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chairmanbernanke's review against another edition
3.0
Various stories of interpersonal difficulties. The last and titular is well placed.
neverminding's review against another edition
3.0
It almost started to feel like I was one of the characters suffering in Malamud's stories.
_bb's review against another edition
4.0
collection of short stories. most are on the somber or grim side, but also have a distinctly human aspect.
dara_m's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Through the stories, I catch a glimpse of Jewish (esp. in NYC) life in the mid-20th century post-Holocaust. More importantly, I get a sense of the attitudes and beliefs of the author regarding love, God, and fairness. Most, perhaps all, of the stories have a strong element of irony which, once addressed, allows love and understanding to finally form near the end, though often too late.
cameroncarriglio's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
demolitionluvrz's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
franklekens's review against another edition
5.0
Still (rereading this almost 20 years after I first read it) one of the best short story collections that I know, and with a character all its own. Terrific.
common1's review against another edition
5.0
Under a four-star rating on Goodreads? That's shameful. "The Magic Barrel" is one of the finest collections of American short stories of the twentieth century. Set in New York city, these stories are part magical realism, part Jewish folklore, part family saga, wonderfully comical at times but also a little sad, focusing on immigrants, their struggles and frustrations and triumphs. Each is a small miracle.
hazyasaugust's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes you have to hammer shoes' treads for love.
kriti2411's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0