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rberdan's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This collection of stories felt as beautifully written as it was difficult to read. I have to give it to the author… each of the stories sucked me in by page 3, they made me feel viscerally on behalf of or alongside the women’s experiences, and they were almost lyrical in their treatment of their natural settings.
While I know short stories have a particular structure, these were hard for me to read because they were small glimpses into a bleak existence and in so many cases took me to an edge where I hoped there would be resolution that never came. That may well have been the intention, and well done; it was hard to read without a balance of resolution or joy.
A tough read, well executed.
While I know short stories have a particular structure, these were hard for me to read because they were small glimpses into a bleak existence and in so many cases took me to an edge where I hoped there would be resolution that never came. That may well have been the intention, and well done; it was hard to read without a balance of resolution or joy.
A tough read, well executed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Abortion and Pregnancy
schausjk's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I often enjoy a good collection of short stories, but this was a hard one for me to get through because it was so unrelentingly bleak. There were a few stories there that were noteworthy to me, but a lot of the others just kind of blended together into this haze of unhappy cisgender heterosexual domestic life. So much of it just seemed to revolve around disappointment with your husband, cheating or being cheated on, and the pressures of motherhood in a way that was really boring to me. Most of the male characters seemed to lack any redeeming or even fascinating qualities in a way that made me wonder why the women would care about them at all. That being said, I really enjoyed the sense of place that this series of short stories imparted, and there are a few stories I'll likely remember moving forward.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion and Pregnancy
hannahbailey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
An interesting if bleak short-story collection. Not one for those looking to escape the misery of normal life as every story is a mirror to the woes of humanity. Might appeal to those wanting to read more Irish literature.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free e arc in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free e arc in exchange for an honest review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
lianne_rooney's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
becca_thegrimreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A wonderful collection of short stories, each one more than capable of standing on their own. I found them to be utterly magical, with a mystical quality that captivated me from the very beginning. Many of the stories have elements of Irish folklore, nature, or our countries' past with themes such as alcoholism, depression, and grief being explored.
In "The End of the World is a Cul de Sac" we learn of a woman who has been abandoned by her property developer husband in the ghost estate he funded. While in "Wolf Point" (one of my personal favourites) a father looks after his daughter while his wife is suffering from depression. These stories focus more on the harsh and bleak realities of life. A spellbinding collection that I would recommend anyone to read.
In "The End of the World is a Cul de Sac" we learn of a woman who has been abandoned by her property developer husband in the ghost estate he funded. While in "Wolf Point" (one of my personal favourites) a father looks after his daughter while his wife is suffering from depression. These stories focus more on the harsh and bleak realities of life. A spellbinding collection that I would recommend anyone to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy