48 review for The Man with Eight Pairs of Legs (Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction)

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Monique – Apr 10, 2022

   I loved reading this book! There was something both unexpected and soothing about the breadth of what is covered within each of these moving stories. They are beautifully crafted tales, rich in poetic language - something both classic and timely about each one. Whether it’s the uniquely told tale of love and amputation in the title story The Man with Eight Pairs of Legs, the concisely beautiful narrative of forbidden love and salvation in The Hermit’s Tattoo or a sizzling page turner like Overtu I loved reading this book! There was something both unexpected and soothing about the breadth of what is covered within each of these moving stories. They are beautifully crafted tales, rich in poetic language - something both classic and timely about each one. Whether it’s the uniquely told tale of love and amputation in the title story The Man with Eight Pairs of Legs, the concisely beautiful narrative of forbidden love and salvation in The Hermit’s Tattoo or a sizzling page turner like Overture (you know it’s good when you’re hoping to wait in line just a little bit longer at the DMV so you can find out what happens next!) - Leslie Kirk Campbell seems to have a knack for exposing those parts of us humans as we love, ache, relate and manage the world we live in- all with a lyrically poetic and hip sensibility. Highly recommend this gorgeous collection of stories!

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Tanya Shaffer – Apr 03, 2022

   This is a wonderful collection! Leslie Kirk Campbell's stories are layered and complex. Her characters grapple with wounds both individual and collective. They carry the weight both their personal stories and their family histories. But though there is a lot of pain here, there is also a lot of hope. In language that is often gorgeous and poetic, Kirk Campbell shows us humans trying to connect with each other, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding in unexpected ways. Thumbs up! This is a wonderful collection! Leslie Kirk Campbell's stories are layered and complex. Her characters grapple with wounds both individual and collective. They carry the weight both their personal stories and their family histories. But though there is a lot of pain here, there is also a lot of hope. In language that is often gorgeous and poetic, Kirk Campbell shows us humans trying to connect with each other, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding in unexpected ways. Thumbs up!

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Janine – Apr 10, 2022

   4.5. I am old enough to remember when short stories went out of fashion for awhile, partly because magazines no longer featured then and for other reasons too. The resurgence of the craft is most welcome and this collection is a great example of classic form. As in any collection, some are better than others, but a few of these are prose at its finest.

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Travelmaven – May 04, 2022

   Very thankful to have won this via a GoodReads giveaway. These stories captivated me! Each one hit my soul differently. I lost all track of time and space and everything as I fell into them. The people - the stories - each one is a little miracle. I can't wait to read more by this author. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. Very thankful to have won this via a GoodReads giveaway. These stories captivated me! Each one hit my soul differently. I lost all track of time and space and everything as I fell into them. The people - the stories - each one is a little miracle. I can't wait to read more by this author. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Sidik Fofana – Mar 19, 2022

   SIX WORD REVIEW: Unafraid to bounce deftly around globe.

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Ethel Rohan – May 09, 2022

   Some of the most visceral, impactful, and original stories I've read. The imagery throughout the collection is stunning. Some of the most visceral, impactful, and original stories I've read. The imagery throughout the collection is stunning.

7. 

   5 out of 5

   NancyMc – Mar 31, 2022

   Some of the stories were a “5” in 🌟’s but I lost interest in others. So overall 3🌟

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Alex Silberstein – Apr 04, 2022

   These stories are delicious! Leslie Kirk Campbell's lyrical use of language brings these marvelous stories to life with a breathtaking vividness. Her characters navigate fraught situations, laying bare physical and emotional wounds. These beautifully crafted tales are rich, moving, and a delight to read. These stories are delicious! Leslie Kirk Campbell's lyrical use of language brings these marvelous stories to life with a breathtaking vividness. Her characters navigate fraught situations, laying bare physical and emotional wounds. These beautifully crafted tales are rich, moving, and a delight to read.

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Leslie Lindsay –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Jason Tower –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Lauren Alwan –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Leslie Campbell – Feb 24, 2022

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Charlotte Adams –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Anna –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Alan –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Chabela Yrigoyen –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Edith McBean –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Leslie Eisenberg –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Lira –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Al Lloyd –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    Victoria Gettinger –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Keith –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Abraham Schroeder –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Robin –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    DT Regula –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Amanda –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Erin –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Danielle Vandehaar –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Heather –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Emily Butler –

31. 

    4 out of 5

    Michael Chiusano –

32. 

    5 out of 5

    Jess Schroeder –

33. 

    4 out of 5

    Gerardine Betancourt –

34. 

    5 out of 5

    Kristen Antioho Verkaik –

35. 

    4 out of 5

    Sophia Bailey –

36. 

    4 out of 5

    Tracey –

37. 

    4 out of 5

    Caroline –

38. 

    5 out of 5

    Leah Catching –

39. 

    5 out of 5

    Gaby Hoffman –

40. 

    5 out of 5

    RL Hansford –

41. 

    4 out of 5

    Brooke Turner –

42. 

    4 out of 5

    Enara Alcalde –

43. 

    4 out of 5

    Kerri –

44. 

    4 out of 5

    Jennifer –

45. 

    4 out of 5

    Lesley –

46. 

    4 out of 5

    * salma * –

47. 

    5 out of 5

    Mia –

48. 

    5 out of 5

    Thomas S –