though ‘things have gotten worse since we last spoke and other misfortunes’ was my first larocca experience, i was still aware of the titular wo[3.75]
though ‘things have gotten worse since we last spoke and other misfortunes’ was my first larocca experience, i was still aware of the titular works viral notoriety, and it definitely did not disappoint!
larocca’s collection of dark, almost nihilistic stories spotlight the authors flair and diversity. from an unhinged relationship told through instant messaging threads to a family navigating grief while relocating to a remote island, each story features connecting threads of human interaction, religion, desperation, and appropriately, misfortune.
each narrative has a distinct tone, and it’s evident that larocca’s talents span a range of styles and sub-genres — even from this shorter snapshot of their work!
my personal favourite was the titular ‘things have gotten worse since we last spoke’, with ‘the enchantment’ being a close second — i adored the imagery in here, it almost played like a movie in my head! i still enjoyed the collections closing story, through it did feel a tiny bit overshadowed by the previous instalments. so excited to read more from this author!!
just want to share my thanks to all involved for the advanced reading copy! ‘things have gotten worse since we last spoke and other misfortunes’ is available from 6 september 2022 ...more
although this got a bit silly and just too outlandish for my personal taste, there’s no denying the talent sager has and his reputation within the genalthough this got a bit silly and just too outlandish for my personal taste, there’s no denying the talent sager has and his reputation within the genre. excited to explore more of riley’s backlog!!...more
thank you to all involved for the opportunity to read + review this early!
i usually find collections a bit harder to rate as the quality can vary betwthank you to all involved for the opportunity to read + review this early!
i usually find collections a bit harder to rate as the quality can vary between entries, but this is one of those rare exceptions!! i don’t think i’ve read such consistently well written, developed and bold short-stories before ghost lover. from all-consuming obsession and love, to inescapable insecurity and trauma, there’s nothing taddeo shies away from.
exploring the harsh and unforgiving female experience, lisa writes incredibly raw and unapologetic characters with such substance and humanity. i felt more invested in some of these women than others i’ve spent full length novels with, and (whether i care to fully admit it or not LOL), i feel that myself and every reader will see reflections of themselves in these nine stories.
my favourite entry was the obsessive and arresting ‘forty-two’, the last sentence was just stunning!!
i adored reading these candid and at times ugly stories of desire, obsession, sexuality and insecurity in the lives of such human characters. told from many perspectives with lisa’s confronting style, it’s a must read!!...more
big thank you to all involved for the opportunity to read + review this early!
although defined as a horror-fiction short story collection, i feel[3.5]
big thank you to all involved for the opportunity to read + review this early!
although defined as a horror-fiction short story collection, i feel a whole new self-titled genre for sayaka murata would be more fitting!
murata’s trademark societal observations told with her unrepeated prose made this collection so exciting. as with most collected works, ‘life ceremony’ can be inconsistent, but the stories that hit are stunning and so individual.
most of sayaka’s stories are based on the mundane, relatable lived experiences of humans; our identity, food, life, death, our bodies and relationships — but they all have a foot in sayaka’s bizarre, lucid, dream-like world.
i can’t decide whether to pin the blame on the collection itself or the fact i read this in one sitting, but some of the shorter stories i found to be forgettable. the titular ‘life ceremony’ and ‘a first rate material’ are stand out entries for me, and are stunning examples of murata’s talent and inventiveness.
sayaka is easily one of the most original minds in her genre, and whether she is for you or not, her talent is undeniable!!...more
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