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sarahlouisely's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
julipetric's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gladosisreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This collection was a real mixed bag that came together to paint one brilliant picture. Whilst I loved most of the short story concepts (and even their ordering as a collection, which I felt added to the overall portrait of the Northwest and the complexities of human relationship being painted), the writing style in some felt a bit repetitive and started to drag.
There were some stand out poignant moments across the collection, but other sections irked me for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe some of the stories just weren't for me!
That being said, I really loved 'After the Denim' and 'Everything Stuck to Him' in particular.
There were some stand out poignant moments across the collection, but other sections irked me for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe some of the stories just weren't for me!
That being said, I really loved 'After the Denim' and 'Everything Stuck to Him' in particular.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
sosopablo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A moving exploration on the complexity of human relationships and how personal flaws can disrupt those relationships.
sarahdrh's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Well, this was depressing. I’m sure there’s a lot more to it, but I didn’t enjoy it. The title story was the only good one in my opinion. Great writing abilities in terms of looking in to other people’s lives. Stories that I’m sure are supposed to make you think and wonder, just like the characters in them are made to do.
hiyacht's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by my pal Noah Marger.
Love his imagery, his characters and his emotional resonance.
Truly literary classics
Only complaint are the endings leave me wishing for more, maybe a carthasis of some kind. But on further reflection, it makes perfect sense.
The idealized ending is never truly realized, just like in real life. Reality is far more messy and raw than fiction and so are these compilation of shorts.
Love his imagery, his characters and his emotional resonance.
Truly literary classics
Only complaint are the endings leave me wishing for more, maybe a carthasis of some kind. But on further reflection, it makes perfect sense.
The idealized ending is never truly realized, just like in real life. Reality is far more messy and raw than fiction and so are these compilation of shorts.
suavedaddy69's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
cottia's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
francosteen's review against another edition
I read Short Cuts, which is a collection of his shorts that were compiled in the eponymous movie. LOVED that collection so I figured I should love the rest of his work.
I got about halfway, and just…liked everything…ok. The ones I read just seemed so much slower than the ones chosen for Short Cuts. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for them now, especially since I’m reading three other books 🫣.
I’ll try it again another time.
I got about halfway, and just…liked everything…ok. The ones I read just seemed so much slower than the ones chosen for Short Cuts. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for them now, especially since I’m reading three other books 🫣.
I’ll try it again another time.
havingacokewithyou's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
a concise exploration of all the ways we hurt and are hurt by the ones we love most. i think the short story form suited the content well here; it’s not treading new ground but something about seeing snippets of the same topic explored several times worked well here. that said, it did feel like it spoke to a particular kind of white suburban nuclear family malaise—effective, sure, but very specific and i could why it wouldn’t land for everyone