leasummer's review
3.0
If you are a Whitney Otto fan, I would recommend this, with the tip to just read it, don't read the reviews, don't get a preconceived notion of what the book is about, just read it because you enjoy her writing.
With that said, here's my review...
For me, I felt this book, at least the first five (of eight) short stories was more about sexuality than photography; the girls were all described as androgynous. There was more focus on their affairs and sexual relationships and lack of "normal" sexual restraints, than on their photography skills and achievements. Some of the "girls" end up finding/marrying men who said they wanted her as she was, until they didn't; I found the only one who stayed true to that was in the final story.
Several of the stories were very politically charged, WWI and WWII, Jewish and Nazi, Mexican revolutionary, Communist.
There is a randomness to the stories, long drawn descriptions, talking of one thing to quickly change to another. I often found myself wondering where an idea came from or where it was suppose to fit in. There is also a randomness of the stories as a collection; the first five stories and the last three stories have a very different feel. The first five are centered more in time and the last three gets us through quite a few decades. The attempt to connect the stories by Cymbeline showing up in some way in all of them was interesting and help me get through the book in the end.
With that said, here's my review...
For me, I felt this book, at least the first five (of eight) short stories was more about sexuality than photography; the girls were all described as androgynous. There was more focus on their affairs and sexual relationships and lack of "normal" sexual restraints, than on their photography skills and achievements. Some of the "girls" end up finding/marrying men who said they wanted her as she was, until they didn't; I found the only one who stayed true to that was in the final story.
Several of the stories were very politically charged, WWI and WWII, Jewish and Nazi, Mexican revolutionary, Communist.
There is a randomness to the stories, long drawn descriptions, talking of one thing to quickly change to another. I often found myself wondering where an idea came from or where it was suppose to fit in. There is also a randomness of the stories as a collection; the first five stories and the last three stories have a very different feel. The first five are centered more in time and the last three gets us through quite a few decades. The attempt to connect the stories by Cymbeline showing up in some way in all of them was interesting and help me get through the book in the end.
luck_a's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
lola425's review
4.0
I loved the feminist aspect of the stories, that they were based on real photographers, and the vignette/short storytelliing style. It was reminiscent of the Emma Donoghue collection, Astray. That said, I think Donoghue did a more masterful job with historical material. While I enjoyed Otto's stories, I found ti hard to distinguish between the different women. They seemed so similar as to be indistinguishable. But still I cannot help but get behind any book with such a strong feminist focus.
swamp_wytch's review
2.0
I liked the idea and the historical aspects that were in the stories. What bothered me was that while there were some really interesting places that the stories could have gone, it seemed to always end up centering around a man or relationship in their life, rather than the ridiculously interesting female character that had been created.
malagajames's review
2.0
I became bored with the book halfway through. I finished because I hoped it would get more interesting. Too much research, not enough character development. And the women seemed the same though the time periods they lived in varied.
mandolinsbooks's review
2.0
I won a free copy of this book on Goodreads Firstreads. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Firstreads!
I honestly really struggled to make it through this book. There was never a clear plot and the characters were unrelatable to me. I found this book a little boring. I think this book would be well suited for people interested in the history of photography. Unfortunately, it was not my cup of tea.
I honestly really struggled to make it through this book. There was never a clear plot and the characters were unrelatable to me. I found this book a little boring. I think this book would be well suited for people interested in the history of photography. Unfortunately, it was not my cup of tea.
divad785's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but some of the stories seemed rushed & misplaced. I also thought that more of the stories were going to intertwine. It only seems like Cymbeline Kelly was a recurring character. One of the stories that I loved left me with so many unanswered questions. I wasn't sure what happened next. Overall it was good, but not the best that I've read.
lorimca's review against another edition
2.0
Loved the writing, but I never will be a fan of short stories. I take too much time trying to figure out how they will/do connect. The connections didn't always happen in this book.
angarena's review against another edition
2.0
Eight separate stories about women photographers
Theme: Struggle to be stay connected to their art vs domestic obligations and lack of support
Verdict: Too much telling not enough showing
Final impression: Underdeveloped
Theme: Struggle to be stay connected to their art vs domestic obligations and lack of support
Verdict: Too much telling not enough showing
Final impression: Underdeveloped