Good and Evil and Other Stories

Good and Evil and Other Stories cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Technical
  • ID: 3647
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • ISBN: 9780593803103
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2025-09-16
  • Reviews: 3

Samanta Schweblin's Good and Evil and Other Stories is a mesmerizing collection that delves into the complexities of the human condition. The stories are praised for their ability to capture the essence of human vulnerability and the uncanny moments that disrupt ordinary lives. Schweblin's prose is noted for its tension and truth, creating a literary universe where everyday monsters feel eerily close. The characters in these tales are often at a point of no return, grappling with uncertainty and the profound questions that arise from their experiences. Critics have lauded Schweblin's work for its brilliance and provocative nature, with comparisons to some of the most extraordinary questions in literature. The collection is described as haunting, fierce, and capable of transporting readers to a hypnotic world that is both recognizable and strange. Schweblin's ability to construct narratives that provoke awe and disquiet makes this a standout work in contemporary fiction.

Reviews
Book Munch · 2025-09-19
Unsettling 4.20

The stories are delivered like uneasy temptations, each one unique and unsettling in its own way.

The reviewer compares the stories to a box of chocolates, each one a different and uneasy temptation. They appreciate the variety and the way each story feels distinct yet part of a larger, unsettling whole. The collection is seen as a masterclass in creating discomfort and intrigue, with each story leaving a lasting impression.


Quick quotes

    These are short stories delivered like uneasy temptations.

    Imagine a 100-year-old box of chocolates, each of which is wrapped in different, unsettling ways.

    The collection is a masterclass in creating discomfort and intrigue.

The New York Times · Joyce Carol Oates · 2025-09-14
Mesmerizing 4.00

The stories explore the ambiguities and ironies of domestic life with a mesmerizing and unsettling quality.

Joyce Carol Oates finds the collection to be a mesmerizing exploration of the ambiguities and ironies within domestic life. The stories are praised for their ability to unsettle and provoke thought, making the mundane feel strange and intriguing. Oates appreciates Schweblin's skill in weaving together elements of the everyday with the surreal, creating a collection that is both thought-provoking and haunting.


Quick quotes

    The Argentine writer Samanta Schweblin explores the ambiguities and ironies of domestic life in a new collection.

    The stories are praised for their ability to unsettle and provoke thought.

    Schweblin's skill in weaving together elements of the everyday with the surreal is highly commended.

The Guardian · 2025-08-26
Unsettling 4.50

The collection maps a journey through fear and the permeability of boundaries, exploring the essence of horror in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling.

The reviewer highlights how the stories delve into the terrifying yet fascinating aspects of fear and the boundaries between reality and the unknown. They appreciate the way Schweblin's prose makes the ordinary feel eerie and unsettling. The collection is seen as a masterful exploration of human emotions and the darker corners of the mind, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.


Quick quotes

    The Argentinian writer maps a journey through fear, healing and the terrifying permeability of our boundaries.

    The collection is a masterful exploration of human emotions and the darker corners of the mind.

    Schweblin's prose makes the ordinary feel eerie and unsettling.