I received a copy of this book as an ARC. I truly enjoyed it. I remember her first book that I read, Tender is the Flesh left me thinking for a long time after. This one doesn’t have that same effect but I believe it’s the nature of short stories. I really enjoyed this because the short story format is good for giving you just enough information to keep you invested and keep the story mysterious. I enjoyed all the stories, there were not that I disliked but there was certainly some that stood out. The short stories I liked th most were actually towards the end of the book, with the one about the men going to meet up on a double date at a “concert” being one that made me want to find out what happens next. Overall, this was a strong collection of short stories and I look forward to reading more.

Some of the stories felt much weaker than others. I really enjoyed a few of them though. A LIGHT, SWIFT, AND MONSTROUS SOUND was my favorite, but I also liked Earth, and Anita and Happiness.

Wow. Just wow. These stories were very atmospheric, sent my imagination into overdrive, and left me unsettled. I loved all of them. I feel like I could reread these short stories multiple times and experience them differently every time. Truly a wonderful experience.

Agustina Bazterrica's Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird: Stories is the latest English language release from the author of the captivatingly disturbing Tender is the Night. Gathered here are twenty short stories of horror, humor, unnerving events or narrators, absurdity or some combination of all of the above.

Ably translated by Sarah Mosses, the stories go many different places, but all feel like snippets from other worlds. There are some common themes and like any short story collection, most stories have a central moment where things shift or end with an abrupt twist and many of them revolve around death.

A few stories I found particularly resonant, summarized below:

- Perfect Symmetry - A man who knows an assassin has him marked prepares a perfect meal
- Teicher Vs. Nietzsche - Man versus animal for the glory of soccer.
- The Continuous Equality of the Circumference - A women obsessed with circles seeks to become one.
- The Solitary Ones - A women travels home at night, alone.

Bazterrica is a talented author and I look forward to seeing where her muse leads her next.

These are all such interesting and spooky stories! Horror can take you down multiple paths, but these are legitimately all spooky. Some are unsettling and will stay with you. The majority of the stories are short but impactful. There were a couple that did not quite hit the same high mark as the others, but if you like horror or you like short stories, these are worth your time.

I haven't read many horror books, and I don't often read short story collections. However, I am so glad I read Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird, and I would recommend this to everyone even if these aren't your preferred genres. I enjoyed all of these different short stories. Some of them stood out more than others, but I thought all of them were intriguing. Some were way more disturbing and haunting than others, and my favorite has to be Teicher vs. Nietzsche.

Tender is the Flesh was the book that got me into the horror genre, so I was very excited to receive an eARC of Agustina Bazterrica's new book thanks to netgalley.

This book is everything I love about horror. These 19 stories are haunting and beautiful. I haven't read anything like it before. Highly recommend!

This is such an interesting and unique set of short stories. Each story is told with such detail and is meant to make you feel uneasy or simply say "what the fuck is happening". Every story is weird, so if you enjoy stories with wild tales that make you question everything, this collection is for you! The first 5 stories along with the last 2 stories were the ones i enjoyed. For the ones in between, I couldn't really tell if I iust didn't understand what was going on personally, or if you weren't meant to know what was going on at all. I think these stories could be interpreted in different ways, and in that sense this short story collection is very much a piece of art. This collection fell flat for me because I enjoy stories where I don't have to interpret what is going on, but I could if I wanted to. It seems like this collection wants you to work to decide what is happening, which I know is what a lot of people look for in short story collections, it's just not for me.

I really tried and could not get completely I to these stories. The first half flew by but the second half I really struggled. I don’t know what it was that I could not get into. The writing was great and the stories were interesting but I just struggled. I’m perplexed with myself for this one. I got this from NetGalley.

This collection of horror stories has a way of holding onto you tight just when you want to pull away. When you finish it, you’ll want to cleanse the palette, because you must, but you find your heart is still racing & that you can’t or at least not yet! Stay a while. Sit in awe of the whole reading experience: the macabre, the freaky, the dark humor and the stories you have a need to go back to.

Reading this book really makes me want to read Bazterrica’s first book! And I will!

Death is very much a central theme in this book and suicide and the macabre so it’s definitely not a book for the lighthearted.

The following stories left a strong impression on me:

“Candy Pink”
“Anita and Happiness”
“Dishwasher”
“Teicher vs. Nietzsche”
“The Continuous Equality of the Circumference”
“Mary Carminum”

There were several stories I felt I liked just enough and then there were others I didn’t get and those were usually on the shorter side or were a little too abstract for me to get right away.

This short story collection is on the dark, horror side of the spectrum of fiction and I liked it knowing that going into the reading experience.

Thanks so much to Scribner and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this short story collection.

3.5 stars. Like most short story collections, I enjoyed some of these stories more than others. The ones I enjoyed most were "A Light, Swift, and Monstrous Sound," "The Wolf's Breath," and my favorite, "The Slowness of Pleasure." 

There are a few themes that ran through the book: death/suicide, child molestation, and observation/gaze being the most obvious to me. However, what unified these stories to me was not the morbid topics they explored but the surreal yet specific descriptions they contained. Bazterrica writes such vivid imagery that even though some of these stories were so surreal I had a hard time understanding what was happening, images from them have stuck with me. The writing is so atmospheric in some of these stories I got chills. 

And yet, after reading some of these (maybe around half of them) I felt duped-- like I was strung along with this beautiful imagery and then it just got really weird and ended, or in some cases the ending felt obvious in a way that detracted from the tension that had built. There were a few bangers, for sure, but I wanted more. 

Another thing I liked about this collection was that, unlike many short story collections, I didn't feel like the stories bled together. They each felt unique, even reading them back to back in a couple of sittings. 

Overall, I enjoyed reading this but I wouldn't say it's on par with Tender is The Flesh. I think readers who enjoy surrealism and experimental horror will enjoy this. Specifically, readers who enjoy the short stories of Leonara Carrington, Amparo Davila, and Samanta Schweblin I think would love these. I am still eager to read what Bazterrica writes next, I think their longform fiction is just more up my alley!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Netgalley, and Scribner books for the e-copy and physical copy of this one to read!

I literally pulled this out of the mail, sat down in my comfiest reading nook and read this in it's entirety. There's something about Agustina Bazterrica's writing that, although macabre, is gripping and mesmerizing. Each word feels like it's slotted perfectly into the puzzle, and I knew that her short stories would exceed my expectations.

I think this worked for me for a few reasons. It felt like a cohesive collection, however it had enough variety that moving from one story to the next was neither mundane and indistinguishable, nor jarring and confusing. Each story felt complete and doused you in the discomfort of your quietest thoughts and, at times, your deepest fears.

Of the 20 stories, I gave a range of individual ratings, primarily between 4 and 5 stars (with a couple of 3s). Some of my favorites included the woman who desired to become a circle, the story of a woman alone in a subway car, and "Candy Pink".

I love the brutal and haunting nature of these stories - they'll definitely stick with me. Again I'm wowed by Bazterrica's brilliance. 4.5 Stars

From the same author as Tender is The Flesh comes Nineteen Claws And A Black Bird. I am a huge fan of Tender is The Flesh and loved this book as well. Atmospheric, lurid novella of stories. Every story felt like a shadow, graceful yet ominous shadows. The kind of shadows you would find yourself following because of the uninhibited tenacity that they contain.
The bizarre dystopian situations you might hear about in a nightmare or in the cliff notes of an authors nightmare.

Each short story was unique and singular in its setting and likewise gave me unique and singular feelings. Shock, anticipation, bemused, different emotions for each story. Some of my favorites were: Candy Pink, Roberto (A karmatic tale of revenge of sorts), Unamuno's Boxes, The Slowness of Pleasure was pure tragic poetry. The silky words lulled and mesmerized you. Dark decadence, like eating poisoned chocolate.

This book of small novellas has intricate small world building, with striking details. Despite the short length each character POV is clearly drawn out. A book of existential horror with a beating pulse. I highly recommend this read.

I want to thank Pushkin Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of "Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird" in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this. This is the first time I've read a book with multiple short stories and I have to say it was a great read. I'm usually one to skip these sort of books but I'm so glad that I didn't. The emotions, descriptions, and overall atmosphere through these stories was truly mesmerizing.

I had a couple favorites and that was Roberto,
Perfect Symmetry,The wolf's breath and No tears. These really made me think and made me feel a sort of way. No Tears was my absolute favorite and made me realize there are people out there that want to cry and feed off that energy.

This book goes over many different themes, some not suitable for people that are triggered by certain things. So of course definitely check triggers.

Once again thank you!

before i picked up tender is the flesh, i had not finished a book since probs like 2017🧐 19 claws and a black bird marks my 50th read of the year. i love little coincidences like this.
I also love the way @agustinabazterrica fills my entire being with dread and disgust and despair in just a few pages. A few of her stories in this collection, I have already shared with my friends because i cannot shake them from my being.
Be sure to read up on trigger warnings as some stories cover some hard topics. My favorite of the collection were:
🐰 Roberto- teacher finds out student has a pet rabbit
🛸 Anita and Happiness-man falls for a strange woman
🖼️ The Slowness of Pleasure- woman connects to an art piece before her

I pre-ordered this book when it was first announced and I am so glad I did because this is one of my favorite collections i’ve read this year.

thank you @netgalley and @scribnerbooks for this ARC

3.75 stars.

I loved Tender is the Flesh so I was very excited to get an ARC of this book! These stories were beautifully and disturbingly written with subject matter from suicide death and grief, mental illness, violence, and more that I’m sure I wasn’t even able to discern. These stories speak to both the mundaneness of life and the terrible uniqueness of it.
My favorite stories were: A Light Swift and Monstrous Sound, Unamuno’s Boxes, Perfect Symmetry, The Continuous Equality of the Circumference, and The Dead.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

bazterrica's voice is haunting and immediately recognizable, a factor that plays both as a strength and as a detriment. the stories in this collection start off incredibly strong, but the further into the text i got, the more repetitive the writing style and tempo became, even when the themes at hand were shifting. there are only so many descriptive and eerie narratives you can fit into a collection before the stories become shapeless and tiring.

"Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird" by Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Moses, takes readers on a journey through nineteen dark and wildly imaginative short stories. Having enjoyed Bazterrica's previous work, "Tender Is the Flesh," I eagerly dove into this collection, eager to witness the author's unique perspective on the human experience.

Bazterrica's stories delve into a wide range of themes, exploring violence, alienation, dystopia, and the depths of our unspeakable desires. From the very beginning, the author's clever and vivid writing style captures the reader's attention. However, as is often the case with short story collections, both hits, and misses can be found within these pages.

While each story presents an intriguing premise, I must admit that many of them failed to leave a lasting impact. They seemed to build up towards something significant, only to abruptly conclude, leaving me yearning for further exploration of their themes. The endings, in particular, fell somewhat flat, lacking the anticipated punch.

Nevertheless, "Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird" still offers an enjoyable and swift reading experience. The stories themselves are engaging, enhanced by the interplay between dark realism and surreal elements. Bazterrica's exploration of topics such as abuse, murder, suicide, and alienation succeeds in maintaining reader engagement throughout.

Within the collection, a handful of stories emerged as personal favorites. "Elena Marie Sandoz," "No Tears," and "The Solitary Ones" enthralled me with their distinct premises and compelling characters. These narratives exemplify Bazterrica's talent for crafting thought-provoking tales that plumb the depths of human emotions.

I want to thank Pushkin Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of "Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird" in exchange for an honest review.

Despite my reservations regarding certain endings, this collection will resonate with fans of dark and peculiar stories. Bazterrica's skill in exploring the most shadowy recesses of the human psyche is evident throughout, rendering this collection a worthwhile read for those seeking unconventional tales that stretch the boundaries of imagination.

Agustina Bazterrica's "Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird" will be available for purchase on June 20th, 2023.

Agustina Bazterrica’s, Tender is the Flesh still sits with me months after reading it. So I was very excited and nervous to read their next book. I am so glad I did! A collection of 20 stories ranging from totally disturbing to totally surreal. This book begs to be read more than once after the initial shock wears off.

Bazterrica really flexed their writing in this one. From cruel, disturbing, sympathetic, and surreal. If you like your books dark with some good twists, 'Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird' is for you. Favorite stories from this collection: Earth, The Continuous Equality of the Circumference, A Hole Hides a House, Mary Carminum, & The Solitary Ones.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you, as always, to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book early!

If you are looking for a collection of inventive, confusing, surreal, and gut-wrenching stories that will keep you thinking about them long after you’ve finished, then this is the one for you. Many people have been—no doubt—introduced to Bazterrica’s work through Tender is the Flesh, and these stories follow a similar writing style, at times detached in their depiction of cruelty and horror, but in others entirely empathetic.

Some of these stories are told in a more traditional format, while others turn out to be puzzles in written form that I had an excellent time deciphering. Although, I can understand how that style may not be everyone’s preference. While I am a fan of horror, especially Latin American horror, sometimes Bazterrica’s work is a little too much for me. Not all of the stories were too much, but the odd one was difficult to swallow. But, after all, Bazterrica never tries to make their main characters into heroes. Overall, this is an excellent collection and fans of Tender is the Flesh and other horror will not be disappointed.