cuteasamuntin's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s always difficult to give a summary of an anthology, especially one where every tale was beyond stellar. I’m feeling especially tender after this one, between the return of some of my favorites (Fangirl’s Reagan, my beloved) and a slew of new-to-me characters who I loved far too briefly before their stories ended. There were some very big ideas in here alongside the big feelings I’ve come to expect from Rowell’s writing, and she certainly didn’t disappoint on that front. So, instead of trying to summarize the stories or reflect on them individually, I’m going to ramble on a bit about what this anthology really highlighted for me about Rowell’s work.
Rainbow Rowell doesn’t create characters. Rainbow Rowell makes people. And I adore them. I love them angry and excited and nervous and blissful. I love them aching with the effort of containing their desire and their need, frightened of their own hunger even as they try to fold it into something palatable. I love them laughing and crying, teasing and fighting, mid-joke and mid-breakdown. I love them falling in love, seeing the things about one another that aren’t perfect and the way those things remain imperfect and strange and ugly even when they’re so thoroughly loved.
The thing I really love, though, is that reading a Rainbow Rowell book is like being punched in the face by every messy, human emotion you’ve ever had. In front of a sold-out audience of all your best and worst moments. Repeatedly. Then volunteering to go again as soon as your gums stop bleeding, cheering as you do because yes, yes, it’s just like that! There’s a beautiful, shining moment where all the most private parts of your internal landscape feel, not just seen or even known, but embraced and hatred and wanted. And you get to have that, as much as you want.
Rainbow Rowell doesn’t create characters. Rainbow Rowell makes people. And I adore them. I love them angry and excited and nervous and blissful. I love them aching with the effort of containing their desire and their need, frightened of their own hunger even as they try to fold it into something palatable. I love them laughing and crying, teasing and fighting, mid-joke and mid-breakdown. I love them falling in love, seeing the things about one another that aren’t perfect and the way those things remain imperfect and strange and ugly even when they’re so thoroughly loved.
The thing I really love, though, is that reading a Rainbow Rowell book is like being punched in the face by every messy, human emotion you’ve ever had. In front of a sold-out audience of all your best and worst moments. Repeatedly. Then volunteering to go again as soon as your gums stop bleeding, cheering as you do because yes, yes, it’s just like that! There’s a beautiful, shining moment where all the most private parts of your internal landscape feel, not just seen or even known, but embraced and hatred and wanted. And you get to have that, as much as you want.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Homophobia, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Fatphobia, Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual content
aileron's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Animal death
Minor: Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Bullying, and Infertility
sxndaze's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I haven’t read anything from Rainbow Rowell in years, so it was nice to revisit her writing. The stories are gorgeous and a little melancholy. Kindred Spirits and Winter Songs for Summer are my favourite I think.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Medical content, Death, and Alcohol
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