jheinemann287's review against another edition
4.0
Jac Jemc's [b:The Grip of It|31574739|The Grip of It|Jac Jemc|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497915798l/31574739._SY75_.jpg|52264815] is the piece of fiction I recommend to friends more than any other novel. And I will forever read everything she writes.
While that novel haunts you for years afterwards, the collection of stories in False Bingo is more about awkward social situations--which is, perhaps, more scary than a haunted house for some people--and is more hit or miss. But that's the case with most collections, and when she hits, she hits hard.
Of the twenty stories, here are my favorites: "Strange Loop," "Delivery," "Under/Over," "Maulawiyah," "Don't Let's," and "Gladness or Joy."
Anyway, as usual, Will's review is much better than mine, so go read that.
While that novel haunts you for years afterwards, the collection of stories in False Bingo is more about awkward social situations--which is, perhaps, more scary than a haunted house for some people--and is more hit or miss. But that's the case with most collections, and when she hits, she hits hard.
Of the twenty stories, here are my favorites: "Strange Loop," "Delivery," "Under/Over," "Maulawiyah," "Don't Let's," and "Gladness or Joy."
Anyway, as usual, Will's review is much better than mine, so go read that.
eraofkara's review against another edition
I got about halfway through this before abandoning it. I really liked some of the stories, but overall I just couldn't get into it. I may pick up again later.
fracturescope's review against another edition
5.0
These short, uncanny stories exist fully in the moment. Reading them felt experiencing morsels of life--specifically experiencing sharp, jarring moments as a spectator, without regarding to the spectator's unanswered questions. I loved the atmosphere and tone of these stories, how horror/humor and empathy/callousness circled each other. I'm very glad I picked this collection up and look forward to reading more from Jac Jemc!
elizafiedler's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at 20%. Several of the stories strike me as just extended dad-jokes. I'm just not into this.
sofm's review against another edition
3.0
Had some good ones, had some meh ones. The one with the 3 dads was my favorite one.
oilpaintedeyes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
2.5
anthonyk's review against another edition
2.0
This is my first foray into Jac Jemc's writing. Her second collection clocks in at a little over 200 pages and consists of twenty (yes, twenty!) short stories. Meaning, a lot of these stories are incredibly short, most only a few pages, with the longest story sandwiched in the middle at around twenty or so pages. This collection was a disappointment as I had high expectations after seeing glowing reviews by people I trust, and from magazines I trust. The stories here are very quiet without being disquieting, the threat or the sense of unease or unsettlement is either nonexistent, or the thing causing it is never seen on page or is hinted at, but just barely. These stories to me were too short for me to feel anything: dread, disgust, horror, shock, sadness, despair, anything. A collection filled with mostly misses for me. Read this if you enjoy very short, quiet stories about people leading mundane lives.
Favorite stories: Delivery, Get Back, Manifest, Default, Trivial Pursuit
Favorite stories: Delivery, Get Back, Manifest, Default, Trivial Pursuit
addieneedsabook's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
daveroche's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
I picked this collection of short stories up from the library on a whim because the cover looked good, the author's name was interesting (and she's from Chicago), and it was close to the book I was actually looking up (Turn of the Screw, this was the more enjoyable of the two.
I liked it a lot. The first and last stories throw in a twist at the end that doesn't feel forced at all. All of the stories have interesting plots. And this was part was ideal for me: the stories are short. It's not flash fiction, but most are in the 7 to 12 page range (with a fewer longer ones), which fit perfectly with my schedule lately.
I liked it a lot. The first and last stories throw in a twist at the end that doesn't feel forced at all. All of the stories have interesting plots. And this was part was ideal for me: the stories are short. It's not flash fiction, but most are in the 7 to 12 page range (with a fewer longer ones), which fit perfectly with my schedule lately.
pearseanderson's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciated the hypermodernity of these pieces, and their biting quality, and, well, their shortness. At only 5 hours, this was a quick audiobook with some good details. But overall, I didn't see this collection as especially attention-grabbing or memorable, so I'll be giving it a 6/10