Scan barcode
thomch's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of short stories was great. They were funny, dark and emphasised absurdity within mundane topics.
None of the characters were fully likeable which made them feel fleshed out. Every relationship in Wilson’s stories felt like they had an underlying layer of discontentment towards each other which I lived for.
Favourite stories were Hold Your Fire, Rip and Break Character.
None of the characters were fully likeable which made them feel fleshed out. Every relationship in Wilson’s stories felt like they had an underlying layer of discontentment towards each other which I lived for.
Favourite stories were Hold Your Fire, Rip and Break Character.
brooklynjane's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I find myself agreeing with elnechnntt's review, I enjoyed this story but the formulaic nature meant that I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. It was a bit disappointing (not the book, but this feeling), as I really wanted to love it. I thought the stories were original and interesting, but didn't get that feeling of Oh My God I Have To Keep Reading. I would still recommend it for a great short story collection though.
madeleinekl's review against another edition
4.0
One of the freshest, smartest short story books I've read in ages. Pessimistic and dark but in a fun way. Found myself relating to some of the most unlikeable characters (...). Can't wait to read more.
elnechnntt's review against another edition
3.0
An incredibly polished collection of short and flash fiction, I found every single story to be scrubbed to perfection.
So I’m not sure why I didn’t love this more than I did. I enjoyed the stories but ... perhaps they were almost too polished and about halfway through, it began to feel very formulaic for me. Every story followed the same map of delivery: a couple engaged in some heterosexual style of relationship, something a little gruesome, a bodily fluid, a cold realisation, a perfunctory closing line.
I think if I had read one or two of these stories on their own they would have blown me away but an entire collection seemed to loose its power.
Wilson has a compelling mastery for her craft, and the stories are faultless. It was just missing that ... something ... I can’t quite explain it.
So I’m not sure why I didn’t love this more than I did. I enjoyed the stories but ... perhaps they were almost too polished and about halfway through, it began to feel very formulaic for me. Every story followed the same map of delivery: a couple engaged in some heterosexual style of relationship, something a little gruesome, a bodily fluid, a cold realisation, a perfunctory closing line.
I think if I had read one or two of these stories on their own they would have blown me away but an entire collection seemed to loose its power.
Wilson has a compelling mastery for her craft, and the stories are faultless. It was just missing that ... something ... I can’t quite explain it.
tevreads's review against another edition
4.0
‘Hold Your Fire’ by Chloe Wilson is a debut short story collection, and surely a new Aussie author to watch. I didn’t have many expectations going in, as it doesn’t seem to be a book that has been talked about, but now I think it should be. Wilson provides a wide palette of stories on different thoughts and feelings and themes of society. She does so both with originality and prose in a collection that offers a preview of her talents as a writer. I throughly enjoyed every story of ‘Hold Your Fire’, and what a great cover too. I can’t wait to see what Chloe Wilson publishes next and I will be recommending this to more people!
kait_leslie's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kmiddleb's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
The tiny short stories were the most powerful.
savidgereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
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? N/A
4.0
emz2702's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not the best at writing reviews, so suffice it to say this book is weird, funny, smart and dark. They had the same feel to me as a lot of Neil Gaiman's works, or Tim Burton's films in that there were undercurrents/themes just beyond my grasp. If anyone ends up including this in a book club, let me know as I'd love to hear what you have to say about some of the stories :)
steph_84's review against another edition
3.0
I’m three quarters of the way through but I think I’m going to stop, because I’ve already got enough in my brain now for a broad range of nightmares.
These stories are clever and well written but, without exception, very dark and twisted. A large proportion of the characters appear to be sociopaths, and most others are either dopey or garden-variety jerks, not even in the sense of being flawed or complex, just straight-out horrible or hopeless.
For these reasons the stories are impressive but not enjoyable. I’m gonna go read some paperback crime fiction which I suspect will be less violent…?
These stories are clever and well written but, without exception, very dark and twisted. A large proportion of the characters appear to be sociopaths, and most others are either dopey or garden-variety jerks, not even in the sense of being flawed or complex, just straight-out horrible or hopeless.
For these reasons the stories are impressive but not enjoyable. I’m gonna go read some paperback crime fiction which I suspect will be less violent…?