Reviews

McSweeney's 15 by Dave Eggers

clarkness's review

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3.0

I remember feeling worse about this issue after finishing it than I do now. The second half (the Icelandic fiction half) dragged a lot more than the first half. It was very uneven and the best Icelandic stories were still slow starters. Still, "America", "Fridrik and the Eejit" and "My Room" were excellent. The American half was similarly uneven. "Manifesto" might be my least favorite piece in any McSweeney's. Blech. However, "A Precursor of the Cinema" was haunting and gorgeously wrought. I was completely absorbed by its tone and the storytelling was absolutely masterful. More please. I also really liked Roddy Doyle's piece and "Midnight" by Eric Hanson. Nothing too exciting about the packaging although the cover art was nice.

moxiedoll's review

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3.0

As much as I REALLY wanted to like the Icelandic fiction in the second half, I have to agree with others that I skipped a lot. The first half was more solidly good.

benirion's review against another edition

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funny reflective sad fast-paced

3.5

alatarmaia's review against another edition

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Read Fridrik and the Eejit by Sjón, on my aunt's recommendation (haven't looked at the other stories in this volume)

jamiereadthis's review against another edition

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4.0

Loved this issue; the Icelandic stories are especially treasures. If you read only one, make it "Uninvited" by Einar Mar Gumundsson.
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