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cailynreadsbooks's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A collection of short stories, each featuring a trans woman main character. Most of them focus on relationships and sexuality. They're all really good, but the standout for me was "Obsolution," a story that's cut up into several parts and is revisited throughout the book. The second-to-last story, "Enough Trouble," was unfortunately a bit of a slog to get through, but you may attribute this to my inability to focus. I found the main character of that one likeable & somewhat relatable (for better or worse), and it all came together in the end, so I'm not complaining.
A lot of stuff in these stories hit pretty close to home for me (which is something I often don't get out of fiction), and it quickly became obvious that this is not something I could read at work (crying while at work is a bad look, as it turns out).
A lot of stuff in these stories hit pretty close to home for me (which is something I often don't get out of fiction), and it quickly became obvious that this is not something I could read at work (crying while at work is a bad look, as it turns out).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
I am familiar with framing devices in short story collections, but the second time "Absolution" appeared I was surprised because I thought it had been a one-off story of a person navigating a relationship and the possibility that it wasn’t quite what he wanted. Then, a couple of stories later, "Absolution" appeared again with the next chapter of his life. It formed a refrain, a transformational core, running through the heart of this collection, allowing for a slow unfolding and twisting of story in a single character. I let each of the various segments of what eventually is her life get to stand alone, having room to breathe, allowing for a transformation across decades in a way that would normally be harder to get across in a short story. There are many ways of being trans, and of being a trans woman. Most of these stories focus on trans women navigating relationships and interpersonal interactions in a way that’s very focused on their underlying thoughts and feelings to whatever degree they’re able to process or express them. Some stories take place over years or even decades, and others occur in just a few days.
Some of the stories convey the shifting weirdness of existing in a body that changes in ways which other people aren’t expecting, and the range of reactions to that reality. People living lives that are shaped by this thing that they have in common, told in a manner that allows for meandering meandering and blurriness around the edges. This is an absorbing and fascinating collection, and I highly recommend it.
Some of the stories convey the shifting weirdness of existing in a body that changes in ways which other people aren’t expecting, and the range of reactions to that reality. People living lives that are shaped by this thing that they have in common, told in a manner that allows for meandering meandering and blurriness around the edges. This is an absorbing and fascinating collection, and I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent, and War
"Hazel and Christopher" - Moderate CW for grief, sexual content, alcohol, alcoholism, homophobia, transphobia, lesbophobia, violence. Minor CW for vomit, suicide, parental death, death. "Absolution" - Moderate CW for cursing, sexual content, sexual assault, homophobia, transphobia, alcohol, vomit, drug use. "Perfect Places" - Graphic CW for sexual content. Moderate CW for dysmorphia, dysphoria, transphobia. Minor CW for vomit. “Couldn’t Hear You Talk Anymore” - Moderate CW for transphobia, misgendering, alcohol, eating disorder, self harm, suicide attempt. “Rose City, City of Roses” - Moderate CW for grief, sexual content, pandemic, death. “Enough Trouble” - Graphic CW for sexual content, alcohol, alcoholism. Minor CW for transphobia, war, rape.pizzasprite's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Plett is a master of creating intimate, personable characters revolving around both cozy and challenging situations. Her characters are deeply flawed, but also so lovable and sympathetic. If I have one criticism, it's that all the short stories began to blend together after a while. I think Plett's writing really shines when she carves out enough space for her characters to really flesh themselves out, such as in Little Fish. I really enjoyed the interspersed stories of Vera, and almost wish the whole book had been just that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
liteartha's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- 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
4.0
this was a gem. casey plett's an absolute stunner at crafting intimate, personal, and organic stories. all focused on the lives of trans women across canada and several US states, each story felt so incredibly grounded in both setting and each character's personal voice.
on a structural level, i was a particular fan of the way this collection was pieced together with certain stories broken into parts that were interspersed throughout the book and others in succinct single doses. i'm not sure i've ever encountered that before but i'd be very happy to encounter it again. the audiobook, read by the author, was also great. plett is a talented reader and truly brings her characters and prose to life.
leaving off with a gorgeous quote i've done by best to transcribe (though admittedly may not have quite right, given the audio format)
on a structural level, i was a particular fan of the way this collection was pieced together with certain stories broken into parts that were interspersed throughout the book and others in succinct single doses. i'm not sure i've ever encountered that before but i'd be very happy to encounter it again. the audiobook, read by the author, was also great. plett is a talented reader and truly brings her characters and prose to life.
leaving off with a gorgeous quote i've done by best to transcribe (though admittedly may not have quite right, given the audio format)
vera could never tell another breathing creature how replete her bones were, how full of undirected forgiveness.
thank you to netgalley, arsenal pulp press, and bespeak audio editions for providing this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Vomit
wenwanzhao's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
3.75
Interesting collection of short stories about trans women. Really opens your mind and makes you think.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Vomit, and Dysphoria
Minor: Drug use, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent