A review by ramonamead
The Color Master: Stories by Aimee Bender

4.0

I don't read a lot of short story collections yet I love everything Aimee Bender writes. Most of her stories are set in reality and she stretches the confines just enough to make her far fetched premises believable. Her writing style is concise yet poetic and magical, she paints beautiful images without excessive, flowery wording. Her characters evoke compassion and understanding, even when they are not of this world. While I really liked Bender's novel, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, I appreciate her short stories more because the "weirdness" feels more believable in small doses. Any of these stories I enjoyed might lose their magic if drawn out into a novel. I highly recommend Bender's work for readers looking for a unique experience.