jess_esa's reviews
512 reviews

(2.5) I absolutely loved Enríquez’s last short story collection The Dangers of Smoking in Bed but this didn’t hit as hard for me. I found myself rushing through a lot of the stories and only a couple of them gave me the chills in the way the last collection did. I’d certainly recommend reading this if you’re a fan of her work but just don’t go in comparing it with the last one.

This play truly is my existential nightmare. Whether you take it as a devastating portrait of aging, a disengaged marriage, or a tender meditation on our daily routines and things we distract and amuse ourselves with, it will get to you. The world is haunting, and you feel trapped in the sand with Winnie just reading/watching. I think there is something lost in just reading it rather than seeing it, but if you can only read it, do!

Mixed feelings about this one. It's beautifully written, profoundly devastating and erotic at times, but it loses track from the midpoint and doesn't get it back until the very last moments — the last portion of the book was so tender. It's the kind of book you can't help but read out amazing quotes from, but you also can't wait to finish it. 

A real strange one. I like how this could just as easily be staged as a sad comedy or an intense psychological drama.

Nine times out of ten these absurdist plays end up being about lesbians and I'm here for it.

Devastating. The novel doesn't quite have the impact of the play for me, but I can see why this story has inspired so many great writers and directors. Imagine not having Moulin Rouge or La Traviata! (less)