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hal_stelzle's review against another edition
2.0
Some stories in this I really liked (first 2, Something that Needs Nothing, This Person) but many were not for me and went too off the rails too often (and usually in a similar way). Was expecting this to be funnier all the way through as well, but truly most of the stories are quite sad, strange, and uncomfortable. Sad and strange isn't always a bad thing but not what I was expecting and not my favorite. Definitely check content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, and Sexual content
merebear87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, and Rape
aaishareadss's review against another edition
some of the stories made me uncomfortable and others were quite funny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual content
maekay's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
Short story collections tend to have a few great stories, a few bad ones, and a lot of meh ones. This collection has two good ones and the rest was a flaming pile of uncomfortable sh*t. The few gems in this collection can't save it from the blatant attempt at provocation/edgy-ness that relies on borderline incest, ephebophilia, exclusively abusive queer relationships, and Asian racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Animal death
nicmilt's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Rape
wikxoxo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was lead to believe that this would be weird in a quirky and funny way, but it wasn't. It was dark and weird and odd in a way that I hadn't expected, but that I could learn to appreciate. If you're going to read any of the stories, read 'The Boy from Lam Kien' and 'How to Tell Stories to Children'. The rest of this - to paraphrase Wes Anderson - is worthless garbage
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
gius's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia
marrrk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
sofilduarte's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
ciwanski's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don’t really read short stories but I picked this one up for some reason. Maybe a recommendation? I can’t remember. It’s a pretty quick read, the stories move at a nice pace. I personally had to space out this book because some of the stories, especially the first half, made me feel so desolate and exhausted.
I want to do more research on July to see what has inspired her to write these stories. I wonder why many of them have themes of pedophilia.
I think my favorite stories were This Person, Something That Needs Nothing and How To Tell Stories To Children.
I think July’s writing encapsulates the complex simplicities of being human and interacting with lives we didn’t ask for and the people in them. The whole book felt like a never-ending transitional period and made me yearn for change in my own life. Some stories were also a little disturbing and yucky and made me feel things that I don’t normally feel. An interesting book to read to feel things beyond joy and sadness.
I want to do more research on July to see what has inspired her to write these stories. I wonder why many of them have themes of pedophilia.
I think my favorite stories were This Person, Something That Needs Nothing and How To Tell Stories To Children.
I think July’s writing encapsulates the complex simplicities of being human and interacting with lives we didn’t ask for and the people in them. The whole book felt like a never-ending transitional period and made me yearn for change in my own life. Some stories were also a little disturbing and yucky and made me feel things that I don’t normally feel. An interesting book to read to feel things beyond joy and sadness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual content