jakekilroy's review
4.0
The first story of this collection is perhaps the most jarring opener I’ve ever read; not for any horrific details, but rather the realization of what it’s about (as I knew little about the author going in). From there, it’s one engaging reminder after another that everyone is trying to find something and it may not be happiness. It may be happiness adjacent or even adjacent to whatever that is. In the bleak landscape of the deserty American west, especially in and around Las Vegas, anything from safety and security to joy and jubilation to rationale and realization can be a copy of a copy of a copy — but it’s the closest you’ll likely ever get to purity, so you take it and hold onto it; not exactly treasuring it, not exactly dismissing it. It’s worth something, even if it’s not everything you want it to be. I found this collection fascinating, even when the desolation rolled through my body. These are characters aware of an absence within them, and even when they speak from the heart, they can come across as if they’re talking with gritted teeth. The hardened ones seem sharper and the softer souls seem ripe for the world’s devouring. I respect this world, but I do not fear it. Yet I worry how true it may be.
glabour's review against another edition
5.0
4.5-5 stars. The first short story collection I’ve read that I could not put down. Every story is that good.
vspinazola's review against another edition
5.0
If I could give this 7 stars, I would. One of the best short story collections I've read in a while.
timperdoody's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
3.0
jaydenbrowne's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
jonathan_packer_1994's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
tarynwanderer's review
dark
emotional
reflective
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
motifenjoyer's review
emotional
reflective
sad
5.0
Nothing but hits 💯💯💯
"That’s what I prayed for then: divine preservation of something I would never understand, the safeguarding of something I’d already lost."
"That’s what I prayed for then: divine preservation of something I would never understand, the safeguarding of something I’d already lost."
cobydillon14's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars because I admired her writing, but this is not my cup of tea. People are so damaged and make such bad choices and just break your heart - when they are not being revolting in various ways. The best stories for me were the semi-autobiographical piece about her family's connection to Charles Manson, and the longer story set during the Gold Rush. Wanted to read it because of the Nevada/Utah/California setting, where I traveled this spring, and she beautifully evokes the dry expanse of this harsh country.