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Shirleynature's Reviews > Bad Kansas: Stories
Bad Kansas: Stories (Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction)
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Shirleynature's review
bookshelves: lawrence-ks-author, bciab, debut, funny, kansas, kansas-notable, recommended-by-kb, short-stories
Nov 17, 2022
bookshelves: lawrence-ks-author, bciab, debut, funny, kansas, kansas-notable, recommended-by-kb, short-stories
Disparate stories reveal flawed awkward characters. You’ll recognize certain personalities —— like townies you may know; with edgy & redemptive humor, they’re struggling in ambivalent relationships, weighing the merits of living in Kansas versus California, and more life choices. Becky Mandelbaum’s debut collection was inspired by the assumptions Californian’s made upon learning she moved from “fly-over country”.
The story “Bald Bear” is so well-depicted; even if I didn’t live near the Vinland, Kansas setting I would be able to picture it clearly.
Recommended for fans of Denis Johnson as well as Flannery O’Connor.
Awarded: Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, High Plains Book Award for First Fiction and a Kansas Notable Book!
The story “Bald Bear” is so well-depicted; even if I didn’t live near the Vinland, Kansas setting I would be able to picture it clearly.
Recommended for fans of Denis Johnson as well as Flannery O’Connor.
Awarded: Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, High Plains Book Award for First Fiction and a Kansas Notable Book!
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Reading Progress
October 6, 2022
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Started Reading
October 6, 2022
– Shelved
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
bciab
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
lawrence-ks-author
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
short-stories
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
recommended-by-kb
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
kansas-notable
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
kansas
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
funny
October 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
debut
October 10, 2022
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25.0%
October 11, 2022
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30.0%
"These disparate stories reveal flawed characters struggling in ambivalent relationships, the merits of Kansas versus California, and more choices with edgy, redemptive humor. Recommended for fans of Denis Johnson."
October 17, 2022
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38.0%
October 18, 2022
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49.0%
October 19, 2022
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65.0%
October 21, 2022
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72.0%
October 29, 2022
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90.0%
November 17, 2022
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Finished Reading
