Reviews with content warning for Self harm - Shit Cassandra Saw: Stories

Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Shit Cassandra Saw: Stories by Gwen E. Kirby

9 reviews

hevlav's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

This is a fun collection of short stories focused primarily on what it is to be a woman, from a variety of points of view. It flows well, but I did not find I was truly gripped by a majority of the content.

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rageofcaliban's review against another edition

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dark funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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anne_shouseofdreams's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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zareenj's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

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lucyshucy's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced

4.25

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savvylit's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

Set in both modern times and ancient history, Kirby rewrites familiar narratives that allow her female protagonists to come out on top. Some of the strongest stories in this collection are those that are the most playful and satirical. In "A Few Normal Things that Happen a Lot," characters respond to sexual harassment with supernatural attacks. In "Midwestern Girl is Tired of Appearing in Your Short Stories," Kirby gives voice to a tired stereotype that is all too familiar in male-centered fiction.

Another major strength of this collection is Kirby's masterful utilization of dry humor during characterization. For instance, in "Jerry's Crab Shack: One Star," she immerses readers in the mind of a man in a dysfunctional marriage - to great comedic effect. Spoiler alert: it's in the format of a confessional Yelp review.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes bizarre, funny books that put fresh spins on tired tropes.

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caseythereader's review

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challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

- If you're into the recent wave of books filled with feminine rage, add SHIT CASSANDRA SAW to your list.
- The stories in this book range across a variety of topics, styles, and genres, but all are funny, dark, and a bit surreal.

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madiehamilton's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

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sydapel's review

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adventurous dark funny fast-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

Probably my favorite short story collection yet?? Kirby's writing is striking and immediate in a way that I don't often see, her characters messy and imperfect and yearning in a way that's so assuring. Favorites included "Shit Cassandra Saw..." "Mt Adams at Mar Vista" "Midwestern Girl is tired of Appearing in your Story Stories" and "Mary Read is a Cross Dressing Pirate"

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