mergrubb's review
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
1.25
auntrurah's review
5.0
Richly drawn characters. Each story is so unique it could lead you to believe they were written by different authors.
torireadsagain's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
4.75
rdhk's review
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into this volume of short stories not expecting much—so much literary short fiction is unbearably pretentious. This book has the most sparkling prose, conversations bursting with wit and discomfort, and horribly messed up, fascinating characters. As an international lawyer, the fictionalised narrative about one of the authors of the infamous "torture memos" was like a trainwreck—I couldn't tear my eyes away. The book manages to be deeply tense and moody without being dreary. Ten on ten!
elizabethgonnering's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hilloryjoy's review
3.0
I decided to read this book based on the cover design when I saw it on the shelf at the library - and then thinking the description sounded good. Most of the individual stories were interesting, however for the most part there were no likable characters. I also found that some of the stories were very loose in their relation to "creative types". Overall, the collections of stories was fine, but I didn't love it.
naferris's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
cecilia10's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0