Florida

Beautiful writing, but a bit of a slog. Every story was so bleak and without humour or hope. One could say the writing quality was completely my style but the content was not. In most cases I had no sympathy for any of the characters and many of them I actively disliked. I actually cheered when I finished it because now I get to read something happier.

I mean what is there to say about Lauren Groff. I've loved every novel of hers, and this short story collection did not disappoint. “Eyewall” is a stand out, but there's a masterclass in craft on every page. Check trigger warnings, especially if you are a parent, but even the hardest to read stories are incredible pieces.

I think Lauren Groff may have made her way onto my list of favorite writers. She demonstrates real insight into how people think, how we make decisions or act in ways that don't always serve us, and how we think we're showing one thing but giving off something else entirely. These stories also show a variety of styles, showing Groff's abilities to tell a story that truly suits the story. Now, I've only read Florida and the novel Fates and Furies, so I'm excited that there's more work out there to read. And I can't wait to see where she heads from here.