bldinmt's review against another edition
5.0
There were so many stories in this collection that I would love to read expanded into a full-length novel form! But, sometimes a short story is all you need and they're arguably more thought-provoking in this short format.
rcthomas's review against another edition
4.0
Great collection of short stories about issues from the present and possible futures of American life. Some are more fanciful than others but they all speak to important socio-political/cultural issues. Only downside is that some of them (and the issues they address) can be so prescient that I had to put down the book for a bit before continuing onto the next story, sorta like watching Black Mirror episodes.
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed every story and loved several of them. What a hopeful take on the hole we are digging ourselves into. Loved “The Bookstore at the End of America,” “The Wall” (apparently written before we all found out about child separation and therefore prophetic?), “Calendar Girls,” “O.1” (set in Philly), “Good News, Bad News,” “ROME,” (which reminded me of the PDE’s directions in the event a fire alarm goes off while kids are taking the test: gather the tests and don’t leave them out of your sight), “Now Wait For This Week,” “A History of Barbed Wire.” Every story was good, if not great.
henren's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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
4.25
books_and_keys's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
meatthins's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
catterwaul's review against another edition
3.0
Some great and some meh in the collection. Maria Dahvana Headley’s “Read After Burning” was the standout of the collection.
audiobookish's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
a collection of short stories that will leave you thinking
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
brandon8154's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0