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litoreads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity and Kidnapping
This may be a small book with short stories, but they are realistic and definitely for adults. Recommend for those above 30.befrazzledenby's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.5
Loved So Late in the Day and The Long and Painful Death, absolutely hated Antarctica. Still processing what that means in terms of literary progression and themes Keegan explored here, but that’s where I stand. God, does she know how to write endings though.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
carmina_r's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Spare, every word meaningful. Quietly alarming stories, especially the first and last.
Graphic: Misogyny and Kidnapping
herzeloyde's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Kidnapping
sophiaroesler's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
Moderate: Misogyny and Kidnapping
ilana_pop's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Another gem by Claire Keegan.
Graphic: Kidnapping
teresaelj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Claire Keegan will never cease to amaze me. Everything she writes is so spot on; so simply written yet so deliciously addictive.
In this book of short stories Keegan left me wanting more and more.
The first story of a unsatisfied man who drives away the one woman who loved him and has to wrestle with his own sins on his what should have been wedding day.
A writer who is unsure of a story to write gains an easy tale when an older man decides to critique her.
And a woman seeking an extramarital affair - just to try once- gets herself into a situation that is much too good to be true and turns incredibly sinister.
This story particularly took me. Reminding me a bit of Hemingways short stories- the concept of hell that the lovers talk of is exactly where we leave the main character. It’s so stunning I find myself left amazed that a tale that intense and details was only a few simple pages. Cannot recommend enough.
In this book of short stories Keegan left me wanting more and more.
The first story of a unsatisfied man who drives away the one woman who loved him and has to wrestle with his own sins on his what should have been wedding day.
A writer who is unsure of a story to write gains an easy tale when an older man decides to critique her.
And a woman seeking an extramarital affair - just to try once- gets herself into a situation that is much too good to be true and turns incredibly sinister.
This story particularly took me. Reminding me a bit of Hemingways short stories- the concept of hell that the lovers talk of is exactly where we leave the main character. It’s so stunning I find myself left amazed that a tale that intense and details was only a few simple pages. Cannot recommend enough.
Moderate: Rape and Kidnapping
gillthequill's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
"So Late in the Day" is a mixed offering. Of the three stories, the first two, the titular "So Late in the Day" and "The Long and Painful Death" were wonderful, thought-provoking reads. "So Late in the Day" the short story built a slow sense of dread as the reader tried to figure out what was truly going on that crescendos into an examination on toxic masculinity and a lack of growth. "The Long and Painful Death" was a quiet piece on expectations, societal roles, and the small victories women take to gain power. However, the last story, "Antarctica" just brought down the whole story collection. I thought, at first, it was a story akin to Kate Chopin's "A Pair of Silk Stockings" and was enjoying this small affair. However, with foreshadowing that seems obvious in hindsight, it ends, instead, with a cruel twist that just left a sour taste that soured the entire work. It felt like a cliché ending: woman sins and ends up in a fate worse than death. Frankly, if you do read this short story collection, just read the first two and skip the last one because of how much it brings down the work as a whole.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Stalking
merisavale's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Amazing writing as always, but this collection of stories took a darker turn than the other stuff of hers that I have read. I still enjoyed it but didn’t feel as satisfied at the end. Except the middle one, I loved that one.
Graphic: Kidnapping
lindseyph's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence and Kidnapping