cipactl1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
quintos's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.75
i really liked how cohesive this short story collection. each story was its own world, but roughly in the same geographic area and time period. Benjamin has a talent for making beautiful prose even when describing perilous moments or tense scenes. the only thing keeping me from rating 5 stars is that the themes of the story repeat so much it becomes hard to keep the stories distinct, which may have been an intentional choice on his part. Benjamin gives such life to his characters, though, no matter what situation they are living in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
paiki's review
4.0
There is a lot of similarity between all of Sáenz characters but I am still in love with them, and his writing style and his stories captivate me in a way I can't explain.
greencreekwolf's review
5.0
Every Benjamin Alire Sáenj book breaks my heart in a certain way. Well, this one broke it seven times with seven different stories. This was the most realistic and beautiful collection of short stories I have ever read.
bellsbooksandwritings's review
4.0
This collection of seven stories was really beautiful and really depressing at the same time. Each story felt very real, and they all had a surprising twist at the end. When I started the last story I was convinced I was finally able to predict how it would end-I was wrong! (Thank goodness, I was wrong!!)
The only 'problem' I had with this book was that at some point it seemed like the stories started to blur into each other (maybe this was exactly why it was so good? I have to think about this...), which made it a little confusing, but only a little.
The only 'problem' I had with this book was that at some point it seemed like the stories started to blur into each other (maybe this was exactly why it was so good? I have to think about this...), which made it a little confusing, but only a little.
natesea's review
4.0
This is a powerful collection of familial stories, loss, and survival. Though not a light, summer beach read, the writing is beautiful and the characters feel real. A few of the stories here are amazing, but the collection as a whole is memorable. The book's pages feel great to hold as well - kudos to the publisher.
beaupedia's review
2.0
Really should've been called "Everyone Dies at the Kentucky Club". Just terrible. Something doesn't have to be tragic and sad to be meaningful, certainly not over and over again, story after story. I finished this a couple months ago and am still annoyed that I wasted the time to do so. Sad doesn't automatically equal deep. We can do better than this.