thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Medical content, and Death
rcsreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
This was a little disappointing but it was mainly the publishers fault rather than the book. If you use both the words "terror" and "terrifying" on the back of the book people are going to expect scary stories. There's not any. Also, bigging up the titular story and then putting it last means by the time you get to it it's going to be disappointing.
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I did like Jackson's writing style though and once I shifted my expectations away from horror and more towards depressed, suburban housewives I enjoyed the stories more. My favourites were "Charles" (hard relate 🤣) and "Pillar of Salt".
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I did like Jackson's writing style though and once I shifted my expectations away from horror and more towards depressed, suburban housewives I enjoyed the stories more. My favourites were "Charles" (hard relate 🤣) and "Pillar of Salt".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
amymcphrsn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One of the best short story collections I’ve read! But due to the nature of short story collections there’s always a couple duds hence the 3.5 stars.
The Lottery itself is so tense and distressing, especially not knowing exactly what this ritual entails right until the end. Other favourites were The Daemon Lover, The Renegade, After You My Dear Alphonse, Charles, The Tooth and Got A Letter From Jimmy.
I really enjoy the way Shirley Jackson brings horror elements into everyday life and situations, and the focus of psychological distress in seemingly mundane and not distressing situations. A great deep dive into the classic Shirley Jackson themes and tropes.
The Lottery itself is so tense and distressing, especially not knowing exactly what this ritual entails right until the end. Other favourites were The Daemon Lover, The Renegade, After You My Dear Alphonse, Charles, The Tooth and Got A Letter From Jimmy.
I really enjoy the way Shirley Jackson brings horror elements into everyday life and situations, and the focus of psychological distress in seemingly mundane and not distressing situations. A great deep dive into the classic Shirley Jackson themes and tropes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Racism
aliteracja's review against another edition
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Racism
alwaysweasel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Alcohol, and Racism
Minor: Violence
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Death and Racism
bxtsu's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Sexism
eli_jw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.0
As is classic for a collection of short stories, some of these I loved, some I hated and some made me viscerally uncomfortable. The writing is fantastic through all though! My favourites were "The Tooth", "Pillar of Salt" and of course "The Lottery".
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Murder, Animal cruelty, Injury/injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
sunn_bleach's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
The namesake short story is still amazing today, but the other stories here have their own share of small-town small-mindedness and New England gothic horror.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
katiieecat's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There were a few stories I loved. The Lottery, obviously, but also The Flower Garden, The Tooth, and The Witch. Some I found a bit boring as not much happened.
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny and Racism