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beccaattiffanys's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lambsears's review against another edition
5.0
Wow - just wow.
I wasn't a fan of historical fiction - until I read Wolf Hall & couldn't put it down. Now I have to say the same about short stories. Didn't really love them all that much but Hilary has swayed me again.
These stories are tightly written and sharp - so sharp they sting. There are no words wasted and each tale leaves the reader feeling at least a little bit unsettled and disquieted.
Once again, I couldn't take my nose out until it was all over - all too soon.
I wasn't a fan of historical fiction - until I read Wolf Hall & couldn't put it down. Now I have to say the same about short stories. Didn't really love them all that much but Hilary has swayed me again.
These stories are tightly written and sharp - so sharp they sting. There are no words wasted and each tale leaves the reader feeling at least a little bit unsettled and disquieted.
Once again, I couldn't take my nose out until it was all over - all too soon.
meet_cute_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
A mixed bag, like most short story collections. They definitely improved as the book went along. This was the first of Mantel's work that I've read and I do like her style.
kristianawithak's review against another edition
3.0
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I read it, not listened to it. Short stories are so compact and nuanced it's hard to soak everything in while listening. I liked the title story most of all, and a few others stuck out.
noel_rene_cisneros's review against another edition
4.0
Cuentos juguetones e inteligentes en los que Mantel explora su propia condición como escritora, en el temor a que sus diarios fueran descubiertos si muriera mientras estaba fuera de casa o se enfrenta al acoso de un compañero de trabajo de su esposo con un bagaje cultural muy diferente al suyo (al tiempo que bebe el café con jóvenes adineradas árabes para quienes es impensable que ella sea escritora o tenga un agente), o que ayuda al asesino de Margaret Thatcher a cumplir su cometido.
elisabeth7291's review against another edition
2.0
After reading short stories by Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood, these were just so-so. Most didn't keep my attention at all, and the few that did were only meh.
jfaberrit's review against another edition
3.0
Having loved Wolf Hall, and still looking forward to Bring Up the Bodies, I have to say I was somewhat disappointed by this collection, and was really only impressed by the first and last stories. The first is a well-written cross-cultural piece about a woman dealing with the limitations of living in Saudi Arabia and a persistent neighbor; the last is an alternative history that really was a fascinating exploration of characters and their motives, even if the title (which it shares with the collection) was designed to invite controversy. The strength of the book is Mantel's wit, and her unfailing ability to write Englishly about all things English (at least to an American ear). Sometimes it is BBC Englishness, sometimes the kind you used to find on PBS, but always quintessentially the kind of thing that makes you want to "Keep Calm and Carry On" while watching cricket and drinking tea.
That said, O am wholly unconvinced that Mantel is much of a genre writer. Most of these stories shade towards horror/gothic in one way or another, and I can't say they do a particularly good job of it. Horror without suspense doesn't really land properly, and the lack of tension makes most of these stories fall flat. Thankfully, her historical novels are brilliant, so I don't think she has much to worry about.
That said, O am wholly unconvinced that Mantel is much of a genre writer. Most of these stories shade towards horror/gothic in one way or another, and I can't say they do a particularly good job of it. Horror without suspense doesn't really land properly, and the lack of tension makes most of these stories fall flat. Thankfully, her historical novels are brilliant, so I don't think she has much to worry about.
ccdmiller's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0