theghostshark's review against another edition
5.0
Miranda July can do no wrong in my books so perhaps I'm biased. I know she likes to explore the power that children posess, as many people think they have none, she also likes to explore subject matter designed to make the reader feel a bit perhaps, uncomfortable. In this collection of short stories she explores sexuality, human interaction and relationships mostly. But her voice is so different from others that it comes off as unique and fresh. My favorite book of this year so far.
jgmencarini's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this author's first feature-length film, Me and You and Everyone We Know, which presented her as a quirky artiste. That is confirmed by this collection of stories, which are alternately sad, hilarious, twisted, physical, and bizarre. I recommend the collection but it is not for the faint of heart or anyone with a sense of prudishness as there is a lot of sexual content.
labinsky's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.75
i don't remember the last time i finished a book in one day and wasn't stuck on a plane. honestly i didn't love the first three stories, but i found that i couldn't stop reading and as i continued i found myself so drawn within each story. her writing reminds me of everything i love about ottessa moshfegh. it's raw and it's uncomfortable and it's going to be bouncing around my head for a long time like an old screensaver. fuck.
mirandacasuga's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
it was an entertaining book for sure, the last story i thought was quite thought provoking. i would describe this book as odd, unapologetically open, and unconventional.
lrc52's review against another edition
5.0
wow. what an intimate, awkward, sexy book. i am always amazed at the magic of short stories. july is near perfect at the art. how does she convey such emotions with such precise words? you know how your mind runs amok sometimes--your looking at some stranger and your mind just goes THERE? and the shame you feel? she writes it down. she says all that stuff that you try to stuff away, face blushing. the result is such an intimate knowledge of the narrator that you feel like you are the narrator. the stories' characters and plots run the gamut from young lesbian turned back room port star, to weird family dynamics, to crushing on a celebrity. she becomes all our deepest darkest secrets--in every story. wow.
its_jas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.5
lrncon121's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
wenlingzhao's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
- I absolutely don't belong anywhere near this book
- only the first story was good, and only because it was funny
- did not take away anything from the stories no insight at all
- points for pure shock factor out of disgust and the level of unhinged the characters are
- not one likeable character
- honestly had no idea what was going on a lot of the time