Giraffe & Flamingo

De: Curtis Sittenfeld

Narrado por: Tanya Eby

In this incisive short story about memory and the limits of self-perception, the New York Times bestselling author of Rodham and Prep reflects on motherhood, gender, power dynamics, and the lingering effects of the past.

Emily appears to have it all: professional success and a sweet family life. But when her promotion causes her family to relocate to a new city, the move unexpectedly stirs up unpleasant memories of Jack Olney, the handsome jock who bullied her during college.

As Emily sorts through her recollections and past humiliations, she decides to reach out to her old dorm mates. Do they remember her? Are they happy? And whatever happened to Jack?

With piercing emotional truth, Curtis Sittenfeld explores the indignities we can’t ever seem to shake - and the pitfalls of self-reflection.

©2020 Curtis Sittenfeld. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

It’s a diversion

The narration sounded like a computer. Not my favorite story by Sittenfeld. But like many of her other stories, I wanted to know how it ended. I wanted to know if I would approve of the characters final choice, if it would be the same choice I would make in her shoes. As always, it’s a snap shot of real life. Of the mundane that is often overlooked.

Vapid and boring

I usually love Curtis Sittenfeld. This story felt empty and without any real point. It showcased a woman essentially regressing in maturity in her adulthood. Hugely disappointing.

Definitely not her best work.

“MEH” pretty much sums this one up. How does a short story end up so long and rambling? Definitely not her best work. Skip this and go (re)read “Eligible.”

Glad It was Free

Pro: The narrator did a good job. Her voice was easy to listen to.
Con: The author could have easily left out the ‘F-bombs’ and appealed to a broader audience. In short, it’s a short story about college kids in a Co-Ed dorm sleeping around.

Weird Story, Robotic Reader

The story was only ok. Too obsessed with going to the bathroom. Also, this reader is monotonous.

Weird story

I’m a big fan of Curtis Sittenfeld but this missed the mark. Mostly a short story about pooping in dorm life. Strange. And I HATED the narration.

Low marks

I usually love Curtis Sittenfeld but this story was no good, inane. Slow and unsatisfying.

Disappointed

The author is one of my favorites, but I could not get past the first 10 minutes of this story. I don’t know if it was the content of the story, the style of narration, or both, but I was not able to hang in there to see if things got sorted out.

LIFE IS A STORY! DON'T MISS THE MORAL!!!

There are sooooo many of life's moments in this story that are put together in such a way that you won't want to miss a single one!!! It's worth reading more than once just to find the ones you might have missed all of the other times! This would be a great family teaching tool for children as well ages 5+. Make it a time of discovery for them but more so for yourself! There will come a time when the overall single moral will be the only and last one you find. Pass it on when you do; but not to your children! They will find that single moral on their own and it will be for them only and different from yours!!! Make note, list and compare the ones you find and how they apply to your life. The sharing is how the depths of the story become real to each of you!!! A magnificent story that will last an eternity!!!!!