mfrisk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a fun and quick read similar to shows like the twilight zone with surprise gifts but the recipients should be careful what they wish for. I liked most of the stories though a few fell flat. I think some lent themselves to larger themes but I would have loved the epilogue to have tied them together in some way. It just sort of ended but lacked that pay off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
oddly's review against another edition
4.0
What a weirdly wonderful little horror gem!
Each story begins with the delivery of a strange, unexpected package. Some of them seem normal (at first), like a book. Others are more surreal, like a seed that grows into a boyfriend. But each tale develops into a strange fairytale-esque morality tale with fangs it isn’t afraid to use.
I would classify this as magical realist, as it seems to be set in a realistic world (though the “city” isn’t named) but the truly bizarre things that happen are just accepted as normal to the characters in the stories. I loved every second and read it in one sitting.
Even though the stories are separate, they are tied together by the thread of the packages, and all have a similar tone and purpose. Some are left open-ended, while others tie up more neatly, but I was left with a feeling that the packages were potentially a metaphor for desire.
All of the characters begin the stories wanting something, feeling unhappy with something in their life, or hollow, underappreciated, or unseen in some way, and then the package arrives, giving them . . . something. Though it may not be exactly what they wanted, they are sent on a journey or a trial of some kind, which may teach them that what they wanted was not really what they needed at all.
That was my reading of the stories! I really enjoyed this book, and would love to see more from this author.
Each story begins with the delivery of a strange, unexpected package. Some of them seem normal (at first), like a book. Others are more surreal, like a seed that grows into a boyfriend. But each tale develops into a strange fairytale-esque morality tale with fangs it isn’t afraid to use.
I would classify this as magical realist, as it seems to be set in a realistic world (though the “city” isn’t named) but the truly bizarre things that happen are just accepted as normal to the characters in the stories. I loved every second and read it in one sitting.
Even though the stories are separate, they are tied together by the thread of the packages, and all have a similar tone and purpose. Some are left open-ended, while others tie up more neatly, but I was left with a feeling that the packages were potentially a metaphor for desire.
All of the characters begin the stories wanting something, feeling unhappy with something in their life, or hollow, underappreciated, or unseen in some way, and then the package arrives, giving them . . . something. Though it may not be exactly what they wanted, they are sent on a journey or a trial of some kind, which may teach them that what they wanted was not really what they needed at all.
That was my reading of the stories! I really enjoyed this book, and would love to see more from this author.
kilosmom7's review against another edition
3.0
i enjoyed these short stories though, i was hoping maybe they would come together at the end?? maybe i just didn’t get it, but it all seemed very open ended.
evanstjones's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this collection of stories. There’s wide variety here: something for everyone!
meghan_is_reading's review against another edition
Boxes with presents! Not necessarily the nice kind. #bookclub4m
curlybooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting little read. Weird set-ups with odd twists and turns. Not sure how impactful this will be in the long run or how many stories will stick with me, but it was fun to read while it lasted.
jeanne25's review against another edition
3.0
Fortune Box is a collection of independent stories that each begin with unexpected packages being delivered to unsuspecting souls. Some of the gifts had positive results while others were quite negative. I was hoping that the ending would tie all the stories together but it didn’t or it went over my head. Still an enjoyable book.
exorcismofemilyreed's review against another edition
4.0
"Perfect, it had been perfect."
Fortune Box was my introduction to bizarro writer Madeleine Swann, and I had so much fun reading it. It's a collection of nine stories, and each begins with a mysterious packages being delivered from a company called Tower Ltd. Surprise Packages. I absolutely loved this idea. It left room for so much creativity, and I had so much fun seeing what was in each package.
Each one is specific to a character in that story, so you get a bit of a weird character study in each story. Some of the "gifts" are funny, some are creepy, some are emotional, and some are just downright strange. There's a good variety here, and the stories are so enjoyable. Also, the cover is so precious, and I love looking at this book.
I wish the stories would have had names instead of just numbers so I could remember them better, but my top 3 stories were 1, 2, and 4. These three were body horror-related & a bit grim; I really loved them. The humane traps for humans in a college dorm one (story 2) was probably my favorite of the collection. I had so much fun reading these.
I found the collection to be stronger in the beginning than it was at the end, but I still enjoyed it the whole way through. I rated everything between 3⭐ to 5⭐, so all the stories in this collection are good.
Fortune Box was my pick for the #ladiesfirst2019 challenge hosted by Ladies of Horror Fiction, and I feel that I chose a great book to kick off 2019. I can't wait to read more from Madeleine Swann! There were so many entertaining ideas in Fortune Box & I would love to see more from her. I recommend this one if you're looking for something amusing yet unsettling.
Fortune Box was my introduction to bizarro writer Madeleine Swann, and I had so much fun reading it. It's a collection of nine stories, and each begins with a mysterious packages being delivered from a company called Tower Ltd. Surprise Packages. I absolutely loved this idea. It left room for so much creativity, and I had so much fun seeing what was in each package.
Each one is specific to a character in that story, so you get a bit of a weird character study in each story. Some of the "gifts" are funny, some are creepy, some are emotional, and some are just downright strange. There's a good variety here, and the stories are so enjoyable. Also, the cover is so precious, and I love looking at this book.
I wish the stories would have had names instead of just numbers so I could remember them better, but my top 3 stories were 1, 2, and 4. These three were body horror-related & a bit grim; I really loved them. The humane traps for humans in a college dorm one (story 2) was probably my favorite of the collection. I had so much fun reading these.
I found the collection to be stronger in the beginning than it was at the end, but I still enjoyed it the whole way through. I rated everything between 3⭐ to 5⭐, so all the stories in this collection are good.
Fortune Box was my pick for the #ladiesfirst2019 challenge hosted by Ladies of Horror Fiction, and I feel that I chose a great book to kick off 2019. I can't wait to read more from Madeleine Swann! There were so many entertaining ideas in Fortune Box & I would love to see more from her. I recommend this one if you're looking for something amusing yet unsettling.
acey1221's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a wild anthology journey of people receiving packages.
kingjason's review
4.0
As a kid I used to watch The Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits, I loved the weird little stories and having my mind blown by a crazy plot twist that nobody in their right mind would have been able to guess. Reading the fortune box brought all those crazy mind bending experiences flooding back. The premise is so cleverly simple, nine different people across a city get a surprise package which alters their life, for the good or bad is down to your point of view. Not once was I able to guess what the outcome would be, come on! what person could have predicted how the parcel with a mousetrap was gonna play out, that one was my favourite by the way.
I think the only weakness was the length of the book, I wanted more parcels....just had a thought, I had a missed parcel card today, I wonder if Tower Ltd have sent me something. Another fantastic thing about this book was an awesome reference to a kids game show from the past, Knightmare was much watched by me too.
The cover is one of my favourites I seen this year, the sweet little girl makes it very eye-catching.
My first Madeleine Swann book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, looking forward to reading more.
Blog post is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018/12/10/fortune-box-by-madeleine-swann/
I think the only weakness was the length of the book, I wanted more parcels....just had a thought, I had a missed parcel card today, I wonder if Tower Ltd have sent me something. Another fantastic thing about this book was an awesome reference to a kids game show from the past, Knightmare was much watched by me too.
The cover is one of my favourites I seen this year, the sweet little girl makes it very eye-catching.
My first Madeleine Swann book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, looking forward to reading more.
Blog post is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018/12/10/fortune-box-by-madeleine-swann/