Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird: Stories
Ratings28
Average rating3.4
"From celebrated author Agustina Bazterrica, this collection of nineteen brutal, darkly funny short stories takes into our deepest fears and through our most disturbing fantasies. Through stories about violence, alienation, and dystopia, Bazterrica's vision of the human experience emerges in complex, unexpected ways--often unsettling, sometimes thrilling, and always profound. In "Roberto," a girl claims to have a rabbit between her legs. A woman's neighbor jumps to his death in "A Light, Swift, and Monstrous Sound," and in "Candy Pink," a woman fails to contend with a difficult breakup in five easy steps."--
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Wow wow wow, I am thoroughly impressed. Not only are these short stories frightening and engaging, Bazterrica's writing style sucks you in whether you want it to or not. I went into this having already read Tender is the Flesh, a book I enjoyed but felt was lacking in direction, and was expecting maybe the same quality, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much more I enjoyed this book. I feel like short stories are where Bazterrica really shines and is able to show us just how talented she really is. Each story was interesting, thought provoking, and some were genuinely “get under your skin” creepy, 4 stars!
There is something of an ethereal and atmospheric quality to most of the stories in this collection. Some of the stories I wanted more from, some I didn't really get and some were really outstanding. All of this to say that there is a pretty good variety of themes in there and at under 200 pages it's a pretty quick read.
That being said the tone remained pretty steady throughout the book and I could definitely tell it was the same authorial voice as the one behind Tender Is the Flesh. Bazterrica absolutely came through with her signature discomfort inducing style and ability to perceive the horror in the mundane and ordinary.
I received an eARC from Simon & Schuster Canada, Scribner though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
