Author: Megan Mayhew Bergman
One-sentence summary: Short stories all highlight painful situations in unique characters lives while stringing together a theme of how we relate to nature, specifically animals.
B.A.D. Girls Book Rating: 6
Our favorite thing about it: The well crafted and sometimes beautiful writing.
Our least favorite thing about it: The cliff hanger endings on all of the stories and the depressing topics.
Main Topics of Discussion: Pain, Suffering, Relationships, Nature, Earth, Animals, Mother/Child, Human Commonalities
Our favorite quote: “People were sorry. And they’d keep being sorry and watching lives fall apart at close range.” (p. 73)
Notes: The first thing almost all of us said was that we loved reading something different...short stories. The second and third things we all said was that they were all depressing and had no endings. And it’s true, the stories focus on human pain and suffering as it manifests itself in different ways. And all of the stories left the reader hanging, which in itself is not always a bad thing. But since they all ended that way, we just left the book feeling a little unsatisfied.
Each story had very unique and sometimes extreme characters. Men who believed that we should not procreate so that we will die out and let nature rule supreme again. Young women who believed the earth would end in a year. Women with relationship issues whether they be with their mother, father, daughter, son, husband, partner, or unborn child.
The overarching theme shared by all the stories is that we, as humans, are irrevocably impacted by and attached to nature. Animals feature in all the stories to some degree. Some of the stories are about animals and how they relate to humans and vice versa.
Because the experiences in the stories are very realistic, there is a sense of poignancy to what the author has to say about those situations. She used words economically, creatively, and beautifully. Despite the fact that we have no idea where any of these characters’ stories ended, there is much to be said about the human condition and relationships in these stories. They were relatable even if some of the characters were not.
The sparks of humor were fun and the book is overall a fast read because the stories go so fast.
Memorable Meeting Moments: Stephanie got in from a day-long trip just in time for our meeting! Which was great since we celebrated her birthday at our meeting!
What We Ate: Cashew! Chicken with Jasmine Rice, Hawaiian Rolls, Fruit and Salad. Red Velvet Cake Balls and Ice Cream for dessert.
1 comment:
Thank you, guys, for taking a chance on short fiction (and me!) Much appreciated.
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