Spencer's review
Pastoralia
by George Saunders
Spencer's review
Pastoralia by George Saunders
Spencer's review
rating:
I'm doing this from memory, hope I don't leave any out--
"Pastoralia" - some interesting ideas (and some all too familiar ones) about human social organization; dull characters and plot. Far too long.
"Winky" - wacky but one-dimensional. The ending, as with many of the other stories in this collection, is pretty predictable.
"Sea Oak" - hysterical and sophisticated, the best story in the book.
"The End of FIRPO in the World" - very touching and an interesting protagonist, but so short it felt underdeveloped. I wish this story had been much longer.
"The Barber's Unhappiness" - Some interesting episodes in this story, but little insight, and more of the same flat stock characters and predictable ending.
"The Falls" - The by-now-familiar characters are fleshed out a bit more here, and it does pay off. The conflict, when it comes, is compelling, but I wish it had been sustained a little longer.
"Pastoralia" - some interesting ideas (and some all too familiar ones) about human social organization; dull characters and plot. Far too long.
"Winky" - wacky but one-dimensional. The ending, as with many of the other stories in this collection, is pretty predictable.
"Sea Oak" - hysterical and sophisticated, the best story in the book.
"The End of FIRPO in the World" - very touching and an interesting protagonist, but so short it felt underdeveloped. I wish this story had been much longer.
"The Barber's Unhappiness" - Some interesting episodes in this story, but little insight, and more of the same flat stock characters and predictable ending.
"The Falls" - The by-now-familiar characters are fleshed out a bit more here, and it does pay off. The conflict, when it comes, is compelling, but I wish it had been sustained a little longer.
