yet was written in almost a matter of fact way that didn't make me feel the same unease. Back and forth the stories would go, building tension and unease. In my opinion, this is the beauty of this masterfully written short story collection.
I am curious to read more by this author and I have a feeling that I will come back to this collection again sometime in the future.
Content-wise, many of these stories are a commentary about class, crime, monsters within and the monsters we fear around us, and more. But it was the atmosphere of the stories and of the writing that blew me away. The first story in the collection is fairly benign from a tension standpoint and yet something about the way the story was written left me feeling incredibly uneasy. So much so that I put the book down for a couple weeks before engaging again. And yet, nothing happened that really warranted that unease. The next story in the collection is subtle but ultimately brutal and yet was written in almost a matter of fact way that didn't make me feel the same unease. Back and forth the stories would go, building tension and unease. In my opinion, this is the beauty of this masterfully written short story collection.
I am curious to read more by this author and I have a feeling that I will come back to this collection again sometime in the future.
sammisaysread's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
miche29's review
5.0
I don't often write reviews but this book warranted an exception. Where There Are Monsters came onto my radar via @BookOfCinz and while I'm always eager to find a Trini bred author, the theme of folklore isn't one of my preferred genres. So I was a bit skeptical venturing in.
I expected deeply mythical folklore-type stories and instead was greeted with these wonderful tales of everyday Caribbean life as the focal point. The Caribbean flavour was very present but never overwhelmed the narratives. The characters are people you can automatically relate to because you already know them as your boss, next door neighbour, your bestie or even in traces of yourself.
I also appreciated the tone that her stories ended with. While the story was finished on paper, it was left open in your imagination as to the future of the characters. I was left thinking of the endless possibilities with each story and mentally writing my own happy (or not so happy for some individuals) endings!
I expected deeply mythical folklore-type stories and instead was greeted with these wonderful tales of everyday Caribbean life as the focal point. The Caribbean flavour was very present but never overwhelmed the narratives. The characters are people you can automatically relate to because you already know them as your boss, next door neighbour, your bestie or even in traces of yourself.
I also appreciated the tone that her stories ended with. While the story was finished on paper, it was left open in your imagination as to the future of the characters. I was left thinking of the endless possibilities with each story and mentally writing my own happy (or not so happy for some individuals) endings!
sheonlywantsmybooks's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Such an interesting collection to read. I wasn't expecting to finish it in two days - I could not put it down! I look forward to re-reading this in the future.
theepumpkin's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bookofcinz's review
4.0
Updated July 2020
After reading Where There Are Monsters in January I felt the need to not stop talking about it and that I needed people to talk about it with so, I made it a BookOfCinz pick. In re-reading this collection I have to say I made a great choice. So many different themes, so many stories to discuss at lengths. Hands down one of my favorite collection of Caribbean stories.
January 2020
I will admit, I took my time getting around to this book for a lot of reasons. My top being, in the blurb it said folklore and the title said monsters so I was expecting a lot of magical realism based on Folklore from Trinidad and Tobago. Let me tell you, when hear about a Trini folklore, your pores will raise, I am VERY afraid of hearing about them, hence my reason for not putting this book to the top of my list. I will admit, it is a silly reason but.... yah girl lives alone.
The entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking to myself "Cindy, WHY did you wait so long to read it?!!!" This is a brilliant collection of short stories- absolutely brilliant. I rated each story in this collection and only one was below three stars. McIvor did a great job of showcasing Trinidad and Tobago in a contemporary way and from a myth and folklore perspective. I also feel that even if you are not from the Caribbean you will appreciate a lot if not all the stories in this collection.
Where There Are Monsters a debut collection of twelve stories. Mc Ivor plays on the title throughout the novel and makes us aware that monsters are not just the creepy crawly thing we so often hear about but also the people around us. The collection explores so many themes that are timely and relevant including mental illness, dating in the 21st century, domestic abuse, heartbreak, betrayal, infidelity and love.
Your heartbreaks for so many of the characters and what they are going through because of the “monsters” in their lives. From the young man who is struggle to catch a break and go out on a date with his crush, to the woman who was forced to have an abortion because her husband gaslight the hell out of her, to the woman whose husband mistress showed up pregnant at her door… the list goes on. As much as some of these stories are heart-breaking they are somehow also uplifting. You feel for the characters, sometimes pity but mostly pride.
My absolute stand out reads were:
Ophelia
The Course
The One Night Stand
Things We Don’t Say
Kristoff and Bonnie
Robber Talk
Overall, a solid collection of short stories and I highly recommend you give it a read. Also, lets support new and upcoming writers. I love the refreshing perspective Mc Ivor brought to this collection/ Caribbean literature.
After reading Where There Are Monsters in January I felt the need to not stop talking about it and that I needed people to talk about it with so, I made it a BookOfCinz pick. In re-reading this collection I have to say I made a great choice. So many different themes, so many stories to discuss at lengths. Hands down one of my favorite collection of Caribbean stories.
January 2020
I will admit, I took my time getting around to this book for a lot of reasons. My top being, in the blurb it said folklore and the title said monsters so I was expecting a lot of magical realism based on Folklore from Trinidad and Tobago. Let me tell you, when hear about a Trini folklore, your pores will raise, I am VERY afraid of hearing about them, hence my reason for not putting this book to the top of my list. I will admit, it is a silly reason but.... yah girl lives alone.
The entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking to myself "Cindy, WHY did you wait so long to read it?!!!" This is a brilliant collection of short stories- absolutely brilliant. I rated each story in this collection and only one was below three stars. McIvor did a great job of showcasing Trinidad and Tobago in a contemporary way and from a myth and folklore perspective. I also feel that even if you are not from the Caribbean you will appreciate a lot if not all the stories in this collection.
Where There Are Monsters a debut collection of twelve stories. Mc Ivor plays on the title throughout the novel and makes us aware that monsters are not just the creepy crawly thing we so often hear about but also the people around us. The collection explores so many themes that are timely and relevant including mental illness, dating in the 21st century, domestic abuse, heartbreak, betrayal, infidelity and love.
Your heartbreaks for so many of the characters and what they are going through because of the “monsters” in their lives. From the young man who is struggle to catch a break and go out on a date with his crush, to the woman who was forced to have an abortion because her husband gaslight the hell out of her, to the woman whose husband mistress showed up pregnant at her door… the list goes on. As much as some of these stories are heart-breaking they are somehow also uplifting. You feel for the characters, sometimes pity but mostly pride.
My absolute stand out reads were:
Ophelia
The Course
The One Night Stand
Things We Don’t Say
Kristoff and Bonnie
Robber Talk
Overall, a solid collection of short stories and I highly recommend you give it a read. Also, lets support new and upcoming writers. I love the refreshing perspective Mc Ivor brought to this collection/ Caribbean literature.