Junket by Lauren Groff

Junket Reviews

• 
  Dannii Elle

  Actual rating 2.5/5 stars.
  
  An all-expenses paid few days of rest and relaxation at an Arizona retreat sounds like a dream. For our protagonist it is her reality, but what occurs there is a lot of introspection and unsettling occurrences, instead.
  
  I can definitely see the appeal of this story and why it has garnered such high praise from other readers. It gives lots to think about and much evolves off the page, leading the reader to become an active part of the narrative. For me, however, it just wasn't what I had anticipated or was desiring to read.
• 
  Verónica Fleitas Solich

  Just genius.
  Short stories are not my thing, however this was an absolute five star for me.
  Sharp, ironic and funny.
• 
  ✨ Anna ✨ | ReadAllNight

  I love Lauren Groff's writing and her stories continue to amaze me.
  
  This story seemed to appear as a coincidence because a good friend was actually at Canyon Ranch (the setting is likely based on CR) the place when it became available to read.
  
  The brilliance of Groff's writing sends my mind to new places and makes me want to read everything more than I already do, which is a positive effect.
  
  As another reviewer said, you feel compelled to re-read Groff's work , and I think that's the highest compliment you can give a writer.
• 
  Kimiadhm

  Not really my thing
  
• 
  Megan

  The reader would like to have back the fifteen minutes that she took to read this.
• 
  Jade Courtney

  Definitely a strange story, almost unsettling, but I really liked that about it. I definitely found it thought-provoking too. Tbh, I think I needed to pay more attention to it so hopefully I'll reread it at some point.
• 
  Jessica Blackman

  An interesting short story to add to my goodreads challenge.
• 
  Jessica L. Martens

  Some interesting set-up, but not enough space to do anything in this format.
• 
  sillyslicker

  3.5 stars
  
  A short story about a writer whose life has left her feeling tired and resentful is asked to go on a retreat, in place of a more famous writer who had to call out, at the last minute. Arriving at the retreat seems to bring out more and more bitterness and hatred towards the rich guests, who she views as vapid and having not a care in the world. The contempt and jealousy really started to bother me, and I was worried that the story may just be preaching about the injustice of the upper-class. Like many retreats, this one included activities that are not entirely based in the physical world, like meditation, reading of projected energies, etc., and while I found it fun to roll my eyes along with the writer, I started to get annoyed that she was picking apart everything at a trip she agreed to go on. Just go along with it, and find whatever peace you can in the activities - you know? And thank goodness, that's what she eventually ended up doing! I don't know how the author managed to do such a good job, but I could literally feel the tension leaving the writer's mind and body - she felt so much more free and light. By the end, I was glad that I listened to this one; not exactly life-changing, but it was a good way to pass some time, and made me think about life and how we react to it.
• 
  Allison

  This is a short story about the experience of a cynical writer at a spiritual retreat.
• 
  Meg [franklybookish]

  Meh.
• 
  Johanna

  I have no idea what I just read!
• 
  Maria Do

  Uma narrativa de autodescoberta, muito boa para nos fazer refletir sobre o que realmente tem valor em nossas vidas.
• 
  Joanne

  They say comparison is the thief of joy, and this is the story of a writer whose burnout is quickly hardening into resentment and bitterness as she spends a weekend as a last-minute ‘replacement guest author’ in the company of moneyed women at a high end spa, invited by a wealthy colleague. A cautionary tale that reminds us to take time to self-reflect and appreciate yourself, that, in Groff’s capable hands, could have filled in more blanks, and supported an entire novel, had she wanted.
  
  I think Groff wrote this line, “The work that lies slack and boneless, barely twitching these dark months, won’t miss her. Nor will the apartment, which she came back to one afternoon in the fall to discover that it had been emptied of half the books and furniture, as well as the entire boyfriend. And the cat. She told her friends that she missed the books most, she almost convinced herself of this, but had begun to want to rub up against strangers in the elevator and was starting to suspect that her body disagreed..,” and then constructed the rest of the story around it.
• 
  Pamela Anderson-Bartholet

  Although I could appreciate the arc of this short story, it simply did not grip me in a way that encouraged me to give it a higher rating. I listened to the audio book (less than an hour long), and that may have been the barrier to my enjoyment because I did not care for the narrator. She had a pleasant enough voice; however, it felt as though she was trying to push me toward predetermined conclusions. Her narration had just a bit too much "acting" in it...and that did not work for me with this short story. I'm sure she is a fine narrator with other books, but this one was a little overdone.
  
  The story itself also did not grip me. AND...I write that even though I have thoroughly enjoyed Lauren Groff's other books. She is a wonderful writer; I highly recommend FLORIDA.
• 
  Mark Nicholson

  Not sure what to make of this. My first time reading (listening to) this author's work. She clearly has talent by his past achievements and even this story was very well written. He use of descriptive words was amazing.
  
  Unfortunately, I couldn't get into the story or the protagonist called, "The Writer."
• 
  Niamh Walsh-Vorster

  This seemed like a personal short story, but I might be making assumptions.
  
  "The Writer" character is basically all woke white women (maybe add millennial in there too). So, to be reveal myself, I could relate to the cynicism and giving in of nice things.
  
  Might re-read this one.
• 
  Alethiavitale

  In terms of writing style and vocabulary …Lauren stands above most popular fiction writers of today. This was a very short story that highlighted her strengths though not sure what the point of the story was.
• 
  Danielle McClellan

  It feels a bit cheaty to include these audio shorts as books read, but I do want to track them along with the longer novels I read. I like Groff s writing, especially Arcadia, and this was a really well-crafted short piece.
• 
  Lisa

  A boring slice of life story with a neurotic, annoying character-trait of being judgemental
• 
  Rebecca

  I enjoyed this novella/ Short Story.
• 
  Paige T

  For a short story, it was far too wordy for me.
• 
  Betty Bennett

  I appreciated the author floating back and forth between imposter syndrome and honest appraisal. Will read more by this author
• 
  C Libby

  Charge your crystals
• 
  Salomé Esteves

  A shot of Lauren Groff's brilliance.
• 
  Alexandra Lin

  Probably the most obnoxiously millennial thing I’ve ever read. Calling it a book or short story would be an insult to both.
• 
  Ally

  The premise of this sounded so interesting but I don’t feel like it matched the story? I just feel confused. This was not for me.
• 
  Anné Jude Anderson

  Another excellent short story written in Groff’s signature engrossing style.
• 
  aleksandra (taylor's version)

  will be reading more of her works, loved the writing