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bookhound's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved these short stories- so well written, set in NM (my state!), and immersive. They tend towards being dark with a heaviness that detracted a bit for me as a reader, but I look forward to reading The Five Wounds because I think Quade could do a lot with a full novel.
hbermudes's review
memorable. some difficult/uncomfortable stories… but a good read. really thoughtfully put together. i don’t normally read short story collections… that’s all on this
rtdarden2's review
5.0
An absolutely stunning collection of short stories. Some so powerful that I had to stop reading afterwards to absorb what had occurred.
gummy__smile__'s review
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
veemiranne's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
driaslibrary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review
4.0
Interesting set of short stories, not interconnected so much by characters (I didn't notice any recurring characters) but by themes and actions. Would recommend.
miramcm's review
4.0
So smart. I love how Valdez Quade writes characters. Not five stars bc it would be hard for all the stories in a short story collection to be equally good.
cowboyjonah's review
3.0
Really great stories but I felt very neutral about it when I finished, 3.5 ⭐
liberrydude's review
3.0
Ten short stories mostly set in New Mexico ( one in Utah, one in California) with women as the principal protagonists. The author captures the interface of Anglo, Hispanic, and Mormon cultures in the Southwest but Native American is conspicuously absent. You never know where these stories are headed. Lots of angst, anxiety, and despair.