The Complete Stories by david malouf

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 25,2025

I'm going to say upfront, I didn't finish reading this book. I renewed it 3 times at the library thinking, Oh, I'll finish it now! yet I never did. I can't say why except that his stories seemed incredibly dense, but not rewarding.

Here's the opposite problem of which I often complain: this felt like beautiful writing (usually my favorite, as anybody who reads just a few of my reviews can gather) but the stories lacked a plot or character that evoked any sort of emotional response in me. So, there you go! Finally, I admit that it's not just about how well you can turn a sentence! Is somebody nothing this day?

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Rafiikii

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 25,2025

Enkel Blacksoil Country gelezen

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Vaibhav81

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 25,2025

While some of the stories are interesting, most are nostalgic, sentimental, and, dare I say, aristocratic. However, magnificent writing and authorship, relatively easy to read. Some things are said in a straight forward way, but are very complicated things to say.

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Derenor

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 25,2025

Australian author, well written and a new view point for me - fresh and intriguing.

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Suga_Kun

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 25,2025

Read in 2008 with Dad.

The March selection in Dad’s and my reading challenge. I had read a few Malouf novels so this was one of my suggestions.

LOVED it. [Both of us did.] Had no idea going in, but the dude is a MASTER of the technique and these are certainly some of the best stories I’ve ever read, and probably the best overall collection. [Dad might not be QUITE as nutty about them as I am.]

Seems he can write from any angle, any point of view: young boy, middle-aged woman, loner, popularity queen, happy, sad, criminal, just. The atmosphere is rich and vivid (and reeks of Australia, I could feel myself there again). The language is thick and layered and sensual [reminded Dad of D.H. Lawrence stories]. Really beautiful. In many stories, a BIG event has taken place “offscreen” (never to be known), with the focus on the human reactions and following chain of effects.

My favorite stories were: “Every Move You Make”, “The Domestic Cantata”, “Sally’s Story”, “Great Day”, and “A Traveller’s Tale”.

Highly recommended.

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Tm0_

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 25,2025

There's no doubt this is a well crafted collection. It's not an easy read. The stories really need to be studied, unlocked, so to speak, to appreciate them. Not bad, just not my cup of tea.

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