Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird

Stories

By: Agustina Bazterrica, Sarah Moses - translator

Narrated by: Aida Reluzco, Andy Garcia-Ruse, André Santana, Christian Barillas

An NPR Best Book of 2023

A collection of nineteen dark, wildly imaginative short stories from the author of the award-winning TikTok sensation Tender Is the Flesh.

From celebrated author Agustina Bazterrica, this collection of nineteen brutal, darkly funny short stories takes into our deepest fears and through our most disturbing fantasies. Through stories about violence, alienation, and dystopia, Bazterrica’s vision of the human experience emerges in complex, unexpected ways—often unsettling, sometimes thrilling, and always profound. In “Roberto,” a girl claims to have a rabbit between her legs. A woman’s neighbor jumps to his death in “A Light, Swift, and Monstrous Sound,” and in “Candy Pink,” a woman fails to contend with a difficult breakup in five easy steps.

Written in Bazterrica’s signature clever, vivid style, these stories question love, friendship, family relationships, and unspeakable desires.

©2023 Agustina Bazterrica (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Not Quite

I love her writing but most of these stories were a hit or miss. There were a few really good stories but I felt that most were unfinished. I wanted more out of the ones I enjoyed. They didn’t come to a close and it was hard to decipher the meaning.

A Disappointing Dive

As an avid reader, I recently picked up "Nineteen Claws and a Blackbird" with high hopes, mainly because of the author's previous work, "Tender is the Flesh." However, after delving into the pages of this novel, I was left profoundly disappointed and underwhelmed. While "Tender is the Flesh" showcased the author's talent, "Nineteen Claws and a Blackbird" fell short in numerous ways, making it difficult to recommend to anyone.

If you are considering reading "Nineteen Claws and a Blackbird" solely because of your admiration for "Tender is the Flesh," I implore you to skip it. This novel fails to live up to the expectations set by its predecessor and offers little to engage or captivate readers. Save yourself the disappointment and spend your credit on anything else.

WTF?

its all very confusing. I. I don't know what this is. a translation error? cultural differences? Just very confusing

Underwhelmed...

I struggled to finish this book, even having to switch to audio halfway through. The stories were mostly dull, and I found myself not caring about most of the characters. I rolled my eyes after more than one story... If you're reading this because you enjoyed Tender is the Flesh, skip it.

Not worth it

I read Tender is the Flesh and was highly disappointed in this book. The stories were terrible and after each one I had a WTF? moment. Don't waste a credit.

Gifted writing voice!

I absolutely love this author! TITF is in my top ten of all time. She can make the most horrific thing come alive with the most delicate of sentences. The stories captured here illuminate existential dread. She is strongest when writing about specifically on society’s expectations on women and children. She can capture innocence and violence effortlessly. Love her work!