A review by booksanna
Gleanings by Neal Shusterman

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

As expected of Neal Shusterman, I was not disappointed when I read this book. Actually I was pleasantly surprised (since I don’t usually read short-stories, because of how I enjoyed the book). At first I thought my attachment to previous characters in the series would make me less excited about this book, but I was proven wrong. I really enjoyed these collections of stories. Some made my mind fill with constant buzz of questions. Others made shocked and in true awe. While others really made me ponder the meaning of life, death, mortality, art, respect, and right to be remembered. All of which the previous books also made me feel. I also loved how we learned a lot more of certain characters backstories
especially Scythe Goddard, his backstory made me gasp out loud. It was so cool to see the small event talked about in previous books talked about in depth in this one.
Each story was rich and filled with a meaningful messages to comment on aspects of humanity.
I especially liked the one about the town with Scythe deniers. So reflective of some people in the current world who refuse to believe something because it is a hoax, and have a closed-mind on an idea until it pertains to their life
The different human features of nature made me really question what it is to have control, and what it is to feel complete. I loved all these stories, and my  only complaint was that I wish Shusterman had written more. But alas, quality over quantity. I would rather get 10 exceptional stories, than 30 mediocre ones. 
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