subpolka's review against another edition
3.0
Shirley Jackson has been my all-time favorite author since I discovered her in high school. Since then, I've read and re-read every syllable of her work to the point of memorization - which is to say, hearing that a new collection of stories and essays was being released? My little heart, did it jump for joy!
With a few exceptions, however, Let Me Tell You just...didn't grab me. I wanted to love it, but many stories felt like tired retreads of earlier (published) ones. Some were in draft form, which was to be expected, but they were rough to the point of being unsatisfying.
Which isn't to say I hated it. As an earlier reviewer noted, any Shirley is better than no Shirley.
With a few exceptions, however, Let Me Tell You just...didn't grab me. I wanted to love it, but many stories felt like tired retreads of earlier (published) ones. Some were in draft form, which was to be expected, but they were rough to the point of being unsatisfying.
Which isn't to say I hated it. As an earlier reviewer noted, any Shirley is better than no Shirley.
gorecki's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of early, previously unpublished and non-fiction pieces is a must-read for every Shirley Jackson fan. If not exactly for its brilliance and mastery, then for the sheer joy of having a peek into Shirley Jackson's growth and the many other sides of her which do not neccessarily make it into her novels.
Reading collections of previously unpublished or early works can be a knife with two blades - on the one hand, there might be a reason they were not published in the first place. Maybe they're not that great? On the other hand, you get to see a favourite author's progress and growth, which is a reward in itself. And might also find an unpolished diamond? Both of these are true about Let Me Tell You: while there were some stories that left me a bit underwhelmed, there were others that brought me great delight. I enjoyed seeing the way Jackson plays with a certain motif or idea in several ways through more than one story and noticing how, while her style and approach doesn't really change or vary, you could still feel some maturing and growth from her early stories to her later ones. I also really appreciated her non-fictional pieces on writing - while I've always considered that a work of fiction should stand for itself and not have to be explained by its author, I loved Jackson's pieces about her own writing process and how she approaches it as it doesn't explain any spcific piece she's written, but her process as a whole. And naturally her humour pieces - probably my favourite part of this collection - I do believe Jackson's humour writing is very much undeservedly underrated and deserves much more attentionand praise.
Starting from a place where I didn't really understand what the fuss about Shirley Jackson is when I read my first story by her, I've slowly taken a spot among her biggest fans. Both because the more I read her, the more I appreciate her writing, but also because I'm starting to get a better understanding of Shirley as a person, not only as a storyteller.
Reading collections of previously unpublished or early works can be a knife with two blades - on the one hand, there might be a reason they were not published in the first place. Maybe they're not that great? On the other hand, you get to see a favourite author's progress and growth, which is a reward in itself. And might also find an unpolished diamond? Both of these are true about Let Me Tell You: while there were some stories that left me a bit underwhelmed, there were others that brought me great delight. I enjoyed seeing the way Jackson plays with a certain motif or idea in several ways through more than one story and noticing how, while her style and approach doesn't really change or vary, you could still feel some maturing and growth from her early stories to her later ones. I also really appreciated her non-fictional pieces on writing - while I've always considered that a work of fiction should stand for itself and not have to be explained by its author, I loved Jackson's pieces about her own writing process and how she approaches it as it doesn't explain any spcific piece she's written, but her process as a whole. And naturally her humour pieces - probably my favourite part of this collection - I do believe Jackson's humour writing is very much undeservedly underrated and deserves much more attentionand praise.
Starting from a place where I didn't really understand what the fuss about Shirley Jackson is when I read my first story by her, I've slowly taken a spot among her biggest fans. Both because the more I read her, the more I appreciate her writing, but also because I'm starting to get a better understanding of Shirley as a person, not only as a storyteller.
wheresthebirds's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
3.5
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
4.0
This book of short stories and essays was such a fun read. The stories were not as creepy as I have come to expect from Shirley Jackson. The first one started strong and creepy but that was kind of the only one.
Her essays were clever and often made me smile.
A great collection for any Jackson fan.
Her essays were clever and often made me smile.
A great collection for any Jackson fan.
chrismisseve's review against another edition
I finished all the short stories. I will return to the book if I feel the desire to read essays.
adreannavincent's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
2.5
yew676's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
tonyk's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
rebleejen's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
acanthae's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Whenever I feel disenchanted about not finding horror novels I really love, I should just return to Jackson again. Good stories, humorous essays, clever writings on writing.