Author:John Fuller
The tales collected here are complete miniature narratives. None longer than three pages, they rove, with hurtling changes of perspective, over myth, sex, science fiction, the Middle East, boredom, beauty, grossness, global history, childhood, music and death; yet a strange unity of purpose binds them into a coherent universe where lives are brief but great mysteries are glimpsed.
Her work has a velocity and a trajectroy that is little less than dazzling and a tough, enveloping, exhilarating voice than cannot be equaled.
—— Joy Williams, New York TimesA consistently arresting, frequently stunning collection...Even more impressive than Russell's critically acclaimed novel.
—— Kirkus ReviewsKaren Russell’s third book, the story collection “Vampires in the Lemon Grove,” should cement her reputation as one of the most remarkable fantasists writing today
—— Elizabeth Hand , Washington PostRussell can take Antarctic tailgaters, an army of seagulls or simply a window and twist a tale that explodes on the page and lingers in the mind
—— Fiona Wilson , The TimesA touch of paradoxically grounding pixie humour. This way of writing is so clever that nothing needs to be added to the set-up… These stories have unbelievable strength
—— M John Harrison , GuardianThese stories use the fantastical to make mythic sense of the human struggle, and perfectly balance light and dark, funny and serious, wacky and realistic
—— Suzi Feay , Financial TimesRussell is practised at whimsy and the surreal, at the magical and the unnerving
—— Paul Laity , ProspectRussell’s storytelling, fusing realistic and fantastic elements, is imaginative and beautifully crafted
—— Tina Jackson , MetroWildly fun and full of suspense
—— Jess Holland , ObserverThese stories will win her yet more fans, and offer typically colourful, off-the-wall entertainment
—— Stephanie Cross , The LadyKaren Russell’s second collection feels completely fresh… The writing is spot-on throughout, with rich world-building and fleshed out characters
—— Ally Nicholl , The ListRussell's descriptions are well thought out, and she heightens all of the senses, often bringing taste, touch, sight and smell into her stories
—— Kirsty Hewitt , NudgeHilarious... Dazzling... Exhilarating
—— New York TimesA joy of a collection
—— BookbagWhat makes Russell's writing a cut above the rest is her fresh and inventive prose... Even [her] less effective narratives are hard to forget
—— Emma Hagestadt , IndependentLoneliness and mortality have never had such a fun twist
—— Big IssueAs subtle as the colour of Kitsune's silk
—— M John Harrison , GuardianRussell is an amazing storyteller, and this book certainly whets the appetite for her next offering
—— Irish Times‘[Barrett] cuts across all kinds of boundaries of class and education to produce immensely tender portraits of living characters.
—— Anne Enright , Irish ExaminerThis is an exceptional debut, and one of the best collection of short stories that I have read in years.
—— Louise O’Neill, 5 stars , Irish PostAn exciting debut
—— Sunday TimesI don’t think I’ve ever read a better collection by somebody I had never heard of
—— William Leith , Evening StandardA technically-assured collection that never disappoints
—— Country & Town House