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arianadcav's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
damn this blew my mind. i've never read anything like this before and i mean that in the best way possible. i love southern queer asians and most of the characters fit that bill! i feel haunted by these stories in a manner that's kind of mesmerizing
hollihobbi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
taibreakfast's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The quote on the cover is true: astonishing and mesmerizing, for sure! Each story is so compact and original, I needed to let each one breathe before moving on to the next. Transports you to both real and fantastical places, as if to blur the lines in between. Many of the characters reappear in each other's stories, while some stories stand alone. I did at times struggle to keep the characters apart but maybe it would have been different for me if I'd read the whole thing in a shorter amount of time.
amandadingman's review
4.0
While some of these stories didn't end the way I'd expected, like Real Bodies, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed so many of them. Usually, I only REALLY enjoy a few stories in a collection, but each of these was so different from the next that I never felt bored or that any of them fell flat.
I enjoyed the queer aspects of a lot of the stories, as well as how all of the characters felt very real, even when the circumstances in their stories were not. I connected to the characters of Suwannee the most, especially with Danny and Ashley.
Laura Chow Reeve does a great job of making you feel like you're watching a sliver of someone's life from 20 minutes to a few days with these stories, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And the cover is beautiful!!!
4 stars!! Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I enjoyed the queer aspects of a lot of the stories, as well as how all of the characters felt very real, even when the circumstances in their stories were not. I connected to the characters of Suwannee the most, especially with Danny and Ashley.
Laura Chow Reeve does a great job of making you feel like you're watching a sliver of someone's life from 20 minutes to a few days with these stories, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And the cover is beautiful!!!
4 stars!! Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
solunes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Queers are we up or what.. also after I read this I gave this to my lesbian friend who's originally from Florida and she said she loved it and was relatable
luchamucha's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
shealeib's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
0000grade_'s review against another edition
5.0
Admittedly, I am friends with the author, still I have some things to say.
In 2017, Kristen Arnett wrote and article called the “problem with writing about florida”. This came out around the time I moved out of Florida for grad school. Fragments of that leaving found in the chapter “migratory patterns”. When my homesickness for florida peaked I ran to that article to teleport home. Florida is americas punchline, and I am in love with Florida — in its wildness and inconsistency. It barely allows us to live there. That commands a certain reverence for it. A Small Apocalypse provides a similar balm. Broadly, the stories are freakish, trans, haunting and bold. But the details are so clear and familiar— I am locked into the minutia. One of my favorite stories from this collection is subtle, and meandering. “Suwannee” describes a birthday weekend, spikes of drama and tenderness. In the background these characters- a composite of many florida queers I am in love with- drove past confederate effigies, defunct tourist traps and one million threats to get to this moment, a sanctuary in each other. I have not experienced this outside of the south. The acknowledgement of our messiness the necessity and delight of our messy company. In this story, and others you can see Laura’s background in restorative justice work. Her sight is integrated and unwavering, “It wasn’t easy, holding so many feelings in your hands when the place they lives was already small and hostile. It was better to keep each other close, to try not to dispose of one another, even if doing so ravaged your lonely and sad heart.” (Pg. 56) There is a map in this book I will keep returning to hoping to reach the commitments -to hauntings, to friends and lovers, to florida- that Laura has carefully drawn out. Im so grateful for what she sees in Florida and I hope others will see it too.
In 2017, Kristen Arnett wrote and article called the “problem with writing about florida”. This came out around the time I moved out of Florida for grad school. Fragments of that leaving found in the chapter “migratory patterns”. When my homesickness for florida peaked I ran to that article to teleport home. Florida is americas punchline, and I am in love with Florida — in its wildness and inconsistency. It barely allows us to live there. That commands a certain reverence for it. A Small Apocalypse provides a similar balm. Broadly, the stories are freakish, trans, haunting and bold. But the details are so clear and familiar— I am locked into the minutia. One of my favorite stories from this collection is subtle, and meandering. “Suwannee” describes a birthday weekend, spikes of drama and tenderness. In the background these characters- a composite of many florida queers I am in love with- drove past confederate effigies, defunct tourist traps and one million threats to get to this moment, a sanctuary in each other. I have not experienced this outside of the south. The acknowledgement of our messiness the necessity and delight of our messy company. In this story, and others you can see Laura’s background in restorative justice work. Her sight is integrated and unwavering, “It wasn’t easy, holding so many feelings in your hands when the place they lives was already small and hostile. It was better to keep each other close, to try not to dispose of one another, even if doing so ravaged your lonely and sad heart.” (Pg. 56) There is a map in this book I will keep returning to hoping to reach the commitments -to hauntings, to friends and lovers, to florida- that Laura has carefully drawn out. Im so grateful for what she sees in Florida and I hope others will see it too.
casadeazucar's review against another edition
5.0
I have fallen in love. It may sound incredibly dramatic but this book has it all. Short stories intertwined by love, relationships, tradition, grief, magical realism, horror…
It was a ten course dinner and I savoured every bit. The bill came and it was a kiss on the forehead.
I will forever keep this book in my heart.
Háganse un favor y por favor lean esta belleza de prosa.
It was a ten course dinner and I savoured every bit. The bill came and it was a kiss on the forehead.
I will forever keep this book in my heart.
Háganse un favor y por favor lean esta belleza de prosa.