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A review by nigel_hakeem
CivilWarLand in Bad Decline by George Saunders
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
What a great collection! Saunders has a style I can't quite articulate. It's both high and low art. He's a writer's writer that writes for everyone. Stories often deal with working-class drudgery and life being weird and hard. Rarely does Saunders choose to lift the reader's spirit and instead chooses to just tell a good story.
Two stories, in particular, stood out for me. First was Isabelle, which had one of the most tender endings I've ever read. The second was The 400-Pound CEO, which gave into the fantasy every employee with a shitty boss has.
The Novella Bounty at the end was the best in the collection. A not-so-subtle analogy for slavery and the broken morals of America. It had twists and turns, and I was cheering on the main character the entire time. If you read any Saunders, I think this is the story to read.
If you aren't much of a reader, I'd highly recommend picking up this collection. If you're an avid reader, I'd also recommend it for something different and interesting.
Two stories, in particular, stood out for me. First was Isabelle, which had one of the most tender endings I've ever read. The second was The 400-Pound CEO, which gave into the fantasy every employee with a shitty boss has.
The Novella Bounty at the end was the best in the collection. A not-so-subtle analogy for slavery and the broken morals of America. It had twists and turns, and I was cheering on the main character the entire time. If you read any Saunders, I think this is the story to read.
If you aren't much of a reader, I'd highly recommend picking up this collection. If you're an avid reader, I'd also recommend it for something different and interesting.