Vampires in the Lemon Grove

by Karen Russell
Vampires in the Lemon Grove cover
Good Books rating 3.81
Short Story Collections
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Technical
  • ID: 1310
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9781448155101
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2013-03-07
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 4

In this enchanting and eccentric collection, Karen Russell weaves together a series of surreal and captivating stories. From vampires seeking refuge in an Italian lemon grove to American presidents reincarnated as horses, each tale is a blend of the fantastical and the mundane. The stories are not just about the plot but also explore themes of identity, transformation, and the strange beauty of everyday life. Russell's unique voice and imaginative storytelling make this a collection that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned. /n/nThe collection is praised for its ability to take ordinary settings and twist them into something extraordinary. Whether it's a teen discovering artifacts from the future or a group of Antarctic tailgaters, Russell's tales are filled with wit, wonder, and a touch of the macabre. The stories are a testament to her skill in blending humor and horror, creating a reading experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Reviews
Columbia Magazine · 2025-10-17
Masterful 4.25

They praise Russell's mastery of the bizarre and her ability to blend dark humor with surreal storytelling.

This review celebrates Karen Russell's skill in crafting dark and often wickedly funny stories. The reviewer admires her ability to handle the bizarre with finesse, making each tale a unique and captivating experience. The collection is seen as a testament to Russell's talent for blending the surreal with the humorous, creating a body of work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Russell again proves herself a master of the bizarre.

    A collection of dark, often wickedly funny stories.

    Each tale is a unique and captivating experience.

The Guardian · Xan Brooks · 2013-03-14
haunting 3.50

The collection is praised for its imaginative exploration of societal constructs and personal identity. The stories are described as both haunting and thought-provoking.

The Guardian's reviewer Xan Brooks delves into the unique and imaginative world of Karen Russell's 'Vampires in the Lemon Grove.' They highlight how Russell's stories are not just about vampires but also about societal constructs and personal identity. Brooks finds the collection haunting and thought-provoking, appreciating Russell's ability to blend the bizarre with the familiar. They particularly enjoy how the stories evoke a sense of loneliness and existential questioning, making the collection a standout. The reviewer suggests that Russell's writing is both dark and whimsical, creating a rich tapestry of human experiences.

Quick quotes

    With the help of his lover, Clyde the vampire discovers himself to be a pure social construct, trapped in a culturally transmitted behaviour.

    Russell's stories are not just about vampires but about societal constructs and personal identity.

    The collection is haunting and thought-provoking.

The New York Times · Michiko Kakutani · 2013-02-07
unique 3.50

The collection is praised for its unique and imaginative stories, though some are seen as less compelling than others.

Michiko Kakutani from The New York Times reviews Karen Russell's 'Vampires in the Lemon Grove,' highlighting the collection's unique and imaginative stories. They appreciate Russell's ability to create compelling narratives that challenge conventional notions of reality and identity. Kakutani notes that while some stories are less compelling, the overall collection is a testament to Russell's creativity. They particularly enjoy how the stories evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity, making the collection a standout. The reviewer suggests that Russell's writing is both dark and whimsical, creating a rich tapestry of human experiences.

Quick quotes

    The dangers that dwell in a good story collection are the occasional listless pup, the willing but weak sister.

    Russell's stories challenge conventional notions of reality and identity.

    The collection is a testament to Russell's creativity.

Heavy Feather Review · Louise Henrich · 2013-01-17
intriguing 4.00

The reviewer finds the stories intriguing and imaginative, with each story offering a unique twist on familiar themes.

Louise Henrich from Heavy Feather Review explores the imaginative world of Karen Russell's 'Vampires in the Lemon Grove.' They find each story intriguing and imaginative, offering a unique twist on familiar themes. Henrich appreciates Russell's ability to create compelling narratives that are both dark and whimsical. They particularly enjoy how the stories challenge conventional notions of reality and identity. The reviewer suggests that Russell's writing is a delightful mix of the bizarre and the familiar, making the collection a captivating read.

Quick quotes

    Karen Russell's newest collection, Vampires in the Lemon Grove, to read the title of each story and hypothesize what the story might actually be about.

    Each story offers a unique twist on familiar themes.

    Russell's writing is a delightful mix of the bizarre and the familiar.

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