...[a] near-faultless debut collection ... This pervasive undercurrent, the fallout from Ireland’s boom and bust, permeates the book ... a quietly dazzling collection.
The territory may be bleak but McLaughlin maps it with a rare lightness of touch — with humor, compassion and a sense of wonder, all solid as the elements ... [a] nearly faultless collection.
Dinosaurs On Other Planets is full of such arresting, resonant and precise writing. Yet McLaughlin’s prose also suffers at times from inexactness and cliché...This kind of writing dilutes the strength and intensity of McLaughlin’s otherwise careful and particular prose ... Dinosaurs On Other Planets is an impressive achievement. It makes the world feel ancient and alien, familiar and new.
The entire collection is set in Ireland. But McLaughlin’s scrupulous attention to regional details and the nuances of human behavior renders each story unique ... Dinosaurs on Other Planets is more than a compelling read—it’s a study in compassion, a beautifully-written reminder of how often human behavior is dictated by forces and loved ones beyond our control.
