Legoland

by Gerard Woodward
Legoland cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Short Story Collections
Technical
  • ID: 3831
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781447288688
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2016-02-11
  • Reviews: 3

Legoland is a captivating collection of short stories by Gerard Woodward, known for his ability to blend black humor, surrealism, and poetic phrasing. Each story begins with seemingly mundane events, only to take a sharp turn into the unsettling, where the normal rules of life no longer apply. Whether depicting a child's birthday party or the invasion of an unnamed country, Woodward's tales are filled with his signature wit and surprise, effortlessly shifting from comedy to tragedy within a single narrative. This collection highlights Woodward's literary prowess, confirming his status as one of the most gifted and original writers of our time. His prose is both lithe and engaging, carrying readers through a range of emotions and scenarios that defy expectations. Included in this volume is his acclaimed story 'The Family Whistle,' which was shortlisted for the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award.

Reviews
LitRefsReviews · 2019-05-29
mixed 3.00

The stories are odd and eccentric, balancing on the edge of confusion. The reviewer finds some stories intriguing but notes issues with pacing and structure.

The reviewer finds Woodward's collection to be a mix of odd and eccentric stories that sometimes struggle with balance. They appreciate the intriguing concepts and the author's ability to create unique narratives. However, they note that some stories suffer from pacing issues and uneven structure, which can be confusing. The reviewer feels that certain passages could be shorter, and some story ideas might have been better served with more concise execution. Overall, the collection is seen as a mixed bag, with some standout moments but also some areas that could be improved.

Quick quotes

    Legoland is a collection of odd and eccentric stories that balance on the edge of confusion.

    Several times in these stories I felt that the proportions were wrong - a passage lasted 3 pages instead of 1; a story idea should only have been a paragraph.

    Many of the short stories intrigued me as the concepts were unusual and thought-provoking.

The Guardian · 2016-03-26
inventive 4.00

The collection showcases Woodward's ability to explore surreal and absurd themes with skill. The stories are inventive and engaging, making the most of the short story format.

The reviewer praises Woodward's latest collection for its creativity and depth. They highlight how Woodward skillfully navigates the surreal and absurd, creating stories that are both engaging and thought-provoking. The reviewer enjoys the inventive nature of the stories, noting how well they fit the short story format. They appreciate the author's ability to delve into unusual themes while maintaining a compelling narrative. Overall, the collection is seen as a testament to Woodward's talent for crafting unique and captivating tales.

Quick quotes

    This volume, like his 2008 collection Caravan Thieves, revels in the possibilities of the short story, straying into the surreal and the absurd with glee.

    Woodward has a real way with the "gently odd"--baboons becoming more present than people.

    It produces a powerful hysteria (so exciting and unsettling)

The Independent · 2016-02-11
poignant 4.50

The stories capture life's impermanence and fundamental human needs with a poetic touch. The collection is poignant and evocative, highlighting the author's skill in portraying complex emotions.

The reviewer finds Woodward's collection to be deeply poignant and evocative. They appreciate how the stories capture the impermanence of life and delve into fundamental human needs. The reviewer is struck by the poetic touch in Woodward's writing, which adds a layer of depth to the narratives. They highlight the author's ability to portray complex emotions and create a sense of loneliness and longing. Overall, the collection is seen as a moving exploration of human experiences, with a strong emotional resonance.

Quick quotes

    Woodward captures life's impermanence, describes fundamental human needs and demonstrates that it's possible to be surrounded by people yet feel completely alone.

    The sense of being haunted by a parallel figure lends itself nicely to the short story as a form.

    It produces a powerful hysteria (so exciting and unsettling)

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