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nina_reads_books's review against another edition
3.0
She is Haunted by Paige Clarke is a debut collection of short stories that are linked thematically rather than through the characters or plot. Themes of difficult mother/daughter relationships, Asian identity, intergenerational trauma and female friendships and desire are explored across eighteen stories.
The first few stories were quite odd and almost baffling. I did find that I fell into more of a rhythm with them a few stories in and found them easier to read. The author is Chinese/American born and now lives in Australia so it was interesting to see stories set across both countries, with most told from the perspective of a Chinese woman. The stories were sometimes witty and at times surreal.
The writing style is almost detached which is really effective but overall I just found that I didn’t connect with many of the stories. Or maybe connect is the wrong word? I think I struggled to get to the heart of what the stories were trying to convey which I think was probably more about me than about the skills of the author.
While it didn’t quite work for me it might work for you! So if you do pick up She is Haunted I’d love to hear what you thought about it.
Thanks so much to @allenandunwin for my #freegift copy.
The first few stories were quite odd and almost baffling. I did find that I fell into more of a rhythm with them a few stories in and found them easier to read. The author is Chinese/American born and now lives in Australia so it was interesting to see stories set across both countries, with most told from the perspective of a Chinese woman. The stories were sometimes witty and at times surreal.
The writing style is almost detached which is really effective but overall I just found that I didn’t connect with many of the stories. Or maybe connect is the wrong word? I think I struggled to get to the heart of what the stories were trying to convey which I think was probably more about me than about the skills of the author.
While it didn’t quite work for me it might work for you! So if you do pick up She is Haunted I’d love to hear what you thought about it.
Thanks so much to @allenandunwin for my #freegift copy.
kelamity_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A collection of 18 stories, thematically linked yet very distinct, written by a Chinese/Australian/American author.
The stories touch on themes of loss, love, fetishization, racism, abuse, and especially the complex relationship between mothers and daughters.
It's told like a collection of memories, and whilst I didn't understand all of them, I still found each one intriguing and mesmerising in its own way.
The stories touch on themes of loss, love, fetishization, racism, abuse, and especially the complex relationship between mothers and daughters.
It's told like a collection of memories, and whilst I didn't understand all of them, I still found each one intriguing and mesmerising in its own way.
soupwitch86's review against another edition
4.0
Some of these stories will legit haunt me. Beautiful book, poetic prose, read like personal essays which are a fave.
moon17's review against another edition
4.0
read this book about 2 years ago and i still think of it. one of the books that helped me get back into reading
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hmmm. i think some of these stories were great, and others were pretty bad. that is the struggle with short story collections. i think maybe this just wasn’t for me to completely get? i think some people would adore this though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Mental illness, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Grief, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
james10's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5