cstefko's review against another edition
4.0
There were a few underwhelming stories, but overall I really enjoyed this collection. Meloy has a great range; not only does she write men and women equally well, she also does well with a variety of ages in her characters.
Standout stories, for me:
Four Lean Hounds, ca. 1976
Garrison Junction
Aqua Boulevard
Last of the White Slaves
She's just one of those authors whose writing leaves a lump in your throat.
I think I like her more recent collection, *Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It," better, but I definitely recommend this one too.
I wish you could do half stars for ratings on here, because I'd really give this 4.5. Alas.
Standout stories, for me:
Four Lean Hounds, ca. 1976
Garrison Junction
Aqua Boulevard
Last of the White Slaves
She's just one of those authors whose writing leaves a lump in your throat.
I think I like her more recent collection, *Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It," better, but I definitely recommend this one too.
I wish you could do half stars for ratings on here, because I'd really give this 4.5. Alas.
kweekwegg's review against another edition
4.0
I wouldn't say any one of these blew me away, but all of them stuck with me in a very real and visceral way. Super excited to see the Kelly Reichardt film that's based on a few of these stories!
delaneylp's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-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? N/A
4.0
Meloy writes with a delicacy and understanding of her characters which I think is this collection's greatest strength. Occasionally, the prose feels a little too sparse, but overall, this is a lovely read.
dycojams's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.5
suncoyote's review against another edition
3.0
Meloy makes me brave about my own writing. She writes elegant single scenes that contain a whole world's worth of story just under the surface. Somebody told me once that single-scene stories never get published and I wish I'd known about Meloy back then--because she does it so well. I had to return to the book to the library, so apologies for not naming the specific story here, but she tells one story about a couple that goes to ask a man if they can have some sheet rock from his property. In that single scene you begin to understand everything about the couple, the world they live in and an inkling of the type of man they are visiting.
Meloy generally employs a rather distant narrator who sees all of the characters at once--if memory serves correctly, she employes third-person narrator almost exclusively. Sometimes I wanted a bit more emotional intensity in the stories, swooping us in to first person or just a close narrator. My heart doesn't get wrung out by her stories, but believe me, her writing will engage you intellectually and your senses will be rewarded by her skill.
Meloy generally employs a rather distant narrator who sees all of the characters at once--if memory serves correctly, she employes third-person narrator almost exclusively. Sometimes I wanted a bit more emotional intensity in the stories, swooping us in to first person or just a close narrator. My heart doesn't get wrung out by her stories, but believe me, her writing will engage you intellectually and your senses will be rewarded by her skill.
dilan11's review against another edition
4.0
It is hard to believe that this is a debut collection of stories. They are moving and powerful. The Western setting reminds me of Annie Proulx.
"Four Lean Hounds" is haunting. "Paint" is excruciating to read. Even on the second time around, I could barely stand it.
Some of the other stories that take place outside the west like "Red" and "Aqua Boulevard" I found weaker. They didn't feel quite as connected to the emotional content of the story, but still an impressive first collection. One story that might get passed by because of its brevity but it's really a perfect little gem is "The Ice Harvester". It is quiet and perfectly paced something I don't often see from contemporary short story writers.
I look forward to reading her next work.
"Four Lean Hounds" is haunting. "Paint" is excruciating to read. Even on the second time around, I could barely stand it.
Some of the other stories that take place outside the west like "Red" and "Aqua Boulevard" I found weaker. They didn't feel quite as connected to the emotional content of the story, but still an impressive first collection. One story that might get passed by because of its brevity but it's really a perfect little gem is "The Ice Harvester". It is quiet and perfectly paced something I don't often see from contemporary short story writers.
I look forward to reading her next work.
kristiana's review against another edition
5.0
Each story was so different from the previous. Every story was strong and unique. It seemed like the stories toward the end of the book got more and more sad, but in a good and tragic way.
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