Description
The stories collected here are linked by more than the exquisitely winding prose of their creator: Helen Oyeyemi's ensemble cast of characters slip from the pages of their own stories only to surface in another. The reader is invited into a world of lost libraries and locked gardens, of marshlands where the drowned dead live and a city where all the clocks have stopped; students hone their skills at puppet school, the Homely Wench Society commits a guerrilla book-swap, and lovers exchange books and roses on St Jordi's Day. It is a collection of towering imagination, marked by baroque beauty and a deep sensuousness.
Status
Available
Call number
Publication
New York : Riverhead Books, 2017.
Media reviews
'Flawless'
Oyeyemi has created a universe that dazzles and wounds.
User reviews
LibraryThing member charl08
The stories are weird and wacky, ranging from puppets who have independent thought to a complicated act of revenge on a misbehaving pop star by a young fan. I think I liked the sweet love story set in a Cambridge college the best, as a member of a feminist society with a long history of opposition
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to a 'boys only' club considers what has changed, what does their embrace of the once perjorative 'homely wenches' means, and how does it embrace her 'gender fluid' friends. Other stories tap into riffs on Czech folk stories (Oyeyemi is now based in Prague), religious belief and dealing with grief. Characters from the stories have connections to each other, reappear in the periphery of narratives though each stands alone. Unlikely to be similar to anything else you read this year (and if like my other Oyeyemi reads, memorable so that I will still be thinking about them for some time). Show Less
LibraryThing member ozzer
This collection originally attracted me because of all the glowing reviews that it received. After reading a few stories, I was tempted to quit primarily because of their nonsensical quality. Yet a persistent feeling that I was missing something important kept nagging. After finishing and a few
These nine weird stories relate to each other because they have characters (puppets, ghosts, Greek goddesses, imaginary people, etc.) in common and seem to evoke some vague imagery of keys. The writing is indeed creative, but the plots are too convoluted, the settings too strange and coherent themes seem deeply submerged (if they exist at all). Reading these stories is a little like watching a 4th of July fireworks show —color, pyrotechnics and unpredictability are all on display, but the whole thing seems quite ephemeral.
The collection reflects Oyeyemi’s eclectic and enthusiastic writing style, but misses the mark set by her previous work. The stories have stories within them like Russian dolls. Some have a fairy tale quality. Humor is always close to the surface. Oyeyemi revels in imagery and playful story telling. Without a doubt she is a talented writer and there is a lot to digest here. However, she failed to motivate me enough to want to re-read any of these stories. In fact, most of them left me with a pervading sense of skepticism. All were gone from memory within a few days much like the 4th of July fireworks.
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days mulling, I concluded that my original impression seemed correct—style repeatedly trumped substance. Bear in mind that there is nothing wrong with stylish writing, but a memorable reading experience seems to demand more from the author. These nine weird stories relate to each other because they have characters (puppets, ghosts, Greek goddesses, imaginary people, etc.) in common and seem to evoke some vague imagery of keys. The writing is indeed creative, but the plots are too convoluted, the settings too strange and coherent themes seem deeply submerged (if they exist at all). Reading these stories is a little like watching a 4th of July fireworks show —color, pyrotechnics and unpredictability are all on display, but the whole thing seems quite ephemeral.
The collection reflects Oyeyemi’s eclectic and enthusiastic writing style, but misses the mark set by her previous work. The stories have stories within them like Russian dolls. Some have a fairy tale quality. Humor is always close to the surface. Oyeyemi revels in imagery and playful story telling. Without a doubt she is a talented writer and there is a lot to digest here. However, she failed to motivate me enough to want to re-read any of these stories. In fact, most of them left me with a pervading sense of skepticism. All were gone from memory within a few days much like the 4th of July fireworks.
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LibraryThing member RandyMetcalfe
In this series of loosely connected stories, Helen Oyeyemi demonstrates her mastery of a distant and distancing style of writing. Both place and characterization are vague. Gender assignments are unspecified (typically). Emotion is muted. And standard rules of cause and effect may not apply. The
Many of the stories here, such as “books and roses,” or “‘sorry’ doesn’t sweeten her tea,” or “drownings,” involve violence intermingled with passion. They can be unsettling and also opaque. Sometimes that push to the extremes overshoots into the macabre or the ghostly, as in “presence”. And it can make a more straightforward Cambridge University story like, “a brief history of the homely wench society,” seem almost out of place.
It may be that I’m just not well placed to fully appreciate these stories. There is no doubting Oyeyemi’s skills. But I find this style of writing so emotionally flat and texturally empty that there is nothing to engage with. The characters do not come alive for me. And neither do their locales. And for the most part, neither do their plots. That leaves me with little more than respect for Oyeyemi’s linguistic control. But that isn’t enough for me to recommend these stories to others.
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effect is rather like overhearing the telling of a fairytale. It’s not a unique style. You can see it most prominently in Ali Smith’s work and probably the later Ishiguro novels. However, it does seem to point up a divide between what is going on in North America in short story writing versus what is happening in Britain.Many of the stories here, such as “books and roses,” or “‘sorry’ doesn’t sweeten her tea,” or “drownings,” involve violence intermingled with passion. They can be unsettling and also opaque. Sometimes that push to the extremes overshoots into the macabre or the ghostly, as in “presence”. And it can make a more straightforward Cambridge University story like, “a brief history of the homely wench society,” seem almost out of place.
It may be that I’m just not well placed to fully appreciate these stories. There is no doubting Oyeyemi’s skills. But I find this style of writing so emotionally flat and texturally empty that there is nothing to engage with. The characters do not come alive for me. And neither do their locales. And for the most part, neither do their plots. That leaves me with little more than respect for Oyeyemi’s linguistic control. But that isn’t enough for me to recommend these stories to others.
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LibraryThing member msf59
“I read without stopping to the end, as if somebody were chasing me through the pages with a butcher's knife.”
“A library at night is full of sounds: The unread books can't stand it any longer and announce their contents, some boasting, some shy, some devious.”
I have wanted to read [[Helen
I will be defintely be reading more Oyeyemi.
“A library at night is full of sounds: The unread books can't stand it any longer and announce their contents, some boasting, some shy, some devious.”
I have wanted to read [[Helen
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Oyeyemi]] for a few years now and I am glad I started with this collection, which gave me the perfect snapshot of her writing chops. These stories are not always easy to absorb, so do not expect a smooth or quick read, but her sharp intelligence and depth, is apparent on every page, especially with the opener, “Books & Roses”, which was stunning. I just wish she would have revisited this story, later on, since many of the stories are linked, one way or another. Her brilliant craftsmanship, actually reminded me of David Foster Wallace, at times, which is of the highest praise. I will be defintely be reading more Oyeyemi.
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LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
The stories in Helen Oyeyemi's new collection have a fairy tale feel to them, full of magic and mystery. Oyeyemi's writing style is well suited to this atmospheric approach, but not to the form of the short story. Her stories meander and characters that seem central to a story when it begins,
That said, some stories were more successful than others. The shorter offerings were more focused. I enjoyed A Brief History of the Homely Wench Society, which only digressed for a few pages early in the tale. Telling the story of Day, a student at Cambridge University, who joins the eponymous society, which was formed in reaction to the Bettencourt Society, an especially vile boys' club that once created a list of the homeliest women students, only to discover that a classmate is a member of that club. The Wenches come up with a clever prank to play on the Bettancourt boys, which ends up having repercussions on both sides.
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wander off as Oyeyemi's focus turns to someone else. I'm now eager to read what she comes up with in the less restrictive parameters of a novel, but I'm not going to read another short story collection by this author.That said, some stories were more successful than others. The shorter offerings were more focused. I enjoyed A Brief History of the Homely Wench Society, which only digressed for a few pages early in the tale. Telling the story of Day, a student at Cambridge University, who joins the eponymous society, which was formed in reaction to the Bettencourt Society, an especially vile boys' club that once created a list of the homeliest women students, only to discover that a classmate is a member of that club. The Wenches come up with a clever prank to play on the Bettancourt boys, which ends up having repercussions on both sides.
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LibraryThing member Othemts
What is Yours is Not Yours is a collection of linked short stories, all of the stories including keys as a symbol, with some characters from earlier stories reappearing in later stories. Oyeyemi creates a wide diversity of characters and settings while keeping a natural flow that veers among the
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weird, humorous, and practical. The stories contain elements of magical realism and mythological ideas in a contemporary setting. This is one of those books where I feel I missed a lot of things in the reading and would definitely be worth revisiting. Show Less
LibraryThing member St.CroixSue
This is a selection of short stories with a ‘key’ theme woven throughout each piece. This was the first book I have read of Oyeyemi, but I will read definitely read more. The writing is beautiful, with elusive characters, and the listener must pay attention as the author also weaves in and out
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of reality. Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryStuntwoman
Featuring the phrase “open me carefully” as an epigraph, Helen Oyeyemi's irresistible What is Not Yours is Not Yours will pique your curiosity from the very first page. Should you dare to proceed, you’ll find the Big Bad Wolf and sentient puppets coexisting with psychologists, filmmakers, and
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rival undergraduate student clubs in this loosely connected collection of short stories. Blending and recasting fairy tales, folklore, and aspects of contemporary culture, Oyeyemi's What is Not Yours is alternately mysterious, playful, and sly. Although What is Not Yours will delight fans of Oyeyemi's previous works, which include Mr. Fox and Boy, Snow, Bird, the book will also appeal to readers looking for a book with more than a touch of the fantastical or a wholly original read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rascalstar
This author writes outside the box, which can be at once refreshing and befuddling. There's no doubt about her terrific imagination and great writing. Exquisite details draw in the reader only to spit him/her out on their bum at the end of the story, or maybe before that. The ride is fine. I reread
My copy is an uncorrected proof from Goodreads Giveaways, without the errors often found in finished books these days. Maybe one or two typos is all. This is a really lovely book, unexpected. Don't look for anything usual about these stories. This is a writer to watch and have in your library.
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often. Usually I do that when the writing is either beautiful, that special turn of phrase, or when it's necessary to reread for comprehension or memory, if I've stopped mid-story. These are longer stories. My copy is an uncorrected proof from Goodreads Giveaways, without the errors often found in finished books these days. Maybe one or two typos is all. This is a really lovely book, unexpected. Don't look for anything usual about these stories. This is a writer to watch and have in your library.
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LibraryThing member FionaLiddle
Helen Oyeyemi's prose is truly beautiful; perhaps the best I've ever read. There is no effort necessary to read these stories- the book opens itself up and absorbs you completely.
While many works which feature discussion of 'young' issues are painfully obviously aimed at a particular age group,
Quite simply stunning.
While many works which feature discussion of 'young' issues are painfully obviously aimed at a particular age group,
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Oyeyemi's works collected here flit effortlessly between mindsets and the effect is one of awesome illumination and acceptance.Quite simply stunning.
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LibraryThing member CurrerBell
½* for finishing it. Another ½* because it's at least competently written (grammatically, that is). And still another ½* since it seems to have some real popularity among some readers. Grand total, 1½* – and seeing the comments on some of her other books, I don't have any intention of reading
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them. This whole thing is completely confusing. Show Less
LibraryThing member kakadoo202
I really wanted to like but i could not get into the stories nor identify with any characters
LibraryThing member allison_s
God, this is a stunning collection. Me last night: "Oh this story will be my favorite.....oh no this one is better.... THIS ONE IS THE BEST...." There are two that didn't speak to me quite as passionately as the others (I won't name names), but this is the strongest non-SF/F collection I've read in
My absolute favorites were "Books and Roses", "'Sorry' Doesn't Sweeten Her Tea", and "A Brief History of the Homely Wench Society".
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years. Oyeyemi's writing is simply beautiful, but we all expect that from her at this point. I loved picking up the familiar threads and faces from story to story. My absolute favorites were "Books and Roses", "'Sorry' Doesn't Sweeten Her Tea", and "A Brief History of the Homely Wench Society".
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LibraryThing member TheAmpersand
There's fantasy, and there's urban fantasy, and there's magical realism, and there's this. As a writer, Helen Oyeyemi's has her virtues: the stories in this collection are skillfully and slyly connected, and, in the stories here that are set in contemporary Britain, she displays an admirably
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economical, slightly acid tone that suits the material pretty well. The problem, most of the time, is the material itself: it's one thing to write literature about modern, multicultural post-Empire Britain and quite another thing to turn in it into some sort of feather-light multi-ethnic fantasy-land. Too many stories here reminded me of a Benetton ad gone to Hogwarts: Oyeyemi's stories are populated by pretty young things from all parts of the globe whose impossible beauty and enormous talents make them, quite frankly, a little tedious to read about. There are some fun ideas here, and even some good stories -- "Presence" is a time-travel thing that seems equal parts human and creepy and "Freddy Barrandov checks...in?" and "Dornicka and the St. Martin's Day Goose" read like the first chapters of something really interesting. But most of "What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours" lands on the wrong side of the line that separates good reading from twee fluff. There's a story about a school for puppeteers, for Pete's sake. After reading this one, I'm going to pick up something dirty, gritty and ruthlessly minimalist just to cleanse my palate. Show Less
LibraryThing member ireneattolia
i might try a physical version in the future, i just realized how much i hate audiobooks
LibraryThing member nancyjean19
I really enjoyed two of these stories – one about a puppet school, and one about teenagers reacting to a disturbing video online – liked a few more, and couldn't connect with a couple of them. I like magical realism but not when I feel like it's telling a story in an old-fashioned,
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once-upon-a-time style instead of getting into depth with how characters are feeling. That's why I didn't really like "100 Years of Solitude." Some of her lines will really stay with me, though, like one that says there are two kinds of people, those who show their love by taking on burdens, and those who show their love by refusing to be a burden. I recommend this book to those who enjoy a pretty high disconnect from reality, but a lot of beautiful writing and messages, too. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyattbonikowski
The open-ended nature of Oyeyemi's imagination is best represented in her short stories, both here and in Mr. Fox. While I still think Mr. Fox is her best, this is my second favorite and I'm looking forward to re-reading it soon. My favorite stories are "Books and Roses" and "Is Your Blood as Red
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as This?" Show Less
LibraryThing member jakecasella
Wonderful collection! Not quite sure how to describe it generically; reminded in equal parts of Kelly Link and Jose Cortazar, and Oyeyemi has a distinct voice. Magical realism and absurdism, really lovely.
LibraryThing member CarrieWuj
The stories in this collection read like fairy tales, even when set in modern day scenarios with technology and conveniences. "This happened and it didn't happen" begins one tale called "Drownings." Even the title of the book has the same kind of ambiguity. A removed narrator or second-person
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telling also creates the sense of distance --these are merely things recounted, with little to no judgement or investment; the reader is left to draw conclusions or infer meaning. Some characters overlap between stories and they have such improbably jobs and engage in such mundane but unbelievable activities that it reminded me in part of Seinfeld without the obvious humor. Everything here is too subtle. Show Less
LibraryThing member ssperson
These stories are beautifully written, but I confess that I didn’t get all of 5hem, and I skipped a couple because they just didn’t click for me. It’s possible that I’m not the person for short stories. Or maybe I didn’t pay enough attention in my college English classes to give these
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stories the justice they deserve. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookishtexpat
Helen Oyeyemi brings brilliance and quirk in her collection of short stories, and I was just as delighted as when I read "Boy, Snow, Bird." Some of the stories were sad, others were angry, and still others were as delightfully complicated as reality...with a magical realistic twist. Some of the
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stories certainly were not my cup of tea but overall I really enjoyed the stories and some of them captured me so fully I would read 500 page novels about the characters. Such a fantastic short story collection! Show Less
LibraryThing member Kristelh
Short stories
1. books and roses. Interesting but a lot of tangents. Girl with key left with monks, two lesbians, library and roses.
2. "sorry" don't sweeten the tea
1. books and roses. Interesting but a lot of tangents. Girl with key left with monks, two lesbians, library and roses.
2. "sorry" don't sweeten the tea
Subjects
Awards
PEN Center USA Literary Award (Winner — Literature — 2017)
PEN/Open Book (Winner — 2017)
Dylan Thomas Prize (Longlist — 2017)
NPR: Books We Love (2016)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — 2016)
Language
Original publication date
2016
ISBN
1594634645 / 9781594634642