libraryghosts's review
Took too long and had to return it to the library! Will try again soon
basbleu_dans_labiblioteque's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
Favorite stories were The Barrow, The Lady of Moge, and Imaginary Countries
flo_llot's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
misanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Several very effective stories. Very much like the Hanish stories in tone.
asiaa's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cheryl6of8's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
barnstormingbooks's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I bought this little book at a thrift store last year during my #ReadUrsuala2020 mainly for the cover from the late 1970s.
This set of short stories are all set in an imaginary central European country between the 12th century and the 1960s. Most are about men, and the rise from a feudal state eventually to a communist society that turns totalitarian. The concept is clearly defined and followed through. For those reading closely, there are connections between the stories even centuries apart that go beyond location to the legacy of families and communities.
Maybe it’s just the age of the book, but something was a little off to me in this set of tales. While I don’t mind making up a town or location, to make up an entire country, and then model it heavily on real places (this little book feels like stories were plucked directly from Moldova and Romania) just felt a little off. Especially when written by an American during the rise of the Cold War.
The writing is solid but seems to lag more here than in her novels. There are some standouts, but those are mostly the older stories that feel more fantasy than just fictional stories.
eleanor_rose's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5