rosered879's review against another edition
5.0
Wow— each and every one of those stories is going to linger. I have always struggled to understand the appeal of short stories, but I think I get it with this book.
betweenbookends's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5
This short story collection which consists of 13 stories, simply just took my breath away. The stories in this collection are realistic but have a sort of weird/magical realism-esque undertone to it. Some stories are more realistic, some others distinctly surreal and some sort of straddle the border and could be arguably either. So it would be the perfect choice if you are not sure whether you enjoy magical realism, but you want to give it a try, nonetheless.
The general theme within most of the stories in this collection deal with loss in some form or the other and its so incredibly beautifully captured. It just left me in awe of how touching, painful, real and tangible words on a page can be, and how it can invoke such powerful emotions from within. The stories in this collection explore sadness, humour, joy, science, mystery, magic and our relationships with the natural world with incredible deftness and I was completely consumed into every story. And. I have to talk about Anne Valente's writing. It's absolutely stunning and fluid without being overdone.
This collection was just perfect in every single way, and it is one of the best books I have ever read. And one that I know I'll keep revisiting.
This short story collection which consists of 13 stories, simply just took my breath away. The stories in this collection are realistic but have a sort of weird/magical realism-esque undertone to it. Some stories are more realistic, some others distinctly surreal and some sort of straddle the border and could be arguably either. So it would be the perfect choice if you are not sure whether you enjoy magical realism, but you want to give it a try, nonetheless.
The general theme within most of the stories in this collection deal with loss in some form or the other and its so incredibly beautifully captured. It just left me in awe of how touching, painful, real and tangible words on a page can be, and how it can invoke such powerful emotions from within. The stories in this collection explore sadness, humour, joy, science, mystery, magic and our relationships with the natural world with incredible deftness and I was completely consumed into every story. And. I have to talk about Anne Valente's writing. It's absolutely stunning and fluid without being overdone.
This collection was just perfect in every single way, and it is one of the best books I have ever read. And one that I know I'll keep revisiting.
em_harring's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing, amazing collection. I love Valente's writing! She writes so beautifully. Definitely recommend!
alexandrahope91's review against another edition
5.0
All of this was great, most of it was depressing, and some of it was terribly depressing.
I can’t wait to reread this which is my main hallmark of a fantastic read. I’m not going to pretend to have understood or completely connected with all of these stories (especially the ones that feature a more “magical-realism” theme) but that kind of excites me. Because now it’s a new mission of mine upon reread.
Most of these stories feature an other-worldly take on very “worldly” problems like death, grief, abuse, assault, abandonment, parenting, and coming-of-age. Some of these are whimsical and breathtaking, some poetic and lyrical, some are horribly grounding. I don’t know, you should just read this.
Okay below you shall find a brief, non-spoilery reaction of each story:
Latchkey: Confused, but I don’t care, that was adorable.
Dear Amelia: What the eff.
To a Place Where We Take Flight: My heart.
Terrible Angels: Yea, I’m on board with this.
A Taste of Tea: This is possibly my favorite thing in the world.
Everything That Was Ours: Not gonna lie, didn’t love it, but sure.
By Light We Knew Our Names: I want to die.
If Everything Fell Silent, Even Sirens: This felt slightly like melodrama, but didn’t hate.
A Very Compassionate Baby: Can we talk about this???? Read this book so we can talk about this baby please.
Minivan: Please end me.
Not for Ghosts or Daffodils: I want to bottle this story and keep it with me always.
Until Our Shadows Claim Us: I’m getting a very “It” or “Slenderman” vibe from this. I love it and I love it a lot.
Mollusk, Membrane, Human Heart: Where is my coffin?
For the N.E.W.T.S readathon this fits the prompt for Acceptable in Astronomy: a book with stars on the cover.
I can’t wait to reread this which is my main hallmark of a fantastic read. I’m not going to pretend to have understood or completely connected with all of these stories (especially the ones that feature a more “magical-realism” theme) but that kind of excites me. Because now it’s a new mission of mine upon reread.
Most of these stories feature an other-worldly take on very “worldly” problems like death, grief, abuse, assault, abandonment, parenting, and coming-of-age. Some of these are whimsical and breathtaking, some poetic and lyrical, some are horribly grounding. I don’t know, you should just read this.
Okay below you shall find a brief, non-spoilery reaction of each story:
Latchkey: Confused, but I don’t care, that was adorable.
Dear Amelia: What the eff.
To a Place Where We Take Flight: My heart.
Terrible Angels: Yea, I’m on board with this.
A Taste of Tea: This is possibly my favorite thing in the world.
Everything That Was Ours: Not gonna lie, didn’t love it, but sure.
By Light We Knew Our Names: I want to die.
If Everything Fell Silent, Even Sirens: This felt slightly like melodrama, but didn’t hate.
A Very Compassionate Baby: Can we talk about this???? Read this book so we can talk about this baby please.
Minivan: Please end me.
Not for Ghosts or Daffodils: I want to bottle this story and keep it with me always.
Until Our Shadows Claim Us: I’m getting a very “It” or “Slenderman” vibe from this. I love it and I love it a lot.
Mollusk, Membrane, Human Heart: Where is my coffin?
For the N.E.W.T.S readathon this fits the prompt for Acceptable in Astronomy: a book with stars on the cover.
veelaughtland's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
By Light We Knew Our Names by Anne Valente was, although a good and highly entertaining short story collection, nonetheless a victim of the hype machine for me. I wish that I had come across this collection having never heard of it before, simply being drawn in by the beautiful cover and the enticing synopsis, rather than by the rave reviews from various people on BookTube. I can't help but wonder if my experience of the book would have been heightened even just a little. But nevertheless, this is still a very good read, and one that although I didn't adore like so many people, I would in fact return to and read again.
The eleven stories in this collection all have a sadness at their centre, with some being more hopeful than others. They cover a variety of topics, from sexual assault and adultery, to grief and illness. Very heavy subjects indeed, and ones that, based on my initial reading of the first story, I was not expecting at all. However, for the most part I did feel that the somewhat heavier stories were in fact the better stories in this collection.
My opinion regarding my favourites in this collection may be an unpopular one, because I actually felt that the stories in the second half of this collection were a lot stronger, and I found my enjoyment increasing a great deal towards the end, which bumped my rating up a half star. My favourites in the collection would have to be Latchkey (the first story, and the only one I have read twice), By Light We Knew Our Names (brutal but beautiful), Minivan, Until Our Shadows Claim Us (possibly my favourite in the collection, and the one that drew me in the most), and Mollusk, Membrane, Human Heart.
I am glad that I read this collection finally, but I'm afraid I wasn't as enamoured by it as so many other people were. Like I said though, this is a collection that I would return to, as now I know what to expect from it, I feel I may be more open to just letting myself sit and experience the stories on a slightly deeper level. Anne Valente can definitely write, and although her writing was not quite as lyrical as I was expecting based on other people's reviews, there were now and again some very heart wrenching moments that held me fast and wouldn't let me go.
By Light We Knew Our Names by Anne Valente was, although a good and highly entertaining short story collection, nonetheless a victim of the hype machine for me. I wish that I had come across this collection having never heard of it before, simply being drawn in by the beautiful cover and the enticing synopsis, rather than by the rave reviews from various people on BookTube. I can't help but wonder if my experience of the book would have been heightened even just a little. But nevertheless, this is still a very good read, and one that although I didn't adore like so many people, I would in fact return to and read again.
The eleven stories in this collection all have a sadness at their centre, with some being more hopeful than others. They cover a variety of topics, from sexual assault and adultery, to grief and illness. Very heavy subjects indeed, and ones that, based on my initial reading of the first story, I was not expecting at all. However, for the most part I did feel that the somewhat heavier stories were in fact the better stories in this collection.
My opinion regarding my favourites in this collection may be an unpopular one, because I actually felt that the stories in the second half of this collection were a lot stronger, and I found my enjoyment increasing a great deal towards the end, which bumped my rating up a half star. My favourites in the collection would have to be Latchkey (the first story, and the only one I have read twice), By Light We Knew Our Names (brutal but beautiful), Minivan, Until Our Shadows Claim Us (possibly my favourite in the collection, and the one that drew me in the most), and Mollusk, Membrane, Human Heart.
I am glad that I read this collection finally, but I'm afraid I wasn't as enamoured by it as so many other people were. Like I said though, this is a collection that I would return to, as now I know what to expect from it, I feel I may be more open to just letting myself sit and experience the stories on a slightly deeper level. Anne Valente can definitely write, and although her writing was not quite as lyrical as I was expecting based on other people's reviews, there were now and again some very heart wrenching moments that held me fast and wouldn't let me go.
lamusadelils's review against another edition
5.0
Una de las colecciones de cuentos mas bellas (Y tristes. Y furiosas. Y, después de todo, optimistas) que he leído últimamente.
katkinslee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse
queenfury's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
sarahjjs's review against another edition
5.0
This is spectacular, I really like short story collections - I know they are not for everyone but I love them.
This is the perfect example as to why I don't like anthologies, you need the body of work from the author to make the collection complete.
I think this would be a nice place to start if they are not your thing.
This is the perfect example as to why I don't like anthologies, you need the body of work from the author to make the collection complete.
I think this would be a nice place to start if they are not your thing.