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jadelianne's review against another edition
5.0
This book mesmerized me. I don't know how she did it, but Gowdy managed to take all sorts of grisly, grotesque and downright heart-wrenching subject matter and make it beautiful and even occasionally romantic.
I can't think of a single story that I found particularly weak. I felt this was a really strong collection, and one that I won't soon forget.
I can't think of a single story that I found particularly weak. I felt this was a really strong collection, and one that I won't soon forget.
emilycait's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I could give this more than five stars. This collection of short stories blew me away. Normally there are one or two stories in a collection that 'grab' me, but every single one of these short stories is one that I want to reread. The characters are haunting and disturbing and fascinating. And I just can't stop thinking about them.
sarahconnor89757's review against another edition
5.0
There are fantastic stories in here like the beautiful necrophiliac or the two headed man personifying good and evil, but my favorite story was the one about the foster children. Gowdy told the story in a beautiful and loving way that made it far more arresting then other pieces I've read like it in which the authors try to be shocking.
ventriloquist's review against another edition
4.0
Where do I begin, oh my gosh.
‘We So Seldom Look on Love’ is, at its core, an exploration of comfort, pain and obsession.
I feel empathetic towards quite a few subjects of these short stories whom find solace in the most transgressive of acts and who are, as a natural consequence, utterly isolated. This in itself is a feat, considering how primitively disturbing some of the short stories were.
But, in my opinion, the book is not given value by its ability to ‘lull’ you into a person’s frame of mind and elicit sympathy, but by the uneasiness that that process invokes. In other words, i think there is inherent value in feeling discomfort because, at the risk of sounding pseudo-intellectual and fake deep, it is only through juxtaposition that we can truely appreciate any facet of life. (Darkness only exists in the absence of light, no?)
Overall:
‘We So Seldom Look on Love’ is not an easy read by any means. It doesn’t hide behind veneers of political correctness or purple prose; it details events in a straightforwardness that is blistering and ... refreshing, at times.
‘We So Seldom Look on Love’ is, at its core, an exploration of comfort, pain and obsession.
I feel empathetic towards quite a few subjects of these short stories whom find solace in the most transgressive of acts and who are, as a natural consequence, utterly isolated. This in itself is a feat, considering how primitively disturbing some of the short stories were.
But, in my opinion, the book is not given value by its ability to ‘lull’ you into a person’s frame of mind and elicit sympathy, but by the uneasiness that that process invokes. In other words, i think there is inherent value in feeling discomfort because, at the risk of sounding pseudo-intellectual and fake deep, it is only through juxtaposition that we can truely appreciate any facet of life. (Darkness only exists in the absence of light, no?)
Overall:
‘We So Seldom Look on Love’ is not an easy read by any means. It doesn’t hide behind veneers of political correctness or purple prose; it details events in a straightforwardness that is blistering and ... refreshing, at times.
tumbly_weed's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly disturbing, well written, and at times quite beautiful. This book deals with abhorrent topics such as necrophilia in a manner that elicits compassion for the characters and the world at large which deals with such characters. Caution must be taken, especially if you're very imaginative, as this book could deeply scar you.
Why four stars, not five? Because although it was a good piece of work, great even, it was not very palatable. I didn't enjoy reading it, although I enjoyed Gowdy's skill. I would never read it again, let alone recommend it to many people, but I would love to read something less violent by her.
Why four stars, not five? Because although it was a good piece of work, great even, it was not very palatable. I didn't enjoy reading it, although I enjoyed Gowdy's skill. I would never read it again, let alone recommend it to many people, but I would love to read something less violent by her.
mattm's review against another edition
4.0
Most common word in other people's review of this book of sort stories: disturbing. Second most common word: touching. That about sums it up.
I was reminded a lot of Katherine Dunn's "Geek Love." This is also the story of freaks, and how they find ways to live and love despite being at the fringes of society: a girl with four legs, a blind girl with a disfiguring birthmark and a crack-baby little sister, an exhibitionist, a nymphomaniac, a necrophile. All very interesting. This book will stick with you.
I was reminded a lot of Katherine Dunn's "Geek Love." This is also the story of freaks, and how they find ways to live and love despite being at the fringes of society: a girl with four legs, a blind girl with a disfiguring birthmark and a crack-baby little sister, an exhibitionist, a nymphomaniac, a necrophile. All very interesting. This book will stick with you.