I appreciated Bonnaffons’ efficiency. She has an effective sparsity of words that give you the whole story and do nothing extra for you. It’s a technique that makes her work emotionally bleak, but also gives you little enough that some story concepts work, and some fall. Instead of laboring through descriptions of what I didn’t care for, I will say that the sparse narration of “A Room to Live In” made it touching, the final image of “Doris and Katie” made the whole thing round and just the right size to hold in a hand, and I’m glad “The Wrong Heaven” was first and the title story; it deserved both.
My habit is arguing with book jacket quotes, and so, to Kevin Wilson, author of Perfect Little World and The Family Fang, I do not think this book altered me in all the necessary ways. I do not think this book altered me, I think it made me sad for part of the drive from Ohio to Michigan after I read while eating a pathetic lunch at a highway rest stop after five hours of interstate. That wasn’t really altering me, and it certainly wasn’t necessary. ( )

Many of these stories are unsettling, with endings that go beyond ambiguity to feel unfinished. Just one strange moment, left unresolved. They are oddly moving, poetic, offering a kind of insight on what it is to try to make our way in the world, among other familiar and alien people, but not in a straightforward or graspable way.

I'm not entirely sure I liked this book, but I'm glad that I read it. ( )

Really enjoyed this book — favorite stories are Wrong Heaven, The Cleas and A Room to Live In. ( )

Irreverent, at time humorous, a very original use of magical realism, in a book of shorts that are totally original. I enjoyed these, they were quite shocking at times, but because of that they drew me in. Always wondered what the next one would bring. Not easily interpreted, think these stories will mean something different to each reader.

My two favorites, were the title story in which a young woman buys plastic statues of Jesus snd the Virgin Mary. When plugged in they speak, and what they say is not quite what one would expect. The ending, totally unexpected. The second was about a woman who needs and doesn't want to give up a room that she doesn't share with her husband. She is a dollhouse maker, and she makes the family to go with the houses out of clay. One day two of the clay children ncome slive with some strange results. Entertaining and surprising. Taking the reader to very unexpected locations.

As much as I enjoyed these, I would not recommend to every reader. There are many sexual situations, language etc. If that doesn't bother you, as I said these are very unique either a very out there use of magical realism. Some great prose and insights as well. ( )