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How to Be a Man[HT BE A MAN][Paperback]
How to Be a Man <> Paperback <> TamaraLinse <> WillowWords
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First published December 31, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 1, 2015
"How to Be a Man" is a collection of fourteen short stories by Tamara Linse. The titular story, "How to be a Man", is an unusual tale told in the second person. It has a satisfying ending and sets the tone for the rest of the stories, which all pertain to standing up for oneself or "being a man".
"Men are Like Plants" is an extended simile likening flowers to different types of men. "Mouse" is a touching tale of a young country girl who undergoes a rite of passage. "Oranges" is heart-breaking in its simplicity. In "Nose to the Fence", a country girl's world suddenly opens up; it is a story of hope. In "Control Erosion" it's hard to tell who's the man in this marriage; I loved the comparison of relationships to scientific laws and theories. "In the Headlights" and "The Body Animal" both use clever analogies. In "Revelations", three friends take things a bit too far; I loved the way the author wrote the ending. In "Wanting", a woman on a jury holds her ground against the other jurors in order to avenge a previous injustice; this was one of my favorites. The collection ends with a handy "Reading Group Guide" and a "Letter to the Reader" which provides some background to the stories.
This is a mixed bag of stories told from the points-of-view of children, young girls, young men, young women, and older men and women. The author is comfortable writing as all of these characters. These stories are not short stories in the traditional sense, but are snapshots of life. Some are stronger than others, but they are all moving and heart-felt, and you can tell the author has lived on and loved the land.
An impressive debut. This author is a talent to watch.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
"Men are Like Plants" is an extended simile likening flowers to different types of men. "Mouse" is a touching tale of a young country girl who undergoes a rite of passage. "Oranges" is heart-breaking in its simplicity. In "Nose to the Fence", a country girl's world suddenly opens up; it is a story of hope. In "Control Erosion" it's hard to tell who's the man in this marriage; I loved the comparison of relationships to scientific laws and theories. "In the Headlights" and "The Body Animal" both use clever analogies. In "Revelations", three friends take things a bit too far; I loved the way the author wrote the ending. In "Wanting", a woman on a jury holds her ground against the other jurors in order to avenge a previous injustice; this was one of my favorites. The collection ends with a handy "Reading Group Guide" and a "Letter to the Reader" which provides some background to the stories.
This is a mixed bag of stories told from the points-of-view of children, young girls, young men, young women, and older men and women. The author is comfortable writing as all of these characters. These stories are not short stories in the traditional sense, but are snapshots of life. Some are stronger than others, but they are all moving and heart-felt, and you can tell the author has lived on and loved the land.
An impressive debut. This author is a talent to watch.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
December 8, 2014
In the interest of full honesty, I want to make it clear right away that I consider this author to be a friend. That said, I will attempt to be very fair in this review.
The short version: I love it. If you are a fan of short stories at all, pick it up.
The longer version: Most writers that have put together a collection of short stories would tell you to lead with your strongest piece, to dangle the hook of your best writing. Linse absolutely nails that rule, opening her collection with the titular second person story. Second person isn't the easiest to master, but when you get the tone right, it can be very powerful. With this opening story, she proves that she understands second person, that she is able to absolutely master it. It's a powerful, sharp little tale that stays with you well after you've finished reading it. It is definitely my favorite piece of the collection (With "In the Headlights" coming in a close second.)
The rest of the collection slides through different voices and tones nearly effortlessly and continually has some interesting things to say about what it means to be a human, not just a man or woman. Gender politics and socializing remain top dog throughout the stories, yet never overwhelm the simple reality of these characters.
It is a dark collection, though it is not without its own satisfying moments of humor and light.
I said that I would try to be fair and so I feel that I should point out a couple of things that I was not as big a fan of. They are few and minor (and things I might not have otherwise mentioned). I feel that all of the stories deserve their place in this collection (though the tone and era of the final story feel slightly out of place among its contemporary brethren, its quality certainly fits...) apart from one. For me, Men Are Like Plants was the one misstep of the collection. It felt more like an extended metaphor than a character-based short story - the dialogue didn't ring true to me and pulled me out of the narrative. As it is the second story in the collection, I wonder if it disappointed me primarily because it directly followed the title story - a story that is very difficult to live up to... My only other small gripe is that there were a few spelling/grammar errors (the kind that would slip past spellcheckers - breathe/breath, etc.) that slipped past final edits. It isn't a big deal at all, but those that know me know it is a pet peeve of mine in published books. (Knowing my luck, if I ever do achieve a published tome of my own, it will be littered with them...)
And that - those very small two things - is all that I can say negative about the collection. If you like short stories, particularly stories interested in gender and the American West in the vein of authors like Melissa Bank and Pam Houston, this collection is so very worth a purchase.
Friend of the author or not, I would be recommending this collection. It's just simply a great collection.
The short version: I love it. If you are a fan of short stories at all, pick it up.
The longer version: Most writers that have put together a collection of short stories would tell you to lead with your strongest piece, to dangle the hook of your best writing. Linse absolutely nails that rule, opening her collection with the titular second person story. Second person isn't the easiest to master, but when you get the tone right, it can be very powerful. With this opening story, she proves that she understands second person, that she is able to absolutely master it. It's a powerful, sharp little tale that stays with you well after you've finished reading it. It is definitely my favorite piece of the collection (With "In the Headlights" coming in a close second.)
The rest of the collection slides through different voices and tones nearly effortlessly and continually has some interesting things to say about what it means to be a human, not just a man or woman. Gender politics and socializing remain top dog throughout the stories, yet never overwhelm the simple reality of these characters.
It is a dark collection, though it is not without its own satisfying moments of humor and light.
I said that I would try to be fair and so I feel that I should point out a couple of things that I was not as big a fan of. They are few and minor (and things I might not have otherwise mentioned). I feel that all of the stories deserve their place in this collection (though the tone and era of the final story feel slightly out of place among its contemporary brethren, its quality certainly fits...) apart from one. For me, Men Are Like Plants was the one misstep of the collection. It felt more like an extended metaphor than a character-based short story - the dialogue didn't ring true to me and pulled me out of the narrative. As it is the second story in the collection, I wonder if it disappointed me primarily because it directly followed the title story - a story that is very difficult to live up to... My only other small gripe is that there were a few spelling/grammar errors (the kind that would slip past spellcheckers - breathe/breath, etc.) that slipped past final edits. It isn't a big deal at all, but those that know me know it is a pet peeve of mine in published books. (Knowing my luck, if I ever do achieve a published tome of my own, it will be littered with them...)
And that - those very small two things - is all that I can say negative about the collection. If you like short stories, particularly stories interested in gender and the American West in the vein of authors like Melissa Bank and Pam Houston, this collection is so very worth a purchase.
Friend of the author or not, I would be recommending this collection. It's just simply a great collection.
July 24, 2016
It's hard to be a man. To be responsible, and own up to your mistakes. It's harder still living by the seat of your pants each and every day. Seeing the day spread out before you, knowing you've no choice but to do what you have to do. To stick by your guns, and live a life you're not sure you want to live.
Themes such as the above run rampant in this short story collection written by Tamara Linse. We get to see each and every character speak their minds, and show us what's in their hearts. We see them struggle with their circumstances, while others make difficult choices that change their very outcome. Some give us an insight to what makes them tick, and we're given glimpses of their vulnerabilities.
The life the author gives to each of these characters is certainly endearing. Each story stands on its own, giving us a vivid image of what each character is going through. From a difficult decision to take a tiny insignificant life to the broiling atmosphere of a courtroom, each story expands to give us a little taste of Tamara's unique sense of storytelling.
While it may look like the stories are randomly thrown together, they're not. They center around the theme of how to assert yourself in any situation. To make decisions based on what moves you and what's in your heart. Some might consider the title to touch on the subject of how to actually be a man. To live life through a man's eyes, but it's far from that. The title itself is used in a metaphorical sense.
Keeping this in mind allows the reader to immerse him or herself in each individual story. Tamara adds enough intrigue to each tale that leaves you wanting to know more about each character by the time you get to the story's end. A bittersweet and thought-provoking collection, How To Be A Man is worthy of reading. The author is definitely one to keep an eye on!
Themes such as the above run rampant in this short story collection written by Tamara Linse. We get to see each and every character speak their minds, and show us what's in their hearts. We see them struggle with their circumstances, while others make difficult choices that change their very outcome. Some give us an insight to what makes them tick, and we're given glimpses of their vulnerabilities.
The life the author gives to each of these characters is certainly endearing. Each story stands on its own, giving us a vivid image of what each character is going through. From a difficult decision to take a tiny insignificant life to the broiling atmosphere of a courtroom, each story expands to give us a little taste of Tamara's unique sense of storytelling.
While it may look like the stories are randomly thrown together, they're not. They center around the theme of how to assert yourself in any situation. To make decisions based on what moves you and what's in your heart. Some might consider the title to touch on the subject of how to actually be a man. To live life through a man's eyes, but it's far from that. The title itself is used in a metaphorical sense.
Keeping this in mind allows the reader to immerse him or herself in each individual story. Tamara adds enough intrigue to each tale that leaves you wanting to know more about each character by the time you get to the story's end. A bittersweet and thought-provoking collection, How To Be A Man is worthy of reading. The author is definitely one to keep an eye on!
October 23, 2015
I listened to the audio version of this book. I do love story collections, but they often take me a long time to finish because I read them a story at a time, between longer works. I have come to realize that audiobook versions of stories aren't my thing, though I want to say right away that I think the narrator, P.J. Morgan, is wonderful and I plan to listen to Tamara's novel as an audiobook.
Tamara is a wonderful writer and she manages capture the Wyoming landscape and to inhabit a wide variety of characters. The title story is my favorite and I think it's the strongest story in the collection. It's tricky to tell a story in second person, and this one doesn't at all feel gimmicky. Instead, you're inside Birdy Gunderson, feeling everything she feels. "Then it will be as if some one grabs the center of his face and twists. The look will be so awful your body will wander to a stop and you'll stand, unbelieving, still caught in the adrenaline of the moment before." I don't know if it's possible for those lines not to break your heart.
While I didn't love every story, particularly "Men are Like Plants," that's to be expected in a story collection. And I downright loved several of these, particularly "How to Be a Man," "In the Headlights," "Orange," and "Control Erosion." I've already recommended the book to several people and will continue to do so. It's great.
Disclaimers: I know the author and I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for a fair review.
Tamara is a wonderful writer and she manages capture the Wyoming landscape and to inhabit a wide variety of characters. The title story is my favorite and I think it's the strongest story in the collection. It's tricky to tell a story in second person, and this one doesn't at all feel gimmicky. Instead, you're inside Birdy Gunderson, feeling everything she feels. "Then it will be as if some one grabs the center of his face and twists. The look will be so awful your body will wander to a stop and you'll stand, unbelieving, still caught in the adrenaline of the moment before." I don't know if it's possible for those lines not to break your heart.
While I didn't love every story, particularly "Men are Like Plants," that's to be expected in a story collection. And I downright loved several of these, particularly "How to Be a Man," "In the Headlights," "Orange," and "Control Erosion." I've already recommended the book to several people and will continue to do so. It's great.
Disclaimers: I know the author and I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for a fair review.
February 26, 2014
Linse offers up a strange and beguiling cast of characters in this deep-hearted collection, with stories set against a stark Wyoming landscape the author knows inside and out. I enjoyed reading these one at a time, really savoring each piece. From "The Body Animal" to "Control Erosion" to "Mouse," they continued to surprise, challenge, and illumine in turn. I'll be thinking about Tamsen, Killer, Livie, Ruth, and others for a while yet.
February 21, 2014
A Roller Coaster ride of Emotions!!,
A wonderful collection of short stories.
Fantastic. Awesome!!!
She has the power to draw out your emotions. Fear, disappointment, anxiety. Among others.
Everyone in life has these. She has a way to bring them out in you.
Title can be misleading, but don't let it fool you. You get perspective of both men and women.
Recommended. Looking forward to more work by this great author.
Enjoy<3 Kimberly
A wonderful collection of short stories.
Fantastic. Awesome!!!
She has the power to draw out your emotions. Fear, disappointment, anxiety. Among others.
Everyone in life has these. She has a way to bring them out in you.
Title can be misleading, but don't let it fool you. You get perspective of both men and women.
Recommended. Looking forward to more work by this great author.
Enjoy<3 Kimberly
April 2, 2014
How to be a man is a book with a whole bunch of short stories in it. About manly situations and such. I really enjoyed the short stories, and liked how it flowed along nicely. I would def reccomend others read it as well.
April 4, 2014
I happily recommend Tamara Linse's book of short stories, How to Be a Man. The gritty west, both old and new, pulses through the stories. Her characters are diverse and richly drawn. And who can resist a title like this?
September 8, 2015
A rich collection by a talented young writer: authentic, brimming with honesty, this is the work of an author who has the moxie to navigate a masculine landscape with authority. We are in the presence of something akin to the Wyoming landscape, at once humbling and enlivening.
January 25, 2014
Fabulous. Fabulous. Every story got better than the last. Can't wait for Ms.Linse's next effort.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews