Isabell’s Reviews > Fresh Complaint: Stories > Status Update

Great Experiment: 3 stars. Another terrible man doing terrible things. At least this time I felt something though. I feel like most people, can relate to wanting to get ahead and feeling like there is always something holding you back. I think the eventual actions taken in this story, and the assumed outcome, could be taken by many.

Capricious Gardens: 3 stars. Meh...whatever. The main character sucked but so have all of Eugenides characters. I think in this case, he was doing less shitty things so I guess that's good.

Also important to note that this story was written in 1999. I wonder how the themes and what happens would be looked upon today by modern readers.

The Oracular Vulva: 4 Stars. Honestly, the most interesting short story of this entire collection so far in my opinion. Discussions of sexuality and gender and what is right or wrong when it comes to these topics. Would love to have a book club discussion about this one.

Find The Bad Guy: Well…I found the bad guy. When your kids are tackling you to the floor I think it’s a pretty good sign thag YOU are the bad guy.

Timeshare: Another depressing story, this time about the American dream.

Early Music: Poverty and depression as a story. How fun!

Baster: If you can read this as a woman and not end up feeling some type of way…

Air Mail: Meh. I don’t want to spend extensive time reading about white men “discovering” the world for the first time in their life. ESPECIALLY, not during their quarter life crisis. I’m glad this one was short.

Complainers: If you were scared about getting old…don’t read this one. If you weren’t scared about getting old…you will be. Raise your kids right or else things get ROUGH.