Brooke’s Comments (group member since Oct 27, 2015)

Brooke’s comments from the A Brief Reading group.

I agree, Aurora, it was a terrific mix of the surreal and realistic.

The collection starts off so strong with Safe Passage which is high on my list of favorite stories - maybe ever. I don't think I'll be forgetting those ladies on that ship anytime soon. Then there was Poppyseed and Atria which were also stunning.

Chest of Drawers was so moving. It's easy to focus on the pregnant spouse or partner in a relationship. But we don't often really dive into the psyche of the non-pregnant partner who is dealing with his/her own reactions to an approaching baby. This story really was fascinating in that respect.

But, somewhat controversially, my favorite story was Welcome to Your Life and Congratulations. I've looked around and so many people hate this one. I think it's one of the most bizarre stories in the collection despite being completely grounded in realism (absurd realism, I suppose). This collection deals so much with the process of life - conception, gestation, birth, love, death - and I think this story really explores the cycle. And the life cycle is absurd. You have a couple clearly in love and having all the sex. They have a child who is the product of conception, gestation, birth, love, and sex. There's a cat who dies and so that process is explored. And then they all come together in the bed at the end - all points of life meeting at once and I loved it.

The story about the professors waiting for the speaker to arrive and refusing to leave was my least favorite. I think I just didn't see the point.

Tributaries was interesting and many people's favorite, but I was as enamored with it, sadly.

Overall, a really great collection with some near perfect stories if a bit uneven at times.

I finished this yesterday will post my longer collected thoughts this weekend. I liked it although it wasn't a favorite. I do have one story in particular that really stuck with me. I'll write more about that later. Not sure if anyone else is reading this or not. I do think Ausubel is a very solid, talented writer.

Meredith wrote: "I am a bit hesitant to pick this one up. I am not really sure if magical realism is my thing. If these stories are anything like the stories in Gutshot, then I don't think it's for me."

They are nothing like Gutshot, imo. The magical realism is often really, really subtle if there at all. Mostly just narratively straight forward stories about life, death, and birth. Totally different vibe.

I hope to really love this collection as well. The cover is gorgeous. Even more so in person, I think. Looking to start this one today!

Discussion gets going March 15!! My copy's in the mail.

It's a super quick read, Erica!! Enjoyable as well.

Oh, yay!!

Meredith wrote: "It's not sticking with me very much either."

Same. I really enjoyed reading and thinking about the scenarios when I was actually reading the collection, but a couple of weeks away now and I can only remember two stories with any clarity. The first one and the one where we die and star in other people's dreams.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts, Mercedes. I honestly think I might need to re-read this one as I've forgotten all but a couple of the stories. Perhaps I read it too fast or it's just not sticking with me for some reason.

Meredith, I did not force myself to slow down and ended up finishing it in essentially one sitting last night. Will think on it some more and leave my thoughts in a few days. Enjoy the reading experience! These little stories really do offer so much to think about.

Read the very first story (just two pages, lol) and it gave me such anxiety because that would be a terrible afterlife. I am glad that the book immediately presents itself as showing not heaven or hell - but just an afterlife in as general a sense as possible. Kind of like the idea of an afterlife without the complications of religion also attached which really pleases me. Not sure how the rest of the stories will go, obviously.

Starting tomorrow!

Hey everyone!

We start reading this little collection a week from today! I think it should be easier/cheaper for everyone to come by a copy and it sounds fascinating.

I really loved 'The Miracle Worker', 'Legends of the White Lady', and 'In the Country' so, so much. I think 'In the Country' was probably my absolute favorite. Because she took her time with it and I'm a complete sucker about any story that really gets at the heart of a marriage - for better or worse.

Like you said, Wina, so many of these stories reference real people and events. I don't know much about them personally so I'd love to do some further research and then re-read with more of an understanding of the country as a whole. I think that could be a really interesting re-reading experience and strengthen my love for the collection even more.

It's a book I hope transitions to the classroom and remains prominent going forward. It just has so much to offer readers and students and human beings, in general.

So what was your favorite story, Wina?? I hoping to finish by Sunday. Currently reading 'Old Girl' - I think that's the title.

Wina, did you finish?? I know the final story is more like a novella.

I hope others are reading this collection. It's so quiet in here and this is such a deserving book.

Meredith, I hope you continue to enjoy!

Wina, I'm so glad you loved this!! You're so right about tragedy and hilarity being mirrors for one another - and that's such a universal experience. I'm forcing myself to stop at one story a day. It's so, so, so hard though!!

Sometimes Alvar will write a sentence that I'm just not expecting and nearly bring me to my knees. She should write all of the things forever. <3

I agree completely! This collection is amazing. Already want to film my review and just throw this book at people.

Completely not allowed. You will be removed from the group if you violate this rule.

I'm two stories in and loving this. Mia Alvar is a terrific writer.