The Read Around The World Book Club discussion

Final thoughts

Liked this collection a lot, apart that some of the endings are not only open (something I have usually no problems with), but end just very abruptly. That ruined the good story telling a bit for me, because it looks just inelegant.

I'm not much of a story-story reader so I wasn't sure I would get on with this book. But I loved the atmosphere and sense of place so much. Agree that the endings were abrupt.

I have to agree with everyone else. I love the settings and how rich and real they feel but most of the stories end when they feel like they are beginning in a very abrupt way. This made it a just OK read.

I agree with all of you: it was OK and I'm not a short-reader. But well written.

I enjoyed most of these stories. Thought the writing edgy and the settings different and interesting. I love short stories but many of these felt as if they were chapter 1 of a longer piece. The first story was my favourite and it did seem fully formed and complete.

I’ve just finished this (late to the party! Had to wait for a library reservation to come in). I thought it was really good; a very solid collection with no obvious weak links, which is unusual for books of short stories. They all felt very complete. It was quite impressive to see how much sociopolitical commentary she can pack into a short horror story. My only criticism would be that they felt perhaps a bit samey, in mood if not in content. Most of the stories left me feeling the exact same vague sense of unease and impending doom. This made it feel cohesive as a collection, but I’m not sure how much the individual stories will stick in my memory afterwards.

Totally agree with you, Marie. But I'm quite sure the first story and the one with the spooky house might stick with me.