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cyaneve7's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
krisperez8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Haslett has a way with words and an ability to give life to troubled minds - showing readers that there is often more than what meets the eye. ‘You Are Not A Stranger Here’ is truly a deep dive into how all of us, no matter how far apart, can be connected in so many different ways. I fell in love with Haslett’s writing in the haunting ‘Imagine Me Gone’ and these early works only solidified my belief that he truly knows how to capture intense feelings and emotion surrounding the human condition and mental health/illness.
trin's review against another edition
3.0
A beautiful and thought-provoking but very difficult read. Haslett’s short stories share themes of mental illness, suicide, alienation and grief—boy, do I make this book sound fun! But these stories are striking, and Haslett’s prose is beautiful. “The Beginnings of Grief,” about the violent relationship an orphaned boy tumbles into with a brutal classmate, was especially compelling to me, as was the story about a grown up brother and sister living together, haunted by the memory of their mother’s suicide and the man they both loved. Plus, “Notes to My Biographer” has one of the most startling and effective descriptions of schizophrenia that I’ve ever encountered. These stories are stark and incredible, but not recommended reading if you’re feeling the least bit emotionally vulnerable!
stjernesvarme's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
harukanoishiki's review against another edition
5.0
A magnificent read. A egg bagel, almost plain but far from it
itshannahlevy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
derekmoodyrutledge's review against another edition
4.0
The first three stories were a gut punch. Just astonishing and heartbreaking. The rest were good, but didn't quite live up to the beginning. Until the last story, which I read while delusional tiredness, but still rocked me. Read this. Best short story debut since Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies.