gpears1's review against another edition
5.0
clever and cutting writing..the recurring themes in each story about the complexity of mother daughter relationships..yeah that hits..favorites were Light, Buchi’s Girls, and When a man falls from the sky
cstefko's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this short story collection. It's the August book for Kara Brown's online book club (if you're not participating yet, you should!) and I didn't know anything about it going into it, although it was somehow already on my Goodreads TBR (aka the black hole of intentions). I'm glad the book club gave me the impetus to finally pick it up.
Several of the stories have fabulist elements, but I think the ones I appreciated the most were the more straightforward stories of family relationships. Arimah has such a knack for describing grief--both for those who have been lost and those who you're in the process of losing ("Light," perhaps my favorite story, is a great example of the latter). I also admired the way she drew female characters who were utterly complex, both good and bad, and didn't give them any easy narrative outs.
The title story is one of the more dystopian/fantastical stories; unfortunately, I found it to be a little half-baked. On the other hand, the story "Who Will Greet You At Home" has a very unique premise and was much more satisfying. The worldbuilding definitely felt more believable.
I can say that I unequivocally recommend this one, so I won't say too much else about the other stories or even share any of the quotes I loved. Better to experience it fresh. But I'm very much looking forward to the book club discussion!
I would suggest this book particularly to fans of Carmen Maria Machado and Karen Russell.
I really enjoyed this short story collection. It's the August book for Kara Brown's online book club (if you're not participating yet, you should!) and I didn't know anything about it going into it, although it was somehow already on my Goodreads TBR (aka the black hole of intentions). I'm glad the book club gave me the impetus to finally pick it up.
Several of the stories have fabulist elements, but I think the ones I appreciated the most were the more straightforward stories of family relationships. Arimah has such a knack for describing grief--both for those who have been lost and those who you're in the process of losing ("Light," perhaps my favorite story, is a great example of the latter). I also admired the way she drew female characters who were utterly complex, both good and bad, and didn't give them any easy narrative outs.
The title story is one of the more dystopian/fantastical stories; unfortunately, I found it to be a little half-baked. On the other hand, the story "Who Will Greet You At Home" has a very unique premise and was much more satisfying. The worldbuilding definitely felt more believable.
I can say that I unequivocally recommend this one, so I won't say too much else about the other stories or even share any of the quotes I loved. Better to experience it fresh. But I'm very much looking forward to the book club discussion!
I would suggest this book particularly to fans of Carmen Maria Machado and Karen Russell.
kalivha's review against another edition
5.0
A great collection of stories. Ranging from ordinary human stories to the magical and stories about gods, each one was amazing.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
4.0
A varied collection of short stories that range from more realistic to stories with elements from science fiction, fantasy, the supernatural, and folktales--all with a Nigerian tinge (the author describes herself as Nigerian-ish). Most of the stories were fascinating, a few were emotionally powerful, some were painful--and all were well written, although some I needed to read slowly and carefully to figure out what was going on. Overall, a strong, unique new voice, even if I did not love every single one of the stories.
kisaly's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the excellent audiobook, read by Adjoa Andoh. I'm rather particular about short stories and read them rarely, but Arimah has the magic touch and it shines through this entire beautiful (and occasionally brutal) collection. Can't wait to read more from her.
lilyflowers's review against another edition
5.0
I wanted this book of short stories to go on forever so much so I only read half a story a day so as to not finish it. Sadly, it's finished. Each story demanded your full and undivided attention in an arresting manner. If you haven't already read it put it on your #tbr ASAP!
lakerss12's review against another edition
4.0
Collection of short stories. The short stories that were grounded in the family were often incredible. I was very engaged from the first story when it came to the families, for example the story about the young mother raising her daughter as a sister was super compelling as was the story of the widow who works at her sisters house. There were a few Sci-Fi stories which were a bit more mixed in quality, but then did make me want to start reading some Octavia Butler!
lanaadrianne's review against another edition
4.0
Before I started this I didn't really know it was a collection of short stories. So I was confused for the first couple of pages that the stories weren't related. I kept wanting the stories to not end and felt like each one could have been their own book. So I think if you can accomplish that with short stories you have done something right.
dance64's review against another edition
4.0
The Future Looks Good-5
War Stories-2
Wild-2
Light-5
Second Chances-4
Windfalls-2
Who Will Greet You at Home-5
Buchi's Girls-4
What it Means When a Man Falls From the Sky-3
Glory-3
What is a Volcano-5
Redemption-3
War Stories-2
Wild-2
Light-5
Second Chances-4
Windfalls-2
Who Will Greet You at Home-5
Buchi's Girls-4
What it Means When a Man Falls From the Sky-3
Glory-3
What is a Volcano-5
Redemption-3
lauraportalupi's review against another edition
2.0
Sadly another one I couldn’t finish. Voice/vocabulary didn’t match age of characters, poor editing, disjointed narratives.