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Book Reviews of Vampires in the Lemon Grove and Other Stories

Vampires in the Lemon Grove and Other Stories
Vampires in the Lemon Grove and Other Stories
Author: Karen Russell
ISBN-13: 9780307947475
ISBN-10: 0307947475
Publication Date: 10/8/2013
Pages: 256
Rating:
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 4

3.3 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Leigh avatar reviewed Vampires in the Lemon Grove and Other Stories on + 378 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
These stories each could be described as "premises;" Russell created amazingly inventive, fresh ideas that I'd never thought of before but everything ended there. It's almost as if she flipped through her notebook of book ideas and fleshed them out a little - just enough that a proper ending need not be fitted on.

One story that stood out in my mind was "Reeling for the Empire," which simply fascinated me with its unbelievable story of women spooling thread from their bellies. I think that story did actually have a good ending -- although I would have liked to have read it! Women, indeed, have more power than they realize. This was my favorite of the collection.

The other story that stood out to me was "The Seagull Army Descends on Strong Beach," which was a tale of seagulls stealing items from the future, unknowingly(?) altering destinies. Oh, the possibilities.

Ray Bradbury is undoubtedly an influence to Russell; there was entirely too much of his type of creativity flowing in and around these stories to say otherwise. This book is worth the read simply for a glimpse into the author's imagination.

Each story had its own meritsI only wish Russell had followed through with a real ending for each.