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gw7's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I'm not one for short stories, but read this after reading Liveship Traders.
Overall it was a nice collection, good to sit down with. Hobb over Lindholm is definitely my preference. There was quite a homely feel to the collection overall, along with the introductions it was kind of like the author sitting you down to read you a story still in her notebook, rocking back and forth in her chair before the fire. Those are the vibes.
Saw a few reviewers doing this and I found it fun to compare so, ratings:
5*- Cat's Meat
4.5*- Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man, Strays
4*- The Fifth Squished Cat, Homecoming, The Inheritance
3.5*- Drum Machine
2.5*- A Touch of Lavendar, Finis
2*- Cut
Lindholm:
A Touch of Lavender (2.5)- I was quite worried starting off with this one, I have to say, it being my first reading of Lindholm. I found it hard rating it low after finishing it, but it just wasn't for me. I don't tend to like things from kids' perspectives anyway, and the setting is one that doesn't generally appeal to me either. It... was a good story... and message... and plot to think about, especially at the end... which is why it was hard to rate it low but overall I just found it slow and predictable and not really to interesting. So not a hit for me.
Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man (4.5)- This however I loved. I withheld the full 5 because I tend to rate things based on whether they achieved what they set out to, and how well they did that... well this one was so nebulous and kind of playful that it was really hard to rate based on that (not a bad thing) so instead I went purely based on enjoyment. While I would, and think I probably will, read the whole collection again (barring a few) this is one of 3 or 4 stories that it would not be too soon to reread straight after finishing. I really loved it. Something about it, and the world. It does just have that marvelous playful quality that only masterful writers can spin out a world and a narrative in. Almost like I couldn't tell you what we were told and what we weren't- what parts of the world were revealed and which we only sensed, what parts of the characters' lives were written down, and which I just feel like I know having only lived with them for such a short while. Not a perfect story by any means, but I really really enjoyed it.
Cut (2)- Meh. Fine. Short. But we know this, right? And I also don't really care to read creative writing pieces about this. I will say, I didn't find it as skewed a bias in the grandmother's direction as did other reviewers; I found it more a commentary on every character in that story and all of their thought processes. But yeah, fine. Would have been equally fine never having read it.
The Fifth Squashed Cat (4)- Ok here's where we get freaky. But I did really enjoy this one. And I think it's at this point I get a firmer grasp on the elements of Lindholm's writing that I enjoy. It's when what's focused on is so minuscule and irreverent, but a big sucker punch of thoughts and ideas is shoved right smack bang in the middle of your eye line... and told, again, in such a playful, almost lilting sort of narrative that touches up and down as it pleases, with seemingly little regard for the onlooker. I enjoyed the reading experience, and I got emotional at the impact of what we were left with and the meaning at the end... and yet I look back and smile on it? I'll think about this every now and again, possibly for the rest of my life. Another one I am drawn to reread immediately.
Strays (4.5)- I originally gave this one 4.75, but immediately knew I like Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man more, so evened them both out to 4.5. Which is impressive since I don't tend to like stories about, or told from the perspective of, kids. Again, it's just this playful style, touching down with little places and characters before arking off again. But then with this one it is also the story. Somewhat you can see it coming, yes... but just so nice? In this kind of fireside storytelling vibe, it was almost like the reader was safe to believe everything written- was drawn in as a child, and experienced the end as one also. Also just a good look at the adults in the story and, again, so much told with so little- I feel like the main girl's mum is such a memorable character, because I know that person! But yeah, initial premise was so nice, and cool, and the intrigue was high, and it was like everything was taken away at the reveal- the child's pov was a truly masterful touch. Would. Read. Again.
Finis (2.5)- I had to flick back through to remember this one. I think I didn't feel like Cut was necessary, hence the two (though I realise it was written a while ago), but... I didn't feel like this one was... good? I was holding within myself this sense of tension and edge and horror and intrigue, because I felt that's what was trying to be portrayed... but I feel like it could have been a 4/4.5 star if... we'd just stuck with the handyman and these irritating clients with their own personal business were going about their weird routines around him? Or maybe I just like handyman work! But as it was, again, just kinda over done? This upright contractor guy who 'what my clients do is their business, I'll get it done and get on my way and not ask any questions', the client and that man... yeah? And? Ok. Cause then at the end, even that could have been the story told, but I feel like we weren't given enough morals to think about with that info drip. It was just a plot point info drip. Which was fine. I just would have preferred to hear more about the guy digging the hole and fixing the gate and whatever. But that's me. I'm sure others will like this.
Drum Machine (3.5)- I don't know why this one hit. By any mark this is a standard story and nothing new happens. But I liked the scene we start out on, and i happily read it, but then the scene at the end stuck with me. Again, again, I think it was just the artistry with which we dropped into this man's life. Maybe the contrast between his customer service engagement- of which we are all too familiar with dropping into people's lives in that sort of way for that sort of time frame- to then cut to this deeply intimate and profound moment, emotion and character motivations beautifully displayed therein, within a society so heavily monitored and regimented. Also with characters whose views were so expertly penned. Another excellent choice being told from the perspective it was. I wanna read it again, but with my knowledge of the plot I'm like, 'why?'... But I do!
Hobb:
Homecoming (4)- One where I'm judging based on if it did what it meant to do? And, yeah. It's nice to have. Really. And it's one I think I'll appreciate and come back to as I spend more time in the Realm. But mainly it's scoring high because of the beautifully displayed, completely realistic character portrayal and development, which Hobb always does so well. It's not the type of story I tend to enjoy, but I cannot argue with it. It was quite long for the Rainwilds info we were getting, but the character development demanded it, and I wasn't mad about it. Short story? Some authors call that a book, Robin, and sell it as such. But we appreciate you ;)
The Inheritance (4)- Guess what? I enjoyed it for how gracefully bouncy it was. Hard, hard hitting subjects, much more so that the others I enjoyed a lot- but almost because of the length you got swept up in the motion and the drive more. You cared more. But I don't have a lot to say. I think I'll think of this as I continue in the Realm of the Elderlings.
Cat's Meat (5)- Yeah, it was good, wasn't it? Again, really not the type of story I tend to enjoy (domestic violence+abuse content warning). Man it was hard hitting. But a Hobb story in every aspect. Almost thriller-esque with the length, though, which is very interesting considering how familiar the subject matter is to the bigger books. Again, the length increased the tension 10 fold? I don't know. I don't *want* to read it again because of the subject matter... but I do want to read it again. Just the setting and the little house and the farmstead. Gorgeous. Hobb's writing I just love, also.
Overall it was a nice collection, good to sit down with. Hobb over Lindholm is definitely my preference. There was quite a homely feel to the collection overall, along with the introductions it was kind of like the author sitting you down to read you a story still in her notebook, rocking back and forth in her chair before the fire. Those are the vibes.
Saw a few reviewers doing this and I found it fun to compare so, ratings:
5*- Cat's Meat
4.5*- Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man, Strays
4*- The Fifth Squished Cat, Homecoming, The Inheritance
3.5*- Drum Machine
2.5*- A Touch of Lavendar, Finis
2*- Cut
Lindholm:
A Touch of Lavender (2.5)- I was quite worried starting off with this one, I have to say, it being my first reading of Lindholm. I found it hard rating it low after finishing it, but it just wasn't for me. I don't tend to like things from kids' perspectives anyway, and the setting is one that doesn't generally appeal to me either. It... was a good story... and message... and plot to think about, especially at the end... which is why it was hard to rate it low but overall I just found it slow and predictable and not really to interesting. So not a hit for me.
Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man (4.5)- This however I loved. I withheld the full 5 because I tend to rate things based on whether they achieved what they set out to, and how well they did that... well this one was so nebulous and kind of playful that it was really hard to rate based on that (not a bad thing) so instead I went purely based on enjoyment. While I would, and think I probably will, read the whole collection again (barring a few) this is one of 3 or 4 stories that it would not be too soon to reread straight after finishing. I really loved it. Something about it, and the world. It does just have that marvelous playful quality that only masterful writers can spin out a world and a narrative in. Almost like I couldn't tell you what we were told and what we weren't- what parts of the world were revealed and which we only sensed, what parts of the characters' lives were written down, and which I just feel like I know having only lived with them for such a short while. Not a perfect story by any means, but I really really enjoyed it.
Cut (2)- Meh. Fine. Short. But we know this, right? And I also don't really care to read creative writing pieces about this. I will say, I didn't find it as skewed a bias in the grandmother's direction as did other reviewers; I found it more a commentary on every character in that story and all of their thought processes. But yeah, fine. Would have been equally fine never having read it.
The Fifth Squashed Cat (4)- Ok here's where we get freaky. But I did really enjoy this one. And I think it's at this point I get a firmer grasp on the elements of Lindholm's writing that I enjoy. It's when what's focused on is so minuscule and irreverent, but a big sucker punch of thoughts and ideas is shoved right smack bang in the middle of your eye line... and told, again, in such a playful, almost lilting sort of narrative that touches up and down as it pleases, with seemingly little regard for the onlooker. I enjoyed the reading experience, and I got emotional at the impact of what we were left with and the meaning at the end... and yet I look back and smile on it? I'll think about this every now and again, possibly for the rest of my life. Another one I am drawn to reread immediately.
Strays (4.5)- I originally gave this one 4.75, but immediately knew I like Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man more, so evened them both out to 4.5. Which is impressive since I don't tend to like stories about, or told from the perspective of, kids. Again, it's just this playful style, touching down with little places and characters before arking off again. But then with this one it is also the story. Somewhat you can see it coming, yes... but just so nice? In this kind of fireside storytelling vibe, it was almost like the reader was safe to believe everything written- was drawn in as a child, and experienced the end as one also. Also just a good look at the adults in the story and, again, so much told with so little- I feel like the main girl's mum is such a memorable character, because I know that person! But yeah, initial premise was so nice, and cool, and the intrigue was high, and it was like everything was taken away at the reveal- the child's pov was a truly masterful touch. Would. Read. Again.
Finis (2.5)- I had to flick back through to remember this one. I think I didn't feel like Cut was necessary, hence the two (though I realise it was written a while ago), but... I didn't feel like this one was... good? I was holding within myself this sense of tension and edge and horror and intrigue, because I felt that's what was trying to be portrayed... but I feel like it could have been a 4/4.5 star if... we'd just stuck with the handyman and these irritating clients with their own personal business were going about their weird routines around him? Or maybe I just like handyman work! But as it was, again, just kinda over done? This upright contractor guy who 'what my clients do is their business, I'll get it done and get on my way and not ask any questions', the client and that man... yeah? And? Ok. Cause then at the end, even that could have been the story told, but I feel like we weren't given enough morals to think about with that info drip. It was just a plot point info drip. Which was fine. I just would have preferred to hear more about the guy digging the hole and fixing the gate and whatever. But that's me. I'm sure others will like this.
Drum Machine (3.5)- I don't know why this one hit. By any mark this is a standard story and nothing new happens. But I liked the scene we start out on, and i happily read it, but then the scene at the end stuck with me. Again, again, I think it was just the artistry with which we dropped into this man's life. Maybe the contrast between his customer service engagement- of which we are all too familiar with dropping into people's lives in that sort of way for that sort of time frame- to then cut to this deeply intimate and profound moment, emotion and character motivations beautifully displayed therein, within a society so heavily monitored and regimented. Also with characters whose views were so expertly penned. Another excellent choice being told from the perspective it was. I wanna read it again, but with my knowledge of the plot I'm like, 'why?'... But I do!
Hobb:
Homecoming (4)- One where I'm judging based on if it did what it meant to do? And, yeah. It's nice to have. Really. And it's one I think I'll appreciate and come back to as I spend more time in the Realm. But mainly it's scoring high because of the beautifully displayed, completely realistic character portrayal and development, which Hobb always does so well. It's not the type of story I tend to enjoy, but I cannot argue with it. It was quite long for the Rainwilds info we were getting, but the character development demanded it, and I wasn't mad about it. Short story? Some authors call that a book, Robin, and sell it as such. But we appreciate you ;)
The Inheritance (4)- Guess what? I enjoyed it for how gracefully bouncy it was. Hard, hard hitting subjects, much more so that the others I enjoyed a lot- but almost because of the length you got swept up in the motion and the drive more. You cared more. But I don't have a lot to say. I think I'll think of this as I continue in the Realm of the Elderlings.
Cat's Meat (5)- Yeah, it was good, wasn't it? Again, really not the type of story I tend to enjoy (domestic violence+abuse content warning). Man it was hard hitting. But a Hobb story in every aspect. Almost thriller-esque with the length, though, which is very interesting considering how familiar the subject matter is to the bigger books. Again, the length increased the tension 10 fold? I don't know. I don't *want* to read it again because of the subject matter... but I do want to read it again. Just the setting and the little house and the farmstead. Gorgeous. Hobb's writing I just love, also.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
readandfindout's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
3.5
Overall rating: 3.5 stars
Lindholm stories: average of 3 stars
A Touch of Lavender: 3.5 stars
The Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man: 3.5 stars
Cut: 2 stars
The Fifth Squashed Cat: 1 star
Strays: 4 stars
Finis: 3.5 stars
Drum Machine: 3.5 stars
Hobb stories: average of 4.25 stars
Homecoming: 4.5 stars
The Inheritance: 4 stars
Cat's Meat: 4.5 stars
Lindholm stories: average of 3 stars
A Touch of Lavender: 3.5 stars
The Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man: 3.5 stars
Cut: 2 stars
The Fifth Squashed Cat: 1 star
Strays: 4 stars
Finis: 3.5 stars
Drum Machine: 3.5 stars
Hobb stories: average of 4.25 stars
Homecoming: 4.5 stars
The Inheritance: 4 stars
Cat's Meat: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual harassment
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Robin Hobb's novels may be among the longest on my shelves (looking at you Liveship Traders trilogy), but this author also knows how to write a short story. When I bought this collection, written under both her pen names, years ago, I first only read the stories by Robin Hobb. I wasn't ready to try her work as Megan Lindholm. Maybe I feared it wouldn't feel the same. Of course it doesn't, but I find it's mostly a matter of setting and rhythm. Megan Lindholm writes fantastical or urban fantasy stories, in a more to-the-point style. And yet there are many similarities. She often features female characters at the cusp of self-discovery or self-affirmation, and will never use world-building to the detriment of her characters. She writes about people first and foremost, and whether the setting is a cottage by the sea in Buck duchy or a slightly different Seatle from the one we know, does not matter that much. I really love this collection, with strong pieces from both Hobb and Lindholm, and would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to sample her prose.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Sexual harassment