Aran Haydec Haydec itibaren 50617 El Sabinar, Zaragoza, España
These short stories are smart and silly; just what you would expect from Steve Martin, the comedian. (As opposed to what? Steve Martin, the massage therapist?) Cruel Shoes is not as good as Pure Drivel, his other collection of short stories, but I'd still recommend it and I'd still marry Steve, you know, if it ever came up.
** spoiler alert ** I had a hard time getting into this one at first. It's an ugly, hostile dystopian universe, thick with the harsh slang dialect used by the main character/narrator, and takes awhile for the plot to get going. But when it does, wow! Tense, thrilling, adventurous and thought-provoking. I could see why my co-worker's been talking about it for months. I was totally enthralled and loving it and in my head had given it 4 stars.... And then....the dog died. In the MOST heart-wrenching scene I have EVER encountered in teen fiction. Manchee wasn't just any dog - he was a brave and loyal dog who totally saved his owner's life a bunch of times, and he was a TALKING dog. So not only do you have the sucker-punch of the dog dying, you have to witness the dog's death throes, hear him calling out to his owner in pain, fear and betrayal as he is brutally murdered. I didn't just tear up. I cried great huge shuddering sobs. My heart broke. Fuck you, Patrick Ness. I will never forgive you for writing that scene. It cost your book another star.