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erinthompson11's review against another edition
5.0
McCann has done it again. A masterpiece of beautiful words woven together into not one, but MULTIPLE short stories. As a lifelong fan of Colum McCann, I can attest to the fact that although he is trying something new here, it definitely works for him. McCann has a way of being able to fit an entire rainbow of emotions into one short story. I read this in a few flights, so I recommend it for a short and quick read!
abbyprinceatwood's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the title novella and Treaty a lot ... rich characters and plot. But the other two felt like a cheap framework with thin characters.
erindb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
peonierose's review against another edition
5.0
A truly remarkable novella, as close to writing perfection as an author can come.
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
5.0
The stories here are nothing super special (although the context from the author's note makes the themes more interesting), but the writing is SO GREAT, every word/sentence is perfect.
geekwayne's review against another edition
5.0
'Thirteen Ways of Looking' by Colum McCann is a brilliant collection comprised of a novella and three short stories. I found myself mesmerized by the language and rhythm of the writing.
The title novella is a day in the life of an aging judge who meets his son for dinner and the tragic events that unfold around that. The father relates events of the past and present in a stream-of-consciousness way that reflects how I know I think, and may be familiar to other readers. Each of the 13 chapters includes a stanza from Wallace Steven's poem Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.
The three short stories are about a writer on a deadline, a mother who buys her son a gift he has been wanting, and a nun sees her rapist and tormentor on television at a peace conference and has to confront her feelings all over again.
In an afterword by the author, it is told that the stories were written before a senseless attack on the author after he tried to help a woman on the street. The attack left him unconscious and hospitalized. we are fortunate to still have this voice among us. It's a beautiful collection of stories.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The title novella is a day in the life of an aging judge who meets his son for dinner and the tragic events that unfold around that. The father relates events of the past and present in a stream-of-consciousness way that reflects how I know I think, and may be familiar to other readers. Each of the 13 chapters includes a stanza from Wallace Steven's poem Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.
The three short stories are about a writer on a deadline, a mother who buys her son a gift he has been wanting, and a nun sees her rapist and tormentor on television at a peace conference and has to confront her feelings all over again.
In an afterword by the author, it is told that the stories were written before a senseless attack on the author after he tried to help a woman on the street. The attack left him unconscious and hospitalized. we are fortunate to still have this voice among us. It's a beautiful collection of stories.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
mjfay's review against another edition
4.0
I don't have the language to critique his work, or explain why, but McCann's prose just mesmerizes me.
waggeldoris's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0