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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Fresh Complaint in Books

Jan 10, 2018  
Fresh Complaint
Fresh Complaint
Jeffrey Eugenides | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Jeffrey Eugenides' short story collection features a variety of stories written across the course of his career, many featured earlier in various publications in previous forms. From the sperm switching antics of "Baster" to the complications of nationality and marriage in "Fresh Complaint" to money and morality in "Great Experiment," we're treated to Eugenides' usual excellent writing and perspective on characters and life.

I often skip story collections, as I tend to feel a loss with them, as if the tale is unfinished, and I just want more details about each character and their motivations and end-state. I picked up FRESH COMPLAINT based solely on my love for Eugenides (Middlesex is an all-time favorite). I won't lie: I still felt that same unfinished feeling at the end of most of the stories. Clearly I just am meant more for long-form fiction. I also hadn't realized when I picked up the book that most of the stories were previously published, but luckily I am not usually reading The New Yorker and such, so I hadn't come across any of these previously.

One of the most exciting discoveries for me was, upon completing "Baster," confirming that it was indeed the premise for the silly film "The Switch" with Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston that is an incredibly guilty pleasure of mine. The story differs from the film, but you can clearly see how it's the base, and it's quite enjoyable.

Another favorite of mine was "Fresh Complaint," the final story in the collection, and clearly where it gets its title. We meet a young woman, Prakrtri, who is struggling with the fact that her family is trying to arrange a marriage for her, and a college professor who is traveling for work. How their paths cross is quite interesting. It's detailed, touching, and yet disturbing.

My other favorite was "Great Experiment" featuring an editor, Kendall, in his mid-thirties. He's comparing himself (unfavorably) to his peers, as he struggles financially in his job and resentfully watches his wealthy boss live well while not even providing Kendall health insurance. The story takes an interesting turn, and, as with much of Eugenides work, seems to have a greater message for us.

Overall, I didn't enjoy this as much as an Eugenides novel, because there just isn't the time to fall for his nuanced characters. I still enjoyed many of the stories and realize I probably gravitated toward "Fresh Complaint" and "Great Experiment" because they were some of the longer tales in the collection. If you like Eugenides, you may want to pick up this collection (provided you haven't already read the stories elsewhere). If you haven't read him in any form, go find Middlesex instead. 3.5 stars.
  
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Dana (24 KP) rated The Too-Clever Fox (Grisha Verse, #2.5) in Books

Mar 23, 2018  
TT
The Too-Clever Fox (Grisha Verse, #2.5)
Leigh Bardugo | 2013
8
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
One thing I love about Leigh Bardugo is that she goes so in depth in the world she created! I absolutely love basically anything Leigh Bardugo will ever write, these short stories included!

This story, like the others, gives the female characters so much agency and power!!

There are spoilers in the rest of the review from here, so be warned!

We, as both the readers and as the Fox, don't suspect this seemingly weak character to be able to do anything, but boy does she surprise us!! I loved how the fox was so trusting in this girl because how could a girl be dangerous? Right? WRONG!!!

This is just another beautiful addition to Leigh Bardugo's already amazing collection of works!1

Please just read all of the folk tales she releases from this series/world!! It adds so much depth to the already fantastic world she created!
  
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Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated You Won't Remember This in Books

Sep 23, 2019  
You Won't Remember This
You Won't Remember This
Kate Blackwell | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I spent a long time thinking about what to write about this book. Let me start by describing it. This book is full of very short stories. Stories with no ending. As if they are a collection of chapters from different stories. Each story was a snippet of the intricacies of relationships, marriages (or break down of marriages) for the most part. I wasn't sure if I liked it. They seemed to have no end. It felt incomplete. But then one evening I found myself lying in bed, having just finished one of these snippets, wondering what would happen next with these characters that I found myself relating to and interacting with so quickly. Before I knew it I was creating their ending, be it happy and idealistic or completely magical and unrealistic. I think I may just go back and reread to make up some endings for the first few