Some of the most perfect writing I’ve ever read, although the endings sometimes don’t quite come together for me (and I would avoid the story called �Some of the most perfect writing I’ve ever read, although the endings sometimes don’t quite come together for me (and I would avoid the story called “Hair� entirely). But the way she uses words! So good! ...more
Manages to be hard-boiled and cute at the same time. Mostly in a good way, although sometimes not. Not sure why it’s so short? This would be a great fManages to be hard-boiled and cute at the same time. Mostly in a good way, although sometimes not. Not sure why it’s so short? This would be a great first third of a novel!...more
So the only thing I knew about this before reading it was the title. I think somehow I had the idea that it was going to be similar to I Capture the CSo the only thing I knew about this before reading it was the title. I think somehow I had the idea that it was going to be similar to I Capture the Castle? And, I wasn’t exactly wrong but I hadn’t quite thought about how Shirley Jackson might interpret that, e.g: “what a charming idea, but how about if it’s much, MUCH more horrifying?�...more
Lots of lovely bits, like the very cozy ship and the gug and what happens when you switch to the waking world...basically this is the first third of aLots of lovely bits, like the very cozy ship and the gug and what happens when you switch to the waking world...basically this is the first third of a really amazing novel. Just wish there was more of it!...more
Amish people in the apocalypse? YES PLEASE. I thought the voice of the main character wasn't quiiiite right but otherwise this was fascinating.Amish people in the apocalypse? YES PLEASE. I thought the voice of the main character wasn't quiiiite right but otherwise this was fascinating....more
This book was adooorable. I just wish it had been longer; the magic aspect seemed like an afterthought but it was cool and worth exploring. Still--194This book was adooorable. I just wish it had been longer; the magic aspect seemed like an afterthought but it was cool and worth exploring. Still--1940s lesbian romance in San Francisco? Shut up and take my money. (Or, well, take my interlibrary loan request)...more
I read this whole book on the same day I saw the total eclipse, and the two experiences echoed each other in a way, a glimpse into a completely unexpeI read this whole book on the same day I saw the total eclipse, and the two experiences echoed each other in a way, a glimpse into a completely unexpected way of seeing things...with a dragging sense of dread at the end of the world. ...more
so right after reading this book I had to walk down a lot of dark streets at night in an unfamiliar city in a foreign country in order to find a so right after reading this book I had to walk down a lot of dark streets at night in an unfamiliar city in a foreign country in order to find a filled with creepy dolls and bizarre relics from the past and I just KNEW I was going to walk up a flight of stairs and see a portrait of myself dressed just as I was that day BUT WITH NO EYES
All the words that come to mind are cliches, like "biting wit" and "incisive satire" but none of it quite covers the deep feeling of YES that I got reAll the words that come to mind are cliches, like "biting wit" and "incisive satire" but none of it quite covers the deep feeling of YES that I got reading this. I think those twelve maids had been following me around without me knowing it, and now they've been (sort of) put to rest. This year I read The Odyssey itself, and then The Lost Books of The Odyssey...and this one somehow fills in the cracks in a very satisfying and feminist way. While still being funny, and fun to read, and horrifying, in that particular Margaret Atwood way. ...more
Okay, let's just get this out of the way right now: yes, a lady has sex with a bear in this book. but before you get all "hur hur hur bear-sex" about Okay, let's just get this out of the way right now: yes, a lady has sex with a bear in this book. but before you get all "hur hur hur bear-sex" about it let me also tell you that it's an amazing, clear-eyed, feminist, engrossing, challenging book that is up there with Margaret Atwood in both prose style and social commentary....more
A cute little story with surprisingly fab writing, and I was all set to give it three stars until the epilogue! I have been burned by epilogues beforeA cute little story with surprisingly fab writing, and I was all set to give it three stars until the epilogue! I have been burned by epilogues before (AHEM Harry Potter; Hunger Games) but this was the best epilogue OF ALL TIME. Or at least of this week. ...more
What there was of it, was excellent. I just wish there was a little more to it. Even so, it's totally worth reading for the food alone. The food is epWhat there was of it, was excellent. I just wish there was a little more to it. Even so, it's totally worth reading for the food alone. The food is epic. Mythic, even. ...more
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