bethiclaus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
vi0letsunshine29's review against another edition
5.0
A quick easy read of stories that aren’t always related but also very much could be related which kept every story fresh and interesting! Collins’ writing is so beautiful I felt like I knew each character so well even if the story was only a few pages long. Some stories felt like a script which I really enjoyed! Real good stuff, if you want to read some interesting well written short stories I would definitely recommend this one!
amb614's review against another edition
5.0
Wow... This collection. What to say? I adored how Collins plays with her characters and the structure of her stories. No two are the same and they are all a complete delight. First book in a while that I can't wait to read again. Stunning!
glendaleereads's review against another edition
3.0
Short little gem but great powerful prose in some areas. Enjoyed this.
mayormccheese's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cobydillon14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_readwithash's review against another edition
3.0
This is a hard collection for me to rate. For one, I'm really trying to learn to love short fiction, but I still struggle with it. For another, this was published posthumously, and I think the collection suffers from that. I'm making assumptions, but I think it lacks a central theme and some more serious editing, because it was never explicitly made to be published.
That said, some of these short stories are really beautiful. There is a great perspective on what it means to be Black in America, especially in the 60s, although the themes are definitely still relevant today.
Ultimately, this is a small book that throws a few really big punches, and while it will never be one of my favorite pieces, I do recommend it.
That said, some of these short stories are really beautiful. There is a great perspective on what it means to be Black in America, especially in the 60s, although the themes are definitely still relevant today.
Ultimately, this is a small book that throws a few really big punches, and while it will never be one of my favorite pieces, I do recommend it.
ericarf's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent collection of short stories speaking on the experiences of African-Americans in the 1970s. Sad that Collins died so young!
I read this book as part of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge, for the category "read a collection of short stories written by a woman."
I read this book as part of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge, for the category "read a collection of short stories written by a woman."