Tiger, Tiger

by Johanna Skibsrud

Shortlisted for the 2019 Alistair MacLeod Prize for Short Fiction

A collection of intrepid and incisive stories from the Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author of The Sentimentalists

Tiger, Tiger takes readers from the Paradise Valley Senior Centre parking lot all the way to Mars and examines the contradictions of life along the way. An astounding array of characters come up against the challenges of existence--both mundane and extraordinary--and their experiences never fail to surprise and delight.
     A scientist finds the truth about love in a lab where he is learning to grow extinct tigers. A fake wedding at a nursing home brings a divorcée to the brink of despair while her grandmother marvels at the beauty around her. A small-town taxidermist realizes his fiancée is never returning--that he has lost her to an inscrutable ball of light. A soldier survives the bloody Battle of the Argonne Forest but loses the faith of his child. An uncanny teenager holds two hundred thousand years of the world's history in her mind but feels desperately alone.
     Profound and paradoxical, these fourteen stories bring us closer to the truth, even if we discover that it is ultimately unknowable. Masterfully crafted and astonishingly wise, Tiger, Tiger explores the limits of understanding, the future of humanity, and establishes Skibsrud as a rare and exceptional talent.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2018

About the author

Johanna Skibsrud is a Canadian writer whose debut novel The Sentimentalists, winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize. She is also the author of This Will Be Difficult to Explain, as well as two poetry collections. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won't lie, this book was hard to read. I was super excited to read another anthology/short story book, but this one let me down!!

Each story was unique in it's idea - I thought each would have made a great novel all on their own, with the little short story being a "pilot run" for the idea. But when you read these little short stories on their own, it seems like endless rambling and pointless stories. I really wish Johanna would have expanded on each story and fully fleshed them out, because they were unique and impressive on their own.

With such incredible concepts, it's really sad to see the wasted potential. I do think this book is worth the read, because you can see the obvious talent Johanna Skibsrud.

Overall, it's a beautifully written set of short stories but comes up short for me.

Two out of five stars.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Brooke — brooklynnnnereads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an...odd read for me. The term, "odd" being somewhat of an understatement because this was a very unique compilation of short stories written by the author.

I was interested in reading this book knowing that it was a collection of short stories; however, I didn't realize how abstract the stories would be. These stories were...different? I don't really know another way to describe them because along with being "different" in concept they were vastly "different" from each other as well. We went from a story involving the recreation of extinct tigers to a girl that holds information from the past two hundred years in her head. Seriously, I had difficulty finding the connection between all of these stories aside from the overall theme of 'life'.

The writing is extremely well done and there were some stories in here that caught my attention more than others ("Key Lime, 1994", "Weatherman", "A Horse, A Vine", and "The Novelist"). I think this collection will be a hit with those that have an eye towards this specific genre (whatever that may be). Part of me considers it 'literary fiction' but I think there's more to it than that. Nonetheless, whether you like the style of these stories or not, all of these short stories are quite unique and display the talent of Johanna's writing.

***I received this ARC from a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to Goodreads and the publisher for hosting this giveaway***

[Samantha Clysdale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed some of the short stories . I will be buying my own copy.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

When I first started this book, I was transported back to high school and university. Not necessarily a good thing :) I never liked having to dissect a short story for an essay!

I quickly got over that feeling and enjoyed these stories. They were quite interesting and well-written.

[Raye of the Dead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book from Goodreads.

I read this in a day because I was pulled in to the first story. Right from the beginning Tiger, Tiger hooked me and didn’t let go. Even though the rest of the stories weren’t as good as the first one, none of them disappointed me. I enjoyed ever single one.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Melissa Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won an advanced copy of this book on Goodreads.
I don't usually like anthologies, but I was highly impressed with this book. While the topics change for each story, and it might be best to read just one story at a time, the book still remains coherent.

Each story leaves you thinking, wondering what you would do in each situation (even if there's no way possible you'd ever be in that situation), and makes your moral compass spin.

Definitely worth checking out from your local library!

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I overall enjoyed this book of short stories, but the shortness of the short stories did get to me after a fashion. I kept expecting to see some of the characters again, and have things tied together. Aside from a general theme of connectedness, this did not happen. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had been reading the short stories separately in a magazine or some such way.
I loved her writing style and very quickly fell in love with the worlds she was creating, I just would have loved it more if I got more story. But I also really love to read very long books in a very long series so I don't have to let go of the characters for a long time.
I would recommend this book for those who really enjoy short stories.

[Jessica Gadd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a pretty interesting read. I liked switching it up and reading short stories instead of a novel. Most of the stories were very good. I enjoyed it :)

[Angela Kelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I rarely read short story collections (in fact, maybe not since I had to for a university class?!), this is one of the smartest things I've read in a while. Some stories I really liked - The Opening, The Rememberer and, for some reason, Weatherman - and some I didn't but they all were thought-provoking and focused on profound ideas. A book for you Lyn!!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Tiger, Tiger” which I won through Goodreads Giveaways is an intriguing collection of short stories that begin with a scientist discovering the essence of love while in his lab holding the genetic material of an extinct Siberian Tiger he wants to bring back to life. Wrapped in mystery or the unusual like the “Weatherman” who dissatisfied and stressed by the predictability of life seeks counselling only to find a darker remedy for his anxiety; the loss of faith of a child when her father doesn't practice what he advocates; or the momentous, unknown ball of light that changes the future of a taxidermist and his fiancée in “Origin of Species”, the stories explore human emotion and reaction when faced with contradictions in their lives.

Well-written with innovative themes, the stories in “Tiger, Tiger” are entertaining and challenge our intuitive perceptions.

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a goodreads win. This is a book of short stories. Some of the stories were fantastic, and some didn't catch my attention, but I think that is normal in all short story collections. Most were fairly well written and I think this book wasn't mind blowing, but was good to pass the time with.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

"I am afraid . . . that this long story is not at all to the point."

This is an apt quote from the last page of Johanna Skibsrud' shorts, Tiger, Tiger, and describes my feeling at the end of the collection. It is a cluttered compendium of tales that is characterized by a (I'm sorry for the generalization here) trademark Gen Xer inability to think big when it comes to technology or science fiction. A couple of Skibsrud's stories hint at this: The Opening, The Last Frontier, The Rememberer. They are just so vague in their detail of the magic of the future... it's like she isn't committing to dreaming big enough (as I think Baby Boomer writers do when writing about these topics) or she isn't being realistic/detailed enough (as I think Millennial writers do).

And the sad thing is that the aforementioned futuristic stories are the ones with the most promise. The rest are forgettable, sparse in any sort of emotional heft, and often TOO quick to leave a weight in your chest. I also don't get the Rorschach imagery aside from one literal psychiatry scene in one story. I mean, I can read into it on a metaphorical level, but it just seems like a spark that might have inspired the author and also happens to make for a cool cover. I've not read any other pieces of the author's work, and Tiger, Tiger certainly doesn't make me want to.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't often read a book comprised of short stories, but now I know why. This author has a wonderful way with words, and her story lines were quite unique and very interesting. The only problem is that I didn't want the stories to end...they should have been put into a novel instead. Now I am left feeling as to what was the point of me reading this book when every story ended unsatisfactorily, with no conclusion. After reading a few of the stories, I felt like a carrot was being dangled in front of me that was impossible to reach. I felt ripped off!

This very talented author should stick to writing novels; either that or she should write short stories that have a complete ending.

Thank you to Random House Canada and the Goodreads program for providing me with a complementary copy of this book.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The soldier's story came out very easily and naturally, his thoughts fast and literal in A Horse, A Vine.
The Weatherman too, comes off in the same manner. His sort of stream of consciousness dialogue takes us through his suicidal thoughts over the mundaneness that is is career, and life.
What happens when people aren't interested in your reality show anymore, and how a "super human" suffers are some other interesting themes.
My full review is on: http://booksandbrands.blogspot.com/20...

[Prcs Rambharose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Give away from Goodreads.......... This book contains 14 short stories of varying lengths. None of which really made much of an impact on me !! And I can't think of one particular story that stands out In my mind although the stories were very different from each other . However the cover was eye catching like a mirror painting which Is bright orange.Good Quality paper nice print , the words really stood out well on the bright white pages .

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book of short stories - each story had a unique idea, and is not just a garden-variety short story. I especially liked "Origin of the Species". Nice writing style, in the sense that it's accessible but not overly-simple. The characters were generally interesting, different, and fully developed - they read like real people, even in crazy situations. I liked the short story format, too - nice to be able to read one each night before bed. An enjoyable read!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each one of these tales felt like it was something that could happen. If you enjoy short stories and BBC/Netflix’s show “Black Mirror”. These are for you. Though BM tends to focus on the future, Skibsrud writes a nostalgic past blended with topics of today (extinction of animals, trips to mars, aliens). Very interesting read and I loved the Rorschach designs at the beginning of every story.



I did receive this through a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Brigan.dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.

Like every collection of short stories, there are some you'll love and some you won't. Overall, it wasn't bad but it wasn't groundbreaking either. I think the ideas for all the stories were quite interesting. The characters were definitely the best part for all of the stories.

Easily enjoyable for most people

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free ARC through Goodreads.
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I find that I am generally not a fan of short stories as I find them to be very open ended and incomplete just when it is getting close to an interesting part of the story.

Some of the stories are interesting, some are so so. Mix of stories that may appeal to some people but not all.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most short story collections, I enjoyed some of these stories and others not so much, but all in all a nice collection. I won an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher as part of the Goodreads Giveaways program.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads Win Copy

It is a collection of short stories that will keep you on your toes. What you think it is about is not necessary what you think. Pursuing thoughts you might not think about.

An interesting read that keeps you thinking.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as Goodreads giveaway. I didn't like all of the short stories, but some were very good. I found that some of the stories did not have an ending, or I didn't understand the ending. They left me wanting more.

[Kassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains some ambitious experiments, not all of which work. The author is a strong practitioner of the prevalent literary mode of epiphany-stories, whereas her ventures into the science-fictional fall short of that field's more consistent and accomplished contemporaries.

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book on goodreads in exchange for an honest review. Nice collection of short stories by a Canadian Author. If you like short stories you will enjoy this book.

[Melissa McGuire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of these short stories were really good. Some I was confused reading them. Overall i was quite bored reading this collection of short stories

[Roxie Gallinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about short stories. I really enjoyed every page of this book. A goodreads win and very thankful to have won it and read it

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this book free from Goodreads. I loved this book, love short stories , easy to read and easy to follow

[Collette Quinn-hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[Lisa Gimblett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique short stories that contain dark undertones. Some of the stories capture your interest only to end abruptly...