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
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Let's be honest, I totally read this purely for the SnowBaz story. Usually, I'm not a huge fan of short story collections, but I enjoyed the fact that there were some references to other characters throughout these stories. And we got some new stories! Outside of the SnowBaz story, the one about Star Wars and the one about the CDs were probably my favorite. Pure Rainbow Rowell magic in those stories, I'm telling you.
I think I will eventually want to add this to my collection, mostly because I absolutely love the cover. Plus, there were some really pretty editions that came out for this! I'll have to see if I can get my hands on them. All in all, this was an entertaining read, especially if you enjoy short story collections!
I think I will eventually want to add this to my collection, mostly because I absolutely love the cover. Plus, there were some really pretty editions that came out for this! I'll have to see if I can get my hands on them. All in all, this was an entertaining read, especially if you enjoy short story collections!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Medical trauma, and Cursing
berodatheelf's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Rainbow Rowell's collection of short stories sees the old and the new in one book. There's things she's previously written and had published, short stories on beloved familiar favourites and altogether new works. I particularly enjoyed 'Midnights', 'The Prince and the Troll' and 'In waiting' (which I adored because it perfectly summarised what it's like to write stories in such a unique and clever way!). I felt that some of the stories felt a little flat and a little forgettable but overall it was an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Alcohol, Cursing, and Medical trauma
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