2 Out of 4 Star Review. Ouch.

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?p=1944357#p1944357

Review of Every Awful Thing

Posted: 04 Jun 2022, 19:05

by Dustin Stopher

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Every Awful Thing" by Sophia Bourne.]
2 out of 4 stars
”Sophia Bourne recounts memories from her life in Every Awful Thing.

Every Awful Thing is a collection of flash fiction and poetry that the author has written over the course of her life, and as such, it acts like a time capsule that captures individual moments from her own history. Bourne is able to find meaningful life stories in the mundane, and the stories contained in the collection are varied in what types of encounters and themes are included. While each selection is short, it feels like the impact that the text as a whole has had on the author is huge.

There are many commendable elements of the work. Bourne’s ability to make something artistic or entertaining out of something common is a skill that not many authors possess. In the writings, I found myself relishing everyday events such as her finding a hidden cookie jar as a child or seeing a bear on a trip to Alaska. I appreciated the digestible nature of the text, as someone could sit down to read a story or poem or two and then move on to something else. The author takes a very straightforward and genuine approach to reminiscing about days gone by, and readers will undoubtedly find comfort in the simple pleasures conveyed. The snippets offer a nice respite from more intensive readings.”

I can’t disagree with most of his summary, but I only posted the good stuff above. Go to the link to get the bad stuff.

Overall, for a first effort done on a whim, I will take his 2 out of 4 and consider it not half bad.