Reviews

Amor and Psycho by Carolyn Cooke

kelsitaylor's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

I honestly don’t think I could tell you anything about this book, I absorbed nothing 

capotan's review against another edition

4.0

Poor reviews of this book will say that it is “trying to be edgy” or “has no substance”

Can’t people enjoy something that isn’t trying to tackle huge life issues of human experiences?

The stories are immensely entertaining and Cooke has such a strong narrative voice.

It’s a book of stories that exist for the sake of just existing and I loved it.

moirastone's review against another edition

3.0

Before everything, let me praise the design of the first edition hardcover. That cartoon BLAT for the "o" of Psycho? A brilliant echo of the punch some of these stories have in store for the reader.

Which is not to say that I think this is Carolyn Cooke's best work. She adopts a cool tone here, as if this is reportage instead of fiction. I was reminded of The Children's Hospital and of May We Be Forgiven, though these stories lack of hallucinatory flatness of the former and are far superior to the latter. But that tone! It was as if she wanted to lull us, divert our attention from the magic and myth she is playing with. I would have followed her into this world more readily if she had given it to me with more heat, more urgency. As it is, I am left tepid.

madisone's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I read this as part of a personal 24-hour read-a-thon and that is the only reason I finished this book. It really was just boring and pointless, and there were maybe 2 characters total that compelled me even slightly.

servemethesky's review against another edition

2.0

This book tried far too hard to be shocking, edgy, and provocative. The stories were told with such a cold and distant tone that I didn't feel any sympathy for the characters, just alienation. The only story I enjoyed was the one with the girl sleeping with the artist with the eccentric family that lived on the surface. That one was almost beautiful, and made me think. The others were faux-disturbing and borderline uninteresting. Sorry, Carolyn Cooke, but I won't be returning to read more of your work anytime soon.

samplatinum's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-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

2.0

mattpr_co's review against another edition

5.0

Great writing.

explenture's review against another edition

5.0

Excellent her fiction is specific, purposeful and particular

needfulreads's review against another edition

1.0

One of the worst short story compilations that i have ever wasted my time reading. It has absolutely no depth, no point and the characters are so shallow and unconvincing. The author tries so hard to be edgy and I don't know man, I read better stories from classmates in highschool. Really truly pedestrian and just...bad. I am very angry...at myself for not taking the reviews into consideration. I mean...