lolasim's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
meeji's review against another edition
5.0
Smart Ovens for Lonely People is a quirky collection of short stories that will have you marvelling at author Tan’s imagination. Her fun and absurdist tales are beautifully written and will slap you awake with the intelligence quietly lurking beneath seemingly suburban subject matter.
From the moment I saw its title, I knew this would be a keeper. (That, and the fact that there is a chapter titled ‘Ron Swanson’s Stencilled ‘Stache’.) 'Smart Ovens for Lonely People' is a whimsical adventure which nods to a serious message, if you read closely enough between the lines.
From the moment I saw its title, I knew this would be a keeper. (That, and the fact that there is a chapter titled ‘Ron Swanson’s Stencilled ‘Stache’.) 'Smart Ovens for Lonely People' is a whimsical adventure which nods to a serious message, if you read closely enough between the lines.
cloverr's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
grudgemental's review against another edition
4.0
Some morbid, some esoteric, all good. Will certainly be thinking about some of these stories for a while
miamh's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
bellwetherdays's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
hayleyyyreads's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully smart and funny, I wholeheartedly adored every story in this collection. I don’t know if it’s just my familiarity with Perth, (where more than a few stories were set) but there is something so incredibly real and true about these stories that the inclusions of the wacky, weird and wonderful seem natural rather than forced. I started to list out my favourites and then realised I was just copying the contents page verbatim so in conclusion: read this you will not regret it.
jessicacragg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
isabellemay's review
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
read this for lit class, i rather enjoyed it and its insights into human nature