This was so not what I was expecting. No One Belongs Here More Than You has got to be one of the worst books I’ve read in years. I can’t even recall the last time I was this appalled by a short story collection.
I started off my reading experience thinking this would follow the usual way of having no real structure to the stories but still including great quotes to ponder. And at first, that’s exactly what was being delivered to me with pieces of writing such as: “They seem easy to write, but that’s the illusion of all good advice.”
And this line from the story Majesty that’s all about dreams: “That day I carried the dream around like a full glass of water, moving gracefully so I would not lose any of it. ”
But then the story collection decides to take a turn for the worst by having stories written about incest (“I Kiss a Door”) and pedophilia (“The Boy from Lam Kien”) in such a tone as if they’re perfectly normal and acceptable everyday things.
“It is as if she came up from hell to make this one thing, a record, and then she went back. But who am I to say. Maybe it wasn’t hell. Maybe she really wanted to go back.”
I felt physically sick, so much so that I had to open up a window in the middle of the freezing night. And I still can’t shake off my disgust. Needless to say, I didn’t even bother to complete the rest of the stories because I don’t despise morality.
- I usually note at the end of my reviews that I’m an Amazon Affiliate, and if you’re interested in buying the book I reviewed you can go through my link so that I’ll make a small commission. But instead, I’ll now implore you to browse through literally any other book on Amazon because No One Belongs Here More Than You is not worth your time or money.
That.. doesn’t sound good. I never picked this up but I’ve heard mixed reviews about this. I think it’s important to talk about taboo subjects but in a way that it is clear from the text that these things are not okay, if that makes sense.
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Yes, but as I stated in my review, the author doesn’t take that approach in her writing, which is what threw me off so much.
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Yeah definitely understand your point there & I agree! 🙂
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That sounds horrible! You should treat yourself, seriously. I’ve seen this book around a little, but thank God I didn’t pick it up – and now I know I never will. Thank you for this review!
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Thank you! I’m definitely considering looking into some necessary pick-me-ups.
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I’m speechless. This sounds awful. I went and looked at more reviews on Goodreads and you are definitely not alone. Still, it seems like a hit or miss. Some people loved Miranda’s “vision” of the world. I’m a little baffled after reading you review as to why anyone would like that kind of world.
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I had the exact same reaction to those reviews!
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