Status Updates From De nachtzijde van de rivier

A Fur Coat: Still reeling from this one... I find stories in which characters undergo transformations without them being able to stop, or even recognize it, so deeply unsettling.
Max's character is so well written. I didn't even realize how much of her characterization lied in the narration until I read 'Boots,' and the difference between her narration and Jonny's is so skillful. Winterson the woman you are...

The Spare Room: I loved this one so much, I thought the ending was very sweet and satisfied the emotions I was feeling throughout the story. It doesn't have the world-building or the complexities of some of the other stories, but I honestly prefer a simple ghost story about change and letting go. A haunted house motif will always get me going... Shirley Jackson the impact you had on me...

Ghost in the Machine: This story was much more thought-provoking and unique than the last two, but I'm still glad to be done with this part of the book. I think I gave this section a fair chance despite my distaste for this sub-category of horror, but I immediately started having way more fun once I got the the "Places" set of stories. GitM itself is alright, kind of a drag, but does pose some interesting questions..

Two short stories in, my main issue is the preachiness of the "Devices" section. Maybe it's because of my extremely different experience with technology as an 18 year old compared to Winterson, a middle-aged woman, but her critiques of social media feel very played out. Not to say there's no critiques to be made, I've gotten rid of almost all social medias I've ever had. I hope this issue goes away in the next part.

The Old House at Home: This story would be so much better if the VR part was left out completely in favor of the MC reaching the in-between state through an analog séance. It added nothing besides cheapening the messaging about isolation. Other than that I enjoyed it. It was a bit of a headache to understand, but that was definitely intentional in an effort to emulate the MC's perspective. Very Henry James in a way.

App-arition: Bad start to the collection. The writing is good, if a bit plain, but the messaging is very played out. When writing a dystopian commentary tech-focused ghost story in a post-Black Mirror world one must be sure they're saying something at least a little original. I've honestly never even watched Black Mirror and yet I feel like I've heard this story five times before.

Night Side of the River - 3,5+
Fun, spooky

JW4 - good way to end the collection, although I'm still not convinced by the digital hauntings

Thin Air - 3,75-, classic but well executed! Love me a winter ghost
Fountain With Lions - 3,75+, same but better

The Undiscovered Country - 4,5
Lovely interconnected short stories

Canterville and Cock - 4-
Fun! Would make a good cheesy movie!

JW3 - repetitive if you've read other books by her