The Rock Eaters

by Brenda Peynado
The Rock Eaters cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Short Story Collections
Technical:
  • ID: 1328
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-04
  • ISBN: 9780525507277
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2021-05-11
  • Reviews: 3

Brenda Peynado's 'The Rock Eaters' is a mesmerizing collection of stories that blend elements of science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism to tackle pressing issues like class differences, immigration, and xenophobia. Each tale is a unique exploration of what it means to be 'other' and to love in a world that often seeks to divide us. The stories span various settings and time periods, from suburban families performing rituals to cattlelike angels to inhabitants of a dictatorship losing parts of their bodies. The collection is praised for its originality and has been recognized by NPR and the NYPL as one of the best books of 2021./n/nThe title story, 'The Rock Eaters,' tells of children who begin to levitate, leading their parents to feed them rocks to keep them grounded. This and other stories reflect our flawed world, highlighting the incredible, terrifying, and marvelous nature of humanity. Peynado's work is compared to authors like Carmen Maria Machado and Kelly Link, making this a must-read for fans of speculative fiction.

Reviews
The New York Times · 2021-06-25
imaginative 4.25

The collection is engaging and imaginative, with a focus on societal ills. The use of bleak humor and literal metaphors adds a unique layer to the stories.

The reviewer finds The Rock Eaters to be both engaging and imaginative, with a clear focus on societal ills. They appreciate the use of bleak humor and the way metaphors become literal, adding a unique and thought-provoking layer to the stories. The reviewer believes that Peynado's approach makes the collection stand out and offers a fresh perspective on important issues. The stories are praised for their ability to captivate and provoke thought.

Quick quotes

    In these 16 engaging and imaginative stories, Peynado keeps our societal ills squarely in her sights.

    With her bleak humor, metaphors become literal.

    The Rock Eaters offers a fresh perspective on important issues.

NPR · 2021-05-15
engaging 4.00

The horror in The Rock Eaters is subtle but devastating, particularly in the shortest story. The collection explores deep emotions and longing with a unique and captivating approach.

The reviewer highlights how horror creeps into the stories subtly but powerfully, making a significant impact. They appreciate how the collection delves into complex emotions and longing, creating a unique and engaging reading experience. The shortest story, in particular, stands out for its devastating effect. The reviewer finds the exploration of these themes to be both original and compelling, making the collection a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Horror creeps into The Rock Eaters with subtlety, but when it does, it's devastating.

    "What We Lost" is the shortest story in the book; as such, ...

    The Rock Eaters explores the boundaries of emotion, possibility, and longing.

Fantasy Literature · 2021-05-13
excellent 4.50

The Rock Eaters is praised for its range of stories, from good to excellent, with most being wonderfully crafted. The collection is considered one of the strongest story collections read in some time.

The reviewer is highly impressed with The Rock Eaters, noting that the stories range from good to excellent, with most being wonderfully crafted. They believe it is one of the strongest story collections they have read in a while. The reviewer appreciates the variety and quality of the stories, making the collection a standout. The collection's ability to engage and captivate the reader is particularly highlighted.

Quick quotes

    Brenda Peynado hit it out of the ballpark with The Rock Eaters.

    With stories that range almost entirely from good (a few) to excellent (most) to wonderfully ...

    The Rock Eaters is the strongest story collection I've read in some time.

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