Scan barcode
jillpadams's review against another edition
2.0
Learned about Nisi Shawl from the “How Long Til Black Future Month” collection.
I feel like it takes a lot of craft to make a short story feel well developed and complete, satisfying. Some good concepts here, a lot of folklore-style tales or light fantasy, and some interesting characters, but: most of these stories end abruptly, without that feeling.
I feel like it takes a lot of craft to make a short story feel well developed and complete, satisfying. Some good concepts here, a lot of folklore-style tales or light fantasy, and some interesting characters, but: most of these stories end abruptly, without that feeling.
krinirin's review against another edition
4.0
This story definitely surprised me. I thought it was going to go one way and it went in the other. It was a nice surprise.
lille_in_the_ville's review against another edition
3.0
It was fascinating to read this set of stories, all of which pull from traditions, cultures and experiences quite different from my own. There were times that I felt I was missing too many allusions to fully grasp Shawl's meanings and resonances, but the stories were still gripping and beautifully crafted. I was especially pleased to read "Wallamelon," which draws on the mythology of The Blue Lady that I first read about in this 1997 article and have thought would make fascinating background for a story.
paltrygeist's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
tricapra's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent short story collection, that took me an impossibly long time to read (no fault of the author). I'll be reading more from Ms. Shawl in the future.
megatsunami's review against another edition
4.0
Do yourself a favor and check out this beautiful, moving set of diverse (in theme, character, voice, and genre) short stories. Shawl brings to life various mythologies of the African diaspora in highly original ways. This is speculative fiction in the best sense of the phrase. My favorites were the touching, heartbreaking "Wallamelon", as well as the intriguing sci-fi tale "Good Boy" in which characters blur the lines between mental illness and divine possession while a space colony is trying to cope with a pandemic. Highly recommended.
ratkingmebitch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
5.0
books_and_keys's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0