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boygirlparty's review
3.0
While I love a short story collection as much as the next gal, I'm surprised I didn't love these stories the way other Goodreads reviewers did. Usually goodreads finds are pretty spot on for me, but in my opinion, this collection suffered from a lack of "show, don't tell" in the writing. I had a difficult time visualizing the characters and environments, although the situations were well crafted and interesting. There was a running theme of random acts of violence, cruelty, and lack of empathy among the characters in the book that I found disturbing. The pacing was sometimes sluggish, and sentence structure often repetitive to the point of distraction. To put it plainly, it sort of felt self-published.
Loved "Poseidon Eyes" (inventive magical realism & reminded me a little of [a:Etgar Keret|34065|Etgar Keret|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1317329699p2/34065.jpg]), thought two "girls who wanted to be trees" stories were two too many, and thought the "bonus" final chapter (which was really a pre-sell/preview of the author's next book -- functionally appropriate if it were a sequel, but it's not.) unnecessarily dwarfed the content of the book I had purchased rather than seeming like a "bonus". I couldn't help but think, "What?! The last 20% of this is an ad?!"
This is the first e-book I've ever purchased, and it was good, but I think I had higher hopes based on the copious 5-star reviews.
Loved "Poseidon Eyes" (inventive magical realism & reminded me a little of [a:Etgar Keret|34065|Etgar Keret|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1317329699p2/34065.jpg]), thought two "girls who wanted to be trees" stories were two too many, and thought the "bonus" final chapter (which was really a pre-sell/preview of the author's next book -- functionally appropriate if it were a sequel, but it's not.) unnecessarily dwarfed the content of the book I had purchased rather than seeming like a "bonus". I couldn't help but think, "What?! The last 20% of this is an ad?!"
This is the first e-book I've ever purchased, and it was good, but I think I had higher hopes based on the copious 5-star reviews.
bexmontgomery's review
5.0
Sandcastle and Other Stories (The Complete Edition) by Justin Bog
This reissue of the debut story collection by Justin Bog is impressive. Originally published in 2013 by Green Darner Press the collection garnered high critical praise, was named one of the Best Books of 2013 Suspense Anthology by Suspense Magazine and a 2014 Ohioan Award Finalist.
It’s not hard to see why. This collection of 12 short stories runs the gamut of colorful characters, and the author manages to inhabit each of them with the ease of a well-seasoned pro. He slips into the mind of a 75-year-old gardener, a new mother, and a young child with equal aplomb.
The stories are imaginative and wonderfully mundane at the same time. Focusing on small details with such shocking honesty that they fascinate and resonate at the same time.
Sandcastle, the title story in the collection is masterful. It’s features the collection’s signature gorgeous, sumptuous prose and gives us a glimpse of what seems at first innocent voyeurism but ultimately turns to something much darker, more sinister. And then we as the readers, the ultimate voyeurs find ourselves helpless to stop the scene unfolding before our eyes.
Many of the stories in the collection play with human nature’s darker side to varying degrees touching on everything from apathy and want to murder and it’s delicious to read about in the hands of this author because it is done so well. There is not a false note to be found. He also plays around the edges of mental illness with characters that have suicidal tendencies, delusions, or (in separate stories) girls who want nothing more than to be trees.
Though most of the stories are firmly rooted in the here and now, a few give nods to the fantastical. Poseidon Eyes, for example, is almost an Alice in Wonderland tale set under the sea. And The Virtue of Minding Your Own Business has one word in it, a reference to a “holographic” will which thrusts it into the realm of something that could be defined as science fiction.
Overall these stories were enthralling to read. At times deliciously disturbing, utterly relatable and beautifully moving. I highly recommend this collection to fans of literary fiction, but I think there is something in this collection for every type of reader to enjoy.
4.5 stars.
Review copy courtesy of author/Sage's Blog Tours.
Review originally appeared at Aurelia {Lit} {Geek} {Chic}
This reissue of the debut story collection by Justin Bog is impressive. Originally published in 2013 by Green Darner Press the collection garnered high critical praise, was named one of the Best Books of 2013 Suspense Anthology by Suspense Magazine and a 2014 Ohioan Award Finalist.
It’s not hard to see why. This collection of 12 short stories runs the gamut of colorful characters, and the author manages to inhabit each of them with the ease of a well-seasoned pro. He slips into the mind of a 75-year-old gardener, a new mother, and a young child with equal aplomb.
The stories are imaginative and wonderfully mundane at the same time. Focusing on small details with such shocking honesty that they fascinate and resonate at the same time.
Sandcastle, the title story in the collection is masterful. It’s features the collection’s signature gorgeous, sumptuous prose and gives us a glimpse of what seems at first innocent voyeurism but ultimately turns to something much darker, more sinister. And then we as the readers, the ultimate voyeurs find ourselves helpless to stop the scene unfolding before our eyes.
Many of the stories in the collection play with human nature’s darker side to varying degrees touching on everything from apathy and want to murder and it’s delicious to read about in the hands of this author because it is done so well. There is not a false note to be found. He also plays around the edges of mental illness with characters that have suicidal tendencies, delusions, or (in separate stories) girls who want nothing more than to be trees.
Though most of the stories are firmly rooted in the here and now, a few give nods to the fantastical. Poseidon Eyes, for example, is almost an Alice in Wonderland tale set under the sea. And The Virtue of Minding Your Own Business has one word in it, a reference to a “holographic” will which thrusts it into the realm of something that could be defined as science fiction.
Overall these stories were enthralling to read. At times deliciously disturbing, utterly relatable and beautifully moving. I highly recommend this collection to fans of literary fiction, but I think there is something in this collection for every type of reader to enjoy.
4.5 stars.
Review copy courtesy of author/Sage's Blog Tours.
Review originally appeared at Aurelia {Lit} {Geek} {Chic}
b00kr3vi3ws's review
5.0
Amazing! It was simply amazing! This book was a collection of bizarrely amazing work of fiction. Each and every story had its own twists and turns with some very incredible characters. Right from ‘The Virtue of Minding Your Own Business’, Justin Bog manages to catch you unawares with a story about murder and regrets and only manages to tighten his grip on his readers through the other stories till the very end of ‘On the Back Staircase’. Each story has something distinct to tell you about human nature and psychology and each story has the capacity to make you sit and think for hours.
Whenever I have picked up a collection of short stories, there has always been a variety in the theme of the stories. While I found some stories to be serious, some were downright hilarious. If some were outstanding then there was bound to be some story that I would find borderline mediocre. But in this case, there is a common theme throughout – there is a very dark theme to this book and each story is brilliant on its own. The psychological aspects in some of the story creeped me out and I loved them.
Great imagination, attention to details, perfect narration and great characters – this book has it all. Once again -- Amazing!
I got the book for free as a part of VBTC blog tour and the copy that I received had the bonus chapter of Justin Bog’s upcoming novel “Wake me Up” and boy am I hooked! I can hardly wait to get my hands on it.
hellegade's review
5.0
This collection of short storys takes you on a psychological journey through human nature in all it's diversity. I highly recommend it.
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