There's a very Twilight Zone feel to these short stories that I really enjoyed. I hate how a lot of horror (in movies and in books) has resorted to scThere's a very Twilight Zone feel to these short stories that I really enjoyed. I hate how a lot of horror (in movies and in books) has resorted to scare tactics and gore lately. Give me a well written, spine tingling ghost story and I'm a much happier person. The sci-fi centric stories in the collection were a bit more of a stretch for my interest, but I still enjoyed them....more
Read this out of curiosity as it sounded like something my conspiracy theory loving husband would enjoy. And I did end up telling him he needed to cheRead this out of curiosity as it sounded like something my conspiracy theory loving husband would enjoy. And I did end up telling him he needed to check it out. He knew the author as soon as I said his name so I'm assuming any sci-fi connoisseur would be familiar with him and not surprised that's it's a pretty well written story. Makes you wonder...about many things....more
The first two stories failed miserably and the rest never improved enough to make up for that. Most were ok but still felt too much like the output frThe first two stories failed miserably and the rest never improved enough to make up for that. Most were ok but still felt too much like the output from a creative writing class where angst young adults attempt to write about the dark side of human nature. When Oates hits the right cord she really nails it but that only happened for me on two of the stories. Not very many authors can pull off the macabre well and this is a prime example of an attempt can bad. ...more
Ok, this is my attempt to give Burroughs a second chance, and I’m sorry, but you’re still an annoying whiny ass. While I had to force myself to finishOk, this is my attempt to give Burroughs a second chance, and I’m sorry, but you’re still an annoying whiny ass. While I had to force myself to finish A Wolf at the Table, I actually found a few stories in Magical Thinking that I found humorous. It didn’t come anywhere near redeeming him in my opinion, though. Yeah, your childhood sucked and life doesn’t allows come out the way you want it to, but for the love of sanity, get over yourself Burroughs. ...more
This started off bad for me from the get go. The first essay about the infomercial guru felt as painful and tedious as actually watching an hour longThis started off bad for me from the get go. The first essay about the infomercial guru felt as painful and tedious as actually watching an hour long infomercial. The damn thing actually carried over the entire first CD to the second CD! My husband and I took to adding our own commentary about the obnoxiousness of infomercials (and Gladwell’s voice mannerisms) in order to help us suffer through the pain of listening to the essay. Moving forward, there were some higher points but overall I just couldn’t get into his style of writing. Just when I would start to get into one of the essays, he would branch off into one of his side stories that, for me, were distracting rather than supplementary. His essays are entirely too drawn out and bogged down with information overload for me. The favorite of mine was actually the title essay, “What the Dog Saw”, which, coincidentally, I believe was actually the shortest as well. But even that essay didn’t live up to my expectations for his writing based on other readers reviews. ...more
Decent collection of short stories about the tribulations of love. Essentially a collection of chic lit stories, although Weiner is a stronger writerDecent collection of short stories about the tribulations of love. Essentially a collection of chic lit stories, although Weiner is a stronger writer than most in that genre. There are usually at least a couple stories in any collection I can’t get into, but I don’t really recall not liking any of the ones here. None the less, while the stories are fun, they aren’t great. Would make a good beach or airplane read....more
There are a few gems in this book, but for the most part, the collection was a dud. The stories range from too cliché to too poorly written to just plThere are a few gems in this book, but for the most part, the collection was a dud. The stories range from too cliché to too poorly written to just plain old boring. If I hadn’t taken this with me to read on a plane, there’s a strong possibility this would have stayed on my night stand for months while I tried to finish reading it. Stranded on an airplane without much else to do, however, I finished it in one sitting and happily left it behind in the seat pocket when I disembarked. Good riddance. ...more
I keep piking up The Women at the bookstore, but haven't been willing yet to pony up the money. I ran across Tooth & Claw at Salvation Army and fiI keep piking up The Women at the bookstore, but haven't been willing yet to pony up the money. I ran across Tooth & Claw at Salvation Army and figured for a dollar I'd give it a shot to see if I like Boyle's style. Based on these stories, not so much. Th stories are very eclectic so there are a few that I enjoyed, but they were more the exception than the rule for me. His tendency to leave stories very open ended, with no real plot crescendo or conclusion, irritated me. His writing flows smoothly and he has a knack for words, but I just couldn't get into the stories. I tend to not like short stories as much, so I think I'll still give The Women a shot. Hopefully the longer formation will give me more time to get lost in his writing before the story grinds to a halt....more
I’ve been mulling over tackling Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell, so I figured this may be a good test run. I’m glad I tried this first, as I think itI’ve been mulling over tackling Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell, so I figured this may be a good test run. I’m glad I tried this first, as I think it has saved me from hours of torturous reading. There were a few stories that were bordering on acceptable, but the book never managed to truly captivate me. While I do not read this style often, I’ve read enough to feel confident that it is not the genre style, but rather the writer’s style, that was lacking. It was too stuffy, even for a British novel. The only saving grace for this book (and trust me, it is a minor one) was the level of folklore that was worked in. I love the English stories of faries and magic. That being said, I will be passing on Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell as well as everything and anything this author may feel the need to force upon unsuspecting readers....more
I love Gaiman’s quirky, macabre style of writing. Usually I can pick out a few stories that I like in a compilation, with the rest being so-so if notI love Gaiman’s quirky, macabre style of writing. Usually I can pick out a few stories that I like in a compilation, with the rest being so-so if not flat out bad. In Fragile Things, however, there wasn’t anything that I thought was not up to par. His humor is definitely twisted and slightly morbid, but that’s what I find so appealing about it. I’ve never been one for slap stick, in your face comedy. I like something with a bit more thought and intelligence. Gaiman’s sense of humor is much more laid back and, for me, humorous than the over the top comedy you usually find. I’m at a loss as to what else to say since he’s one of those authors that I read his stuff and it just feels like me. That sounds kind of lame, but I’m hooked....more
This was a very frustrating book. Just as I would start to get into one of the stories, it would switch to some random piece of crap interjected in anThis was a very frustrating book. Just as I would start to get into one of the stories, it would switch to some random piece of crap interjected in an attempt to tie it all together (or at least I'm assuming that's what their purpose is). Note to author: listing tidbits of information that go on forever is not an effective means of writing. It is boring and pointless at best, but more often it was distracting and irritating. I would have rather had one or two of the stories expanded into full length novels than only getting little snippets of actual quality writing washed out with utter garbage.
I suppose an argument could be made that their was a touching, underlying message about friendship and love and the fact that money can't buy you happiness. Except for the fact that it wasn't so much underlying as blatantly obvious, therefore reducing its ability to pack any sort of punch. Those subtle messages only work if you have the ability as an author to go beyond simple story formation (this book) into the realm of true literature (definitely not this book)....more
If I could give this book two different ratings, I would give it one star for the first half and four stars for the second half....so I'm giving it aIf I could give this book two different ratings, I would give it one star for the first half and four stars for the second half....so I'm giving it a rating somewhere in between. I think the turning point was when the stories transitioned from being merely informational to more along the lines of personal refelctions. There were a few authors I was not familiar with before that I will definitly be seeking out more of. The final story about Easter Island especially hit home for me. It dealt with the urge to find a sense of home in the world, choosing to return from places that you love and connect with due to an urge to always explore new areas and cultures....more
A good book to keep on the night stand since each story is short enough for a quick read before going to sleep. In general, Iseemed to enjoy the storiA good book to keep on the night stand since each story is short enough for a quick read before going to sleep. In general, Iseemed to enjoy the stories written by the Irish authors more than those written by non-Irish, but I kind of expected that. I was looking forward to seeing what Laura Lippman had to offer since I like her style usually. Her story was good, but not the best in the collection. My favorite was The Portrait of the Killer as a Young Man by Reed Farrel Coleman. The twist at the end of the story was perfect....more
This collection of short stories was included with the CD The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I had a hard time following it on CD since there didn'This collection of short stories was included with the CD The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I had a hard time following it on CD since there didn't seem to be a very clear distinction between when one story ended and another began. The language selection and style of writing is a bit crass, but this seems to add to the authentic feel of the stories. It feels more like an aquantance is relaying a story to you than like you are reading a book. It was an interesting view into a culture different than mine, but I found myself easily distracted, and therefore often having to go back and restart a story.
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