Interesting short stories.
it was enjoyable. But it was short stories too, and i did not get too much time to get to know the characters.

this was a really eye opening read, it really makes you think about yourself and others. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from the author.

An absorbing collection of short stories.I was drawn in to the first story &read from story to story.Full of emotion life interesting characters.Highky recommend this stellar collection.#netgalley#fsk

Thank you NetGalley for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Escape To Candyland is definitely not Candyland. It's more like the opposite of the happy carefree game. In a collection of short stories set in Atlanta, we experience snippets of life from those who have not had an easy time. Each story is different, but virtually all of the stories are in some way sad, despairing, bleak, longing or negative. These are dreams and hopes gone awry. This is the American dream in reality instead of as seen on TV. I found the brutal honesty and gritty portrayal refreshing and much more real than much I've read lately. Definitely eye opening and compelling!

The Escape to Candyland is a series of sometimes-interconnected vignettes exploring the lives of people in Atlanta, as well as some others connected to them.

This was a painful read with few, if any, silver linings. Most of the stories deal, in some way or another, with marginalized members of society, their troubles, their secrets, their inability to rise up beyond their circumstances, the violence that perpetuates itself through generations. Yet, while painful, the book is gripping and immensely readable, making you feel for the characters and hoping against hope that things might turn out well for them after all.

The one objection I have is that, midway through the book, what have thus far been individual stories, start to connect and form (at least they did for me) an expectation of coming together in a more complex manner than they ultimately ended up doing. In a way, I almost wish Takahashi had stuck to individual stories rather than build up expectations and wishes (I really wanted to know more about the little girl in the grocery store!) that ultimately found no resolution.

Still, this was an impactful book that will stay with me for a long time.

The mix of so many peoples stories was great but I really wanted more time with a few of them. The stories ended quite abruptly and left me wanting more. I loved that the book was set around Atlanta which was fun to hear all about my city. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC of this book.

This book absorbed me. I'm a people watcher. I am happy sitting and wondering about the people who pass me. I loved the introduction to so many different people and quest for the American dream.

I love that each chapter is a personal narrative of different characters all of whom have shared experiences either directly or indirectly. As the book progresses you start to see how all of the voices are entwined and there a lot of their lives have been negatively impacted by the same 2 recurring names... Freddie and Pastor Leach.
My only disappointment is that I don’t know what happens to all of the voices in the book, though they have a dedicated chapter, their stories touched me and I was immediately invested in that character.

The author wrote a stellar collection of short stories that takes the reader through a myriad of emotions. With realistic writing that captures the emotions we all feel this collection will be easily enjoyed by any reader.

I really enjoyed this and the concept of short stories that Takahashi used to create loosely connected narratives. often short chapters like this would have gaps or leave the reader wanting to know more, so in this book, it was really nice to have another branch of the story or characters explored in other chapters.
However, I was hoping for elaboration on the chapter Donor Number 2000-799.

There was a lot of exploration and glimpses into a variety of lives and complicated scenarios that people have to go through. It was very real and raw and evokes those thoughts that these horrifying or saddening events could simply be something that a neighbour or anyone on the street could have or is going through. I loved that the book left me with a lot of thoughts, proving for a very impactful plot and exploration of human nature/society that personally for me, makes up for other lacking aspects such as character development.

I would recommend some trigger warnings beforehand as I hadn't realised some of the themes that were included would be in there, nonetheless, I still enjoyed it, but would have to think before recommending to certain people.