Paul’s review of Seven Empty Houses > Likes and Comments
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Hmm, that can be a problem with story collections - I have an ARC too, so nice to have my expectations framed.
Roman Clodia wrote: "Hmm, that can be a problem with story collections - I have an ARC too, so nice to have my expectations framed."
Well in a way its my prejudice against story collections showing through. If they are all very different I say they lack coherence. And if they are similar I say they are variations on a theme. And what I am really saying is 'write a novel but please use your short story skills to make it a short one.'
I'm often the same with short stories - I want them to be a collection without duplication, not an anthology.
Pleased that you reviewed this, Paul. I really liked that there was a theme and the concept (of seven houses). My favourite stories were: None of That, Breath from the Depths and Two Square Feet. I liked all stories except for The Unlucky Man. All stories were highly effective as you said and well written. I have not read "Mouthful of Birds" but you seem to prefer it. Ebba
I just realized that my favourite story was Salir (the last one). I read this in Spanish, so I am not so familiar with the English titles.
That one didn’t work so well for me but more because I read it last and it felt a variation on a theme.
I loved your summaries. Although it is a generalization I do not like Latin writers generally, but possibly with a good translator as you so carefully pointed out the tone maybe more palatable to me
Thankyou for the time you took to review & sum up this book.
Three stars...I might stay away from this one....I was so impressed (and ofttimes spooked out) by her previous works!
Fever Dream was brilliant. I am just getting diminishing returns as well as probably judging by the unrealistic benchmark of that book.
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Roman Clodia
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Oct 08, 2022 07:47AM
Hmm, that can be a problem with story collections - I have an ARC too, so nice to have my expectations framed.
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Roman Clodia wrote: "Hmm, that can be a problem with story collections - I have an ARC too, so nice to have my expectations framed."Well in a way its my prejudice against story collections showing through. If they are all very different I say they lack coherence. And if they are similar I say they are variations on a theme. And what I am really saying is 'write a novel but please use your short story skills to make it a short one.'
I'm often the same with short stories - I want them to be a collection without duplication, not an anthology.
Pleased that you reviewed this, Paul. I really liked that there was a theme and the concept (of seven houses). My favourite stories were: None of That, Breath from the Depths and Two Square Feet. I liked all stories except for The Unlucky Man. All stories were highly effective as you said and well written. I have not read "Mouthful of Birds" but you seem to prefer it. Ebba
I just realized that my favourite story was Salir (the last one). I read this in Spanish, so I am not so familiar with the English titles.
That one didn’t work so well for me but more because I read it last and it felt a variation on a theme.
I loved your summaries. Although it is a generalization I do not like Latin writers generally, but possibly with a good translator as you so carefully pointed out the tone maybe more palatable to me Thankyou for the time you took to review & sum up this book.
Three stars...I might stay away from this one....I was so impressed (and ofttimes spooked out) by her previous works!
Fever Dream was brilliant. I am just getting diminishing returns as well as probably judging by the unrealistic benchmark of that book.
