I Hate Plot

by Snakes, Rachel Davies

A collection of strange and wonderful, tender, personal and funny short stories set at a famous hippy commune on the edge of the Pacific. Full of images which hold in the memory. A spectacularly original and compelling new voice.

Genres: Short Stories

49 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Snakes ran away from her film making life in New Zealand a few years back looking for something she couldn't find the words for. She is still finding it. She currently lives in a tropical paradise with her boyfriend Jimmy James.

Reviews

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. It's a book that tempts me to write a cliched review about rare honesty and humor, but REALLY MEAN IT. It's a collection of very personal stories written by a woman glowing with her own insanity and strength, and I loved reading it.

[Tracy Towley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, you read that right - the author of I Hate Plot does indeed go by the singular name Snakes. I read this during my free month of Kindle Unlimited and it was one of the delightful finds that I can't imagine I would have other stumbled across.

The title caught my eye immediately because I'm generally a character-driven reader and am not particularly interested in plot. There are exceptions of course, like that time I burnt my toast when reading The Hunger Games or most anything by Stephen King, but for the most part I'll take exceptional writing over a fast-paced plot.

Title aside, there wasn't much about plot in this collection of short stories but there were a series of increasingly personal stories / anecdotes / etc. This is a powerful work that required me to muffle my face to keep my face from making sounds that would wake up Sam - sometimes laughter, sometimes anguish.

It's a short book and unfortunately the author doesn't appear to have written anything else except some book about how not eating certain things will make us all live forever. It appears to have been written in earnest and it's a viewpoint I don't agree with so I won't link to it, though savvy readers could certainly find it without trouble.

[Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very personal stories, written in a very personal voice. They didn't connect with me, but they grew on me.

[Jimmyjames35 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at Esalen, in Big Sur CA, where Snakes wrote it. It was fantastic, and I couldn't put it down. Since then I have read it five times, and shared it with a number of friends. The stories are so wonderfully written, and deep, and funny; often I laughed out loud or cried. (Embarrassing) But just wanted to share this fact with others who might consider this book. I can't wait to hear more from this author. Thanks Snakes!

[Laia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a ripe sweet peach in a hot thirsty day. That’s how Snake’s stories hit me. Sensuous. To the point. Poetic, juicy, quenching. And every time I read one or listen to one, it lingers with me for days. I notice different parts about it as the days go by. They are full of real love, hate, hilariousness, weirdness. There’s not a speck of pretense in any of them, which, to me, is the most refreshing quality I can find in a writer. A must-read.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3 stars because it is not my favorite writing style. It is mostly stream of conscious and I find that makes it hard for me to focus. You may get more out of this short story compilation if you like that sort of style.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a fine filmmaker, such a thoughtful book. And it made me think.