leonie_s's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoy Nickolas Butlers writing, can't wait to read more of his work. Almost every short story made me wish for more.
leapfeetfirst's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this collection of short stories. Each story was so well told and the characters were so lifelike. As a long time Wisconsinite, I could easily conjure up an image of someone in my life, or someone I've seen in the bars or grocery store when reading these stories. While some of the stories may be fantastical, they are all beautifully tragic in their own way.
krismarley's review against another edition
3.0
I liked Shotgun Lovesongs. This, not as much. His writing is so sad to me. Not sad like bad. Sad like makes me feel sad. Butler has a unique voice.
ktrusty416's review against another edition
5.0
I love Nickolas Butler's stories. Whether in the form of a novel(Shotgun Lovesongs) or in short form, as with collection, Butler writes with such humanity, imbuing his characters with such grace, vulnerability and kindness, that even as horrible things are happening around them you pray that they won't/can't be indelibly marked by what transpires. On the way to work this morning I actually cried on the subway whilst reading the final story, "Apples". Can't wait for more (tears, beauty and grace).
myfrogmonster's review
4.0
Short stories are not my first go to for reading but I was looking for other audiobooks narrated by a few favorites. In this case it is Holter Graham. I have loved other books he read so gave this one a try. I ended up really enjoying these stories. Maybe living in the upper midwest helped since they all take place in WI/MN. And maybe my love of Graham's narrations also helped but all in all this was a solid group of stories, endearing, bitter, and sweet
renee_pompeii's review against another edition
5.0
Butler is one hell of a writer. Reading these stories is like sitting down with a man from each stage of life and hearing his confession. Amazing, beautiful stuff.
patsaintsfan's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the author's writing, and I might even check out his novel. My rating reflects my inability to love short stories. So, it's me, not the book... After all, isn't 3 stars is I liked it...?
sighants's review against another edition
2.0
Intense. Weird. Definitely not as sweet as his first book. The stories were wonderfully written but unsettling.
bryceoc's review against another edition
3.0
The writing is good, and the stories all have decent characters, but the collection as a whole left no real impact. The two exceptions for me are "In Western Counties" and "Train People Move Slow", at the end of the book. I enjoyed most of the book, and I think it's definitely worth a read. But a lot of the stories, as well-written as they were, just didn't stick with me like I hoped they would.
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