Reviews

A Perfect Cemetery by Federico Falco

emsemsems's review

4.0

'I’d rather you get me a wheelchair so I could go and see about my garden or visit my chickens, not to see some cemetery.'

The Hares – 5/5
Silvi and Her Dark Night – 4/5
A Perfect Cemetery – 5/5
Forest Life – 5/5
The River – 1/5

I’m gladly surprised by Falco’s collection of short stories – a very enjoyable read, left me craving for more. Fantastic translation work as well. Would’ve given it a full 5-star rating, but the last story lost me entirely. The third story, ‘A Perfect Cemetery’ is a personal favourite. Reading these stories reminds me of the paintings of Frida Kahlo and Dorothea Tanning – obviously weird but also very ordinary when perceived in a different light/angle. I am not familiar with Latin American landscapes, so reading these stories felt all the more surreal to me. I’d love to read more of Falco’s writing – really quite brilliant. Might post a more thorough review later.

kurenzhi's review

3.0

This would probably have been a 4 if the book were only "Silvi and Her Dark Night" and "A Perfect Cemetery," which are both brilliant novelettes. The other three stories, unfortunately, are quite lacking in comparison ("Forest Life" being especially disappointing), though the writer and translator's skills are both quite good in a void. 

hollious's review

dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I don’t have a lot to say about this collection of short stories. None of the characters were particularly loveable which they don’t have to be to make a good story. I’m not sure if it was the translation but something just wasn’t getting through to me. 

thethinkery's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective

4.5

bookishcori's review

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mayapapaya_'s review

4.0

Forest life, 5/5

badger1984's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bethsarah's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

swagtractor73's review

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i think this might have been my first ever collection of short stories book, and also my first book which was translated from another language (outside of school assigned books). and really good surprisingly considering how i just chosed it cause the cover was pretty 

sunflowersandpomegranates's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0