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spenkevich's review against another edition
4.0
’We owe it to each other to tell stories’
For years I’ve heard the name Neil Gaiman passed about, weighted with heavy praise, and have always promised myself to read him. Earlier this fall, after hearing him speak on NPR, I sat down with a copy of [b:Coraline|17061|Coraline|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871014s/17061.jpg|2834844], and hungrily read it in one sitting. Despite the novel being intended for an audience much greener than I, I couldn’t help but be hypnotized by the charismatic voice and magical delivery and I renewed my promise to return to this author as soon as possible. More recently, although I was happily buried in a pile of Christmas reading, I purchased his second collection of short fictions, Fragile Things, to revisit this infectious voice and break away from heavier reading into his eerie landscapes. Simply put, this collection was some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Filled with many of his Locus award winners, and his Hugo winner, this collection brings many of Gaiman’s works, most of them scattered about in various anthologies, together in one binding. All of the signature excellence with which Gaiman has rightly built his widespread fan-base is present to prove that he is equally wonderful with his short game as he is in novel form and to tell stories which will send shivers down the spines of readers of all ages.
There is a vigorous charm about the writing. He lures the reader with lush, simple sentences, which are easy on the eyes, but commanding none-the-less. Once he has drawn you in, cozying up with the reader with a bit of background, the efficacious flow of his phrasing pulls the reader along through the lucid visions of his spectral creations at high speeds in an experience more akin to a thrill ride than just typeface on a page. While Gaiman’s writing isn’t extravagant, the sleek simplicity of it makes it effective to captivate the minds of both the young and old alike. I especially enjoyed Gaiman’s way of affecting a sense of a ‘story within a story’ where he puts near equal emphasis in the context in which the story is told as in the actual tale much like Henry James does in [b:The Turn of the Screw|12948|The Turn of the Screw|Henry James|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327909344s/12948.jpg|990886], or [a:Nikolai Gogol|232932|Nikolai Gogol|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1303965602p2/232932.jpg] does to exemplify the oral tradition of storytelling. This technique is most uniquely present in October in the Chair, which earned the 2003 Locus award for Best Short Story, where the 12 months, each personified in a comical fashion, are seated around a campfire and listen to October tell a chilling tale about a young runaway and his nighttime engagements with the ghost of a dead boy. This helps highlight Gaiman’s pervasive idea of the power stories hold while also allowing him to bring the reader into the story at a safe distance before shocking them. This also allows the author to add a touch of autobiography, as is the case in Closing Time, where he admits that more of the story is ripped from reality than he would like to admit.
These stories are just a flat out good time. From aliens to ghost and vampires, Sherlock Holmes and even into the Matrix, these stories will delight and frighten, which brought to mind my childhood of hiding beneath the sheets reading Steven King’s short stories far past bedtime. There is a compelling wit and humor to these tales, many of which reside just on the outskirts of any sense of conclusion, using the classic horror device of allowing the imagination to run wild and fill in the cracks. In stories such as Feeders and Eaters, we never learn the grisly details of exactly why the man has fallen in on himself, but there is enough horrific background to allow for creativity to connect the last few dots. Sometimes the ‘unsaid’ can be mightier than the ‘said’, and the emotion of fear overrides the physical object of terror. Gaiman is also a master at the twist, such as the Hugo winning A Study in Emerald, his Sherlock Holmes [b:A Study in Scarlet|102868|A Study in Scarlet|Arthur Conan Doyle|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266472643s/102868.jpg|1997473] inspired tale, which he mixed with a shot of [a:H.P. Lovecraft|9494|H.P. Lovecraft|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1299165714p2/9494.jpg]. As the reader reaches the conclusion they will notice, if they are versed in Holmes lore a bit, an alternate reality that goes beyond the sci-fi elements. The most staggering twist is contained in the very short yet very disturbing Other People, which I would label one of the ‘must reads’ of this collection. A few other points of interest are the short pieces written to accompany a Tori Amos tour book that each reflect a personality from various songs, and a novella dealing with Shadow, the lead character fro Gaiman's [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1258417001s/4407.jpg|1970226].
While many of these stories are first rate, this collection does fall into a few pitfalls that comes with the territory of simply rounding up anthologized stories, as there is a sense of unevenness and a fair share of filler. Some of the prose poems also seem to be placed in here just because and do not have the same impact as many of his stories, however Gaiman admits in the introduction that he originally did not intend for any of the poetry to be included. That said, Instructions, a poem that illustrates the clichés of fairytales in the manner of laying out ground-rules for what to do should one find themselves in a fairytale, is highly creative and one of my favorite pieces here. There are a few others that bring about a smile, although the stories are the real meat of the collection. A few of the stories can be shrugged off as well, but do not be discouraged as there is an abundance of juicy tales. The introduction itself is just as enjoyable as the rest of the stories; the readers get a glimpse into the author’s creative process as he describes some behind the scenes tidbits of each story. It is always fascinating for me to experience the author beyond the romanticized perception of an author, and here you can see Gaiman as the human being, writing stories in hotels rooms, airports, or in his living room as his children run about. He puts the stories into the context of his own life, which makes them seem all the more personal.
Storytelling is of major importance to Neil Gaiman. In a recent NPR interview with Gaiman, he stated that his enjoyment in writing children’s fiction stems from a belief that it is the most influential. This is apparent in The Problem of Susan when Greta says that her interest in children’s fiction is because ’they seemed the books that were most important to me. The ones that mattered.’. Gaiman stated that the books we read in our childhood always reside in our hearts and help shape who we are, and also enjoying fiction at a young age helps ensure we continue to pursue literature throughout our lives. He said that [b:Coraline|17061|Coraline|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871014s/17061.jpg|2834844] is one of his favorites since many people come to him with stories of how when they were younger and faced with problems, they would remember how brave Coraline was and attempt to emulate this. He said that he began writing children’s fiction after a visit to the library in search of scary stories aimed at 5 year olds, his daughters age at the time, brought only concerned looks and no books. He set out to rectify this, and the world of books is a better place for it. The Problem of Susan briefly discusses a history of children’s fiction, moving from books where children were just miniature adults to ones that are more ‘pure’ and ‘sanctimonious’, and dealt with issues that befall children in the way they perceive and react to them. He shows how that pure, innocent period of growth is essential before they reach the pornography and violence that befalls adulthood. His method of doing so envisions a very different view of the Lion and White Witch from [b:The Chronicles of Narnia|11127|The Chronicles of Narnia (#1-7)|C.S. Lewis|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166457868s/11127.jpg|781271], one that won’t soon be forgotten. The poem Locks is another place where Gaiman stresses the beauty of childhood innocence in stories, and the function of storytelling being passed through generations. The importance of storytelling is also a major theme in The Invention of Aladdin, where stories can be a tool in protecting ones own life.
Fragile Things is an excellent choice for all readers. It will shock, terrify and even make you laugh across a broad range of stories and poems. I am very glad I picked this up and I will certainly be returning to the twisted mind of Neil Gaiman very soon, I suggest you do as well. He seems to be always eager to tell a story and this is probably the closest thing to climbing up on his knee and hearing him recite one of his magical tales. I hope he has a big enough knee for all of us.
4/5
For years I’ve heard the name Neil Gaiman passed about, weighted with heavy praise, and have always promised myself to read him. Earlier this fall, after hearing him speak on NPR, I sat down with a copy of [b:Coraline|17061|Coraline|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871014s/17061.jpg|2834844], and hungrily read it in one sitting. Despite the novel being intended for an audience much greener than I, I couldn’t help but be hypnotized by the charismatic voice and magical delivery and I renewed my promise to return to this author as soon as possible. More recently, although I was happily buried in a pile of Christmas reading, I purchased his second collection of short fictions, Fragile Things, to revisit this infectious voice and break away from heavier reading into his eerie landscapes. Simply put, this collection was some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Filled with many of his Locus award winners, and his Hugo winner, this collection brings many of Gaiman’s works, most of them scattered about in various anthologies, together in one binding. All of the signature excellence with which Gaiman has rightly built his widespread fan-base is present to prove that he is equally wonderful with his short game as he is in novel form and to tell stories which will send shivers down the spines of readers of all ages.
There is a vigorous charm about the writing. He lures the reader with lush, simple sentences, which are easy on the eyes, but commanding none-the-less. Once he has drawn you in, cozying up with the reader with a bit of background, the efficacious flow of his phrasing pulls the reader along through the lucid visions of his spectral creations at high speeds in an experience more akin to a thrill ride than just typeface on a page. While Gaiman’s writing isn’t extravagant, the sleek simplicity of it makes it effective to captivate the minds of both the young and old alike. I especially enjoyed Gaiman’s way of affecting a sense of a ‘story within a story’ where he puts near equal emphasis in the context in which the story is told as in the actual tale much like Henry James does in [b:The Turn of the Screw|12948|The Turn of the Screw|Henry James|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327909344s/12948.jpg|990886], or [a:Nikolai Gogol|232932|Nikolai Gogol|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1303965602p2/232932.jpg] does to exemplify the oral tradition of storytelling. This technique is most uniquely present in October in the Chair, which earned the 2003 Locus award for Best Short Story, where the 12 months, each personified in a comical fashion, are seated around a campfire and listen to October tell a chilling tale about a young runaway and his nighttime engagements with the ghost of a dead boy. This helps highlight Gaiman’s pervasive idea of the power stories hold while also allowing him to bring the reader into the story at a safe distance before shocking them. This also allows the author to add a touch of autobiography, as is the case in Closing Time, where he admits that more of the story is ripped from reality than he would like to admit.
These stories are just a flat out good time. From aliens to ghost and vampires, Sherlock Holmes and even into the Matrix, these stories will delight and frighten, which brought to mind my childhood of hiding beneath the sheets reading Steven King’s short stories far past bedtime. There is a compelling wit and humor to these tales, many of which reside just on the outskirts of any sense of conclusion, using the classic horror device of allowing the imagination to run wild and fill in the cracks. In stories such as Feeders and Eaters, we never learn the grisly details of exactly why the man has fallen in on himself, but there is enough horrific background to allow for creativity to connect the last few dots. Sometimes the ‘unsaid’ can be mightier than the ‘said’, and the emotion of fear overrides the physical object of terror. Gaiman is also a master at the twist, such as the Hugo winning A Study in Emerald, his Sherlock Holmes [b:A Study in Scarlet|102868|A Study in Scarlet|Arthur Conan Doyle|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266472643s/102868.jpg|1997473] inspired tale, which he mixed with a shot of [a:H.P. Lovecraft|9494|H.P. Lovecraft|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1299165714p2/9494.jpg]. As the reader reaches the conclusion they will notice, if they are versed in Holmes lore a bit, an alternate reality that goes beyond the sci-fi elements. The most staggering twist is contained in the very short yet very disturbing Other People, which I would label one of the ‘must reads’ of this collection. A few other points of interest are the short pieces written to accompany a Tori Amos tour book that each reflect a personality from various songs, and a novella dealing with Shadow, the lead character fro Gaiman's [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1258417001s/4407.jpg|1970226].
While many of these stories are first rate, this collection does fall into a few pitfalls that comes with the territory of simply rounding up anthologized stories, as there is a sense of unevenness and a fair share of filler. Some of the prose poems also seem to be placed in here just because and do not have the same impact as many of his stories, however Gaiman admits in the introduction that he originally did not intend for any of the poetry to be included. That said, Instructions, a poem that illustrates the clichés of fairytales in the manner of laying out ground-rules for what to do should one find themselves in a fairytale, is highly creative and one of my favorite pieces here. There are a few others that bring about a smile, although the stories are the real meat of the collection. A few of the stories can be shrugged off as well, but do not be discouraged as there is an abundance of juicy tales. The introduction itself is just as enjoyable as the rest of the stories; the readers get a glimpse into the author’s creative process as he describes some behind the scenes tidbits of each story. It is always fascinating for me to experience the author beyond the romanticized perception of an author, and here you can see Gaiman as the human being, writing stories in hotels rooms, airports, or in his living room as his children run about. He puts the stories into the context of his own life, which makes them seem all the more personal.
Storytelling is of major importance to Neil Gaiman. In a recent NPR interview with Gaiman, he stated that his enjoyment in writing children’s fiction stems from a belief that it is the most influential. This is apparent in The Problem of Susan when Greta says that her interest in children’s fiction is because ’they seemed the books that were most important to me. The ones that mattered.’. Gaiman stated that the books we read in our childhood always reside in our hearts and help shape who we are, and also enjoying fiction at a young age helps ensure we continue to pursue literature throughout our lives. He said that [b:Coraline|17061|Coraline|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871014s/17061.jpg|2834844] is one of his favorites since many people come to him with stories of how when they were younger and faced with problems, they would remember how brave Coraline was and attempt to emulate this. He said that he began writing children’s fiction after a visit to the library in search of scary stories aimed at 5 year olds, his daughters age at the time, brought only concerned looks and no books. He set out to rectify this, and the world of books is a better place for it. The Problem of Susan briefly discusses a history of children’s fiction, moving from books where children were just miniature adults to ones that are more ‘pure’ and ‘sanctimonious’, and dealt with issues that befall children in the way they perceive and react to them. He shows how that pure, innocent period of growth is essential before they reach the pornography and violence that befalls adulthood. His method of doing so envisions a very different view of the Lion and White Witch from [b:The Chronicles of Narnia|11127|The Chronicles of Narnia (#1-7)|C.S. Lewis|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166457868s/11127.jpg|781271], one that won’t soon be forgotten. The poem Locks is another place where Gaiman stresses the beauty of childhood innocence in stories, and the function of storytelling being passed through generations. The importance of storytelling is also a major theme in The Invention of Aladdin, where stories can be a tool in protecting ones own life.
Fragile Things is an excellent choice for all readers. It will shock, terrify and even make you laugh across a broad range of stories and poems. I am very glad I picked this up and I will certainly be returning to the twisted mind of Neil Gaiman very soon, I suggest you do as well. He seems to be always eager to tell a story and this is probably the closest thing to climbing up on his knee and hearing him recite one of his magical tales. I hope he has a big enough knee for all of us.
4/5
lauraeydmann82's review against another edition
5.0
I’m relatively late to the game when it comes to Neil Gaiman. I’ve only read a few books – Good Omens was the first – but I’m trying to catch up now I’ve discovered how amazing he is.
My dad bought me “Smoke and Mirrors” for Christmas last year, and I loved it. So a few months back, with an Amazon gift card burning a hole in my pocket, I bought this. And it’s just as good.
I read a lot of this book on my own at home – which added to the creepiness of the stories, and made me enjoy it even more… and some of them really are creepy. I love Gaiman’s style of writing, and I find his imagination is so fantastic, the stories are always brilliant, interesting, and unusual.
Some specific highlights from this book include: “Closing Time” – a ghost story told by some friends in a little club at closing time… the ending really got to me on this one! “The Problem with Susan” – which I really enjoyed as the Narnia books are very close to my heart, and I’ve always thought it was very unfair that Susan missed out on heaven because she grew up and was a girl! “Goliath” was a wonderful take on the Matrix story – well written and beautiful, and “The Day the Saucers Came” which was just brilliant – I didn’t expect it at all.
I love short stories and Neil Gaiman is quickly becoming my go-to author of the moment, it’s taking most of my willpower not to go onto Amazon and order his entire back catalogue… these stories are great, and this will be on and off the bookcase for years to come to dip into or to immerse myself on a cold winter’s night.
My dad bought me “Smoke and Mirrors” for Christmas last year, and I loved it. So a few months back, with an Amazon gift card burning a hole in my pocket, I bought this. And it’s just as good.
I read a lot of this book on my own at home – which added to the creepiness of the stories, and made me enjoy it even more… and some of them really are creepy. I love Gaiman’s style of writing, and I find his imagination is so fantastic, the stories are always brilliant, interesting, and unusual.
Some specific highlights from this book include: “Closing Time” – a ghost story told by some friends in a little club at closing time… the ending really got to me on this one! “The Problem with Susan” – which I really enjoyed as the Narnia books are very close to my heart, and I’ve always thought it was very unfair that Susan missed out on heaven because she grew up and was a girl! “Goliath” was a wonderful take on the Matrix story – well written and beautiful, and “The Day the Saucers Came” which was just brilliant – I didn’t expect it at all.
I love short stories and Neil Gaiman is quickly becoming my go-to author of the moment, it’s taking most of my willpower not to go onto Amazon and order his entire back catalogue… these stories are great, and this will be on and off the bookcase for years to come to dip into or to immerse myself on a cold winter’s night.
burningupasun's review against another edition
4.0
Setting/World Building: 5/5
Main Character: n/a, it was a book of short stories so there wasn't a "main" character.
Other Characters: 4/5? Some of the stories didn't really have well-defined characters, but it usually suited the story.
Plot: 3/5, on an average. Some were worthy of 5s, others less.
Writing: 4/5, overall pretty good.
Triggering/Issues: 3/5. A bit too many rape comments/references for me, and some infidelity and such as well.
AVERAGED TOTAL: 3.8/5, rounded to 4.
I think on a whole, I enjoyed this book of short stories. Perhaps not my best choice for my first official introduction to Gaiman's writing (beyond his DW episode and the movie Coraline), but not a bad choice either. Like many short stories, there were a few I LOVED, and a few I didn't like at all, and a good amount I liked on an average level.
Some of the stories that stood out include "October in the Chair", a story about the twelve seasons gathering in the woods in human form, to tell each other stories. Also, "The Problem of Susan" which was an interesting twist on the way Susan was treated in the Narnia novels: "My younger brother was decapitated, you know. A god who would punish me for liking nylons and parties by making me walk through that school dining room, with the flies, to identify Ed, well... he's enjoying himself a bit too much, isn't he? Like a cat, getting the last ounce of enjoyment out of a mouse." As someone who was never happy with how Susan was treated, I really loved that bit. "Sunbird" was a good one, with the story of the Phoenix, and reading "The Monarch of the Glen" made me want to read the original story that Shadow features in, which is apparently a book. I also very much liked "How to Talk to Girls at Parties", mostly for the way the girls/aliens spoke. My favorite line was: I am a poem, or I am a pattern, or a race of people whose world was swallowed by the sea." It was one of those lines that was just... beautiful, for some reason.
There were a few triggery things, especially in certain stories. I wasn't a fan of "How Do You Think It Feels", for the infidelity. Also the mentions of pedophilia in "Keepsakes and Treasures" was shudder-inducing. There's more I don't remember as clearly, mostly because the few rape-references I sort of blocked out. But overall it was pretty good, and I thought some of the poems worked as nice dividers between the stories, which ranged from ghosts to vampires to aliens and zombies and more.
Main Character: n/a, it was a book of short stories so there wasn't a "main" character.
Other Characters: 4/5? Some of the stories didn't really have well-defined characters, but it usually suited the story.
Plot: 3/5, on an average. Some were worthy of 5s, others less.
Writing: 4/5, overall pretty good.
Triggering/Issues: 3/5. A bit too many rape comments/references for me, and some infidelity and such as well.
AVERAGED TOTAL: 3.8/5, rounded to 4.
I think on a whole, I enjoyed this book of short stories. Perhaps not my best choice for my first official introduction to Gaiman's writing (beyond his DW episode and the movie Coraline), but not a bad choice either. Like many short stories, there were a few I LOVED, and a few I didn't like at all, and a good amount I liked on an average level.
Some of the stories that stood out include "October in the Chair", a story about the twelve seasons gathering in the woods in human form, to tell each other stories. Also, "The Problem of Susan" which was an interesting twist on the way Susan was treated in the Narnia novels: "My younger brother was decapitated, you know. A god who would punish me for liking nylons and parties by making me walk through that school dining room, with the flies, to identify Ed, well... he's enjoying himself a bit too much, isn't he? Like a cat, getting the last ounce of enjoyment out of a mouse." As someone who was never happy with how Susan was treated, I really loved that bit. "Sunbird" was a good one, with the story of the Phoenix, and reading "The Monarch of the Glen" made me want to read the original story that Shadow features in, which is apparently a book. I also very much liked "How to Talk to Girls at Parties", mostly for the way the girls/aliens spoke. My favorite line was: I am a poem, or I am a pattern, or a race of people whose world was swallowed by the sea." It was one of those lines that was just... beautiful, for some reason.
There were a few triggery things, especially in certain stories. I wasn't a fan of "How Do You Think It Feels", for the infidelity. Also the mentions of pedophilia in "Keepsakes and Treasures" was shudder-inducing. There's more I don't remember as clearly, mostly because the few rape-references I sort of blocked out. But overall it was pretty good, and I thought some of the poems worked as nice dividers between the stories, which ranged from ghosts to vampires to aliens and zombies and more.
rufio7's review against another edition
4.0
As usual with collections, this was a mixed bag of disappointments and successes. Personal favourites include The Problem of Susan, Instructions and Goliath. The Monarch of the Glen was a bit underwhelming as a follow up from American Gods but highlighted the Scottish countryside well.
danoreading's review against another edition
3.0
It took me months to read this - I would pick it up, read a couple stories, and then put it down for weeks. I liked many of the stories quite a bit, but some were too disturbing or strange for me to really get into. Gaiman is such an odd duck. I am definitely interested in reading more of his stuff.
danoreading's review against another edition
4.0
Liked this collection so much more as an audio book. Gaiman reads these stories, and he makes them simply come alive. A wonderful way to start my days, listening to his voice on the way to work.
mvasso's review against another edition
2.0
Not nearly as good as the other books of his that I've read. Some of the stories were great, but most were more depressing than I like.
mery_cf's review against another edition
First strike: casual mentions of pedophilia, completely unnecessary for the story).
Second strike: “she died unmarried and unmolested” like that means it’s an unfulfilled life… gave me the ick, I stopped reading at this point. How is unmolested something bad?! that is how I wish everyone would die
Second strike: “she died unmarried and unmolested” like that means it’s an unfulfilled life… gave me the ick, I stopped reading at this point. How is unmolested something bad?! that is how I wish everyone would die
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Not just pedophilia, but more specifically underage sex workers. And the author first describes (briefly) the interaction, but only at the end of the short story do you find out that they were underage all along, and not at all close to an appropriate age.fortunesdear's review against another edition
4.0
- The Mapmaker 3/5
- A Study in Emerald - 5/5
- The Fairy Reel - 4/5
- October in the Chair - 5/5
- The Hidden Chamber - 4/5
- Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire - 3/5
- The Flints of Memory Lane - 4/5
- Closing Time - 5/5
- Going Wodwo - 3/5
- Bitter Grounds - 3.5/5
- Other People - 3.5/5
- Keepsakes and Treasures - 2/5
- Good Boys Deserve Favors - 2/5
- The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch - 2/5
- Strange Little Girls - 3/5
- Harlequin Valentine - 3/5
- Locks - 3/5
- The Problem of Susan - 3/5
- Instructions - 4/5
- How Do You Think It Feels? - 2/5
- My Life - 2/5
- Fifteen Painted Cards From A Vampire Tarot - 5/5
- Feeders and Eaters - 2/5
- Diseasemaker's Croup - 2/5
- In The End - 3/5
- Goliath - 4/5
- Pages from a Journal Found in a Shoebox Left in a Greyhound Bus Somewhere Between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Louisville, Kentucky - 3/5
- How to Talk to Girls at Parties - 3/5
- The Day The Saucers Came - 5/5
- Sunbird - 3/5
- Inventing Aladdin - 5/5
- The Monarch of the Glen - 3/5
- A Study in Emerald - 5/5
- The Fairy Reel - 4/5
- October in the Chair - 5/5
- The Hidden Chamber - 4/5
- Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire - 3/5
- The Flints of Memory Lane - 4/5
- Closing Time - 5/5
- Going Wodwo - 3/5
- Bitter Grounds - 3.5/5
- Other People - 3.5/5
- Keepsakes and Treasures - 2/5
- Good Boys Deserve Favors - 2/5
- The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch - 2/5
- Strange Little Girls - 3/5
- Harlequin Valentine - 3/5
- Locks - 3/5
- The Problem of Susan - 3/5
- Instructions - 4/5
- How Do You Think It Feels? - 2/5
- My Life - 2/5
- Fifteen Painted Cards From A Vampire Tarot - 5/5
- Feeders and Eaters - 2/5
- Diseasemaker's Croup - 2/5
- In The End - 3/5
- Goliath - 4/5
- Pages from a Journal Found in a Shoebox Left in a Greyhound Bus Somewhere Between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Louisville, Kentucky - 3/5
- How to Talk to Girls at Parties - 3/5
- The Day The Saucers Came - 5/5
- Sunbird - 3/5
- Inventing Aladdin - 5/5
- The Monarch of the Glen - 3/5
benjamin_roelfs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5