This would not have been rounded up to 4 stars without hearing Sedaris on audio. His delivery is just so good. I'm sure that for most of the 3.5 stars
This would not have been rounded up to 4 stars without hearing Sedaris on audio. His delivery is just so good. I'm sure that for most of the time I was grinning like an idiot as I rode my bike to and from work.
I did have to skip all the stories at the end, which were fiction vignettes that I didn't find funny at all. It was completely jarring to hear stories from David's life, and then to switch to fictitious narrators and situations. The tone of those stories was really off to me - like, this is so horrible I want to rip my headphones off. I'm just going to pretend those stories didn't exist. I'm rating for the Sedaris essays only....more
Within Lily and the Octopus lies a parallel universe to one of my favorite TV shows of all time, Sex and the City. Switch out the characters and settiWithin Lily and the Octopus lies a parallel universe to one of my favorite TV shows of all time, Sex and the City. Switch out the characters and setting - If Carrie Bradshaw was a man... And Mr. Big was Jeffrey... And if LA was substituted for NYC... And her besties Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda were switched out for Meredith, Trent and Lily... - and you have the recipe for a charming book about a freelance writer who asks thought-provoking questions about his place in life and the meaning of the things the people around him say and do, and who uses humor as a defense against deeper emotions (and when humor doesn't work, then wave after wave of cocktails certainly will), and who, from the very first page, feels like someone you know and could relate to and through whose eyes you want to view the world if just for a few hours.
This book was so much fun to read, but also so hard to read. I had to take a break in the middle and reach for something lighter just because it's so apparent how the book will end and I just wasn't ready for it. By the last few pages, I had cried multiple times - and not just teared up, but cried real and deeply felt tears, for which tissues had to be fetched - and fallen deeply into the sad and confusing journey our hero Ted must take when his beloved dachshund, Lily, is overcome by the octopus.
I loved the magical realism; I loved the Moby Dick voyage out to sea; I loved Steven Rowley's writing style, how he depicted Lily to utterly sweet perfection (and having a 16.5-year-old cinnamon colored dachshund in the family, he really was spot-on in penning the quirky personality of this dog breed to the page), and how he caused me to both laugh and cry - and mostly, to feel - so deeply throughout the brief pages of this story. This is a book to highlight and reread one day, to ponder and to share, and I am so glad I read it....more
I really enjoyed the perspective and the clever premise of the book, which we've all seen done on film or TV, but which I haven't read in narrative foI really enjoyed the perspective and the clever premise of the book, which we've all seen done on film or TV, but which I haven't read in narrative form yet: the alien who descends to Earth to live amongst humans, a "body snatcher" with a purpose, whose belief in his alien directives changes when he learns just what gosh-darn quirky, lovable and sexy creatures we are.
While this book did have laugh-out-loud moments, there was something about the voice which was just too, dare I say, "alien" for me. Maybe it was the British-isms? Maybe it was the dry humor that distanced and didn't really let the reader in (or, as we Americans call it, another British-ism)? And then I was put off by that list at the end, the 97 points which Andrew wants Gulliver to know, which I felt was too much (and too cliche). While this book does have some nice takeaways about human behavior, our quest for meaning, and just how little we humans actually appreciate all of the incredible gifts we've been given, it ultimately did have too many cliches in it for me. I've read other reviews in which readers mentioned that this book changed their lives, or helped them through dark times, and I can see that - but for me it was a slightly above-average read (3.5), and not a book about which I feel particularly passionate....more
This is SO SMART. I can tell I'm going to like it :)
------
The perfect book to read up on the roof in the sun on a Saturday. I laughed out loud in someThis is SO SMART. I can tell I'm going to like it :)
------
The perfect book to read up on the roof in the sun on a Saturday. I laughed out loud in some parts, was amused throughout most of it, but mostly I was blown away by Gabriel Roth's writing. It's superb. It's smart, it flows, it feels effortless - like having a conversation - but it's imbued with so much intelligence, playfulness and perfectly selected diction. Like, whoa - I'll definitely be checking out Gabriel Roth's future books.
Regarding the story itself, it was very much in the vein of one of my faves, The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.. I recognize that this style of writing and the depiction of women is not for everyone, but personally I love the realism and getting inside of the male brain. It's brilliant. ...more
NATHANIEL IS REAL. He is a breed of guy out there, fooling around, and Adelle Waldman is inside of his head. Anyone who denies him or is sickened by tNATHANIEL IS REAL. He is a breed of guy out there, fooling around, and Adelle Waldman is inside of his head. Anyone who denies him or is sickened by the character is fooling themselves.
4.5 stars because, though at the start I was very skeptical, and around page 10 considered putting the book down for good, this story reeled me in, surprised me with its sage wisdoms glittering on every page of the elegant, almost glib text, and - more than anything - the very real, very recognizable insights into dating and relationships for anyone who grew up in the 1990s and either was born into or otherwise familiarized with a particular stratum of American society.
Waldman's observations are keen and well-timed within the narrative, striking with polished clarity and the clear ring of truth. The novel is not only a fantastic analysis of the difference between men and women in dating, but between men and women in general, and between this stratum and all others, represented mostly by Nate's immigrant parents and do-gooder ex Kristen, and the generic poor, usually non-Caucasian, and appearing usually in a service capacity, "others" who flit in and out of the fringes of Nate's life, which seem to be limited to other subway passengers and waiters.
To read the novel is to feel both contempt and pity, curiosity and repulsion, humor and a kind of reflexive, knee-jerk protestation that so many of the women in the book are characterized as enacting. If you ever wanted to lay a male flat on a table and lobotomize him to understand what makes his oh-so-frustrating brain tick, The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. does that with skill and genuine desire to portray truthfully, without skewing the results in favor of a pro-women diagnosis. Nate is so thoroughly characterized, his romantic exploits so rigorously catalogued, that, toward the end of the book, the novel ascends to classic literature proportions, when this protagonist and those characters who circle around his narcissistic sun, assume a higher purpose: reflecting, as in the novels Waldman cites, from Middlemarch to Anna Karenina, greater and more complex societal and psychological truths about a particular people in a particular age, their flaws, virtues, hubris and ego, and thereby capturing an essence much larger than the story of Nate himself, with far-reaching effect. By simply telling, revealing, and exposing the myriad conflicting thoughts Nate has about himself and those around him, without inflicting her scathing judgment as the creator, Waldman does something very clever: she allows Nate - and the book - to speak for himself.
Astute, laugh-out-loud humorous, suspenseful, thought-provoking, and so persistently convincing, it was really a pleasure to slip into Nate's mind and to become lost in the pages of The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.....more
Possibly my least favorite book by Jonathan Tropper, together with This is Where I Leave You. It's really hovering somewhere in between 2 and 3 stars,Possibly my least favorite book by Jonathan Tropper, together with This is Where I Leave You. It's really hovering somewhere in between 2 and 3 stars, but I'm bumping it up because I generally love Tropper's books and his style. But, boy, this one just fell so short of the mark.
It just felt... off. Nothing really happened. I didn't like the main character (although I did enjoy every other character in the book). The weird, one-page musings in italics recapping Silver's past romantic partners which cropped up at inappropriate points throughout the book were just distracting and unnecessary; so were the chapters during which there was only dialogue (think he must have been heavily into his Banshee scriptwriting stage); the romantic storyline with Lily just seemed tacked on at the beginning and end for the hell of it. The book lacked a cohesion that would have gelled all of these elements into a symphony of wry humor, intelligent sophistication and unabashed emotion fronted by a lovable "every(Jewish American)man" protagonist as only Tropper can portray so convincingly and charmingly.
I liked this book, but it was a little disappointing after Domestic Violets. Maybe it was the fact that I was reading it on a Kindle App, but this boI liked this book, but it was a little disappointing after Domestic Violets. Maybe it was the fact that I was reading it on a Kindle App, but this book felt so short. Each chapter was 2.5 pages... and while there was some nice activity, it did feel more like a 2-hour Seth Rogan film than a novel. The characters were kind of all over the place and the side stories (like the Glitter guys; the webcam girls; the scene of Andy's grandpa reunited with Dot in heaven - or was it Daisy in the nursing home?) seemed like random crusades for Norman to champion/reference. I still like Norman's prose, his dialogue, and his one-liners, and a lot of lines in the book made me smile, some even made me laugh out loud, but this book lacked continuity and the scenes were so short and visceral that it really felt more like a movie. If you're looking for something light that goes with popcorn and a side of vague meaning, try this....more
I can see why kids tortured poor Junior and why adults reading this book love him. This kid's resilience is off the charts. Manages to be very soberinI can see why kids tortured poor Junior and why adults reading this book love him. This kid's resilience is off the charts. Manages to be very sobering and uplifting in equal parts....more
It's been way too long since I read Jonathan Tropper. Tropper's one of those authors who consistently has meOh, Jonathan Tropper, how I've missed you.
It's been way too long since I read Jonathan Tropper. Tropper's one of those authors who consistently has me laughing out loud and enjoying myself through each of his books. While his characters all tend to be similar (over-analytical, self-critical, white, upper middle-class), it doesn't really matter because I love how Tropper brings them to life in awkward and hilarious situations. And he is - bar none - the master of dialogue.
Yes, Plan B is a little formulaic. Yes, its protagonist is a guy who wants to be a writer and ends up getting his inspiration from the events in this book. Yes, it's a first novel about college friends reuniting to figure out where they're going several years down the road. But it's quirky and wise and somewhat sentimental (which I like) and the characters are great - not pretentious and unlikable, like another book with similar themes which I just finished called The Futures. This book has actual depth and actual relationships and while the characters are self-pitying, yes, well... weren't we all a little bit as we eased over the hump of 30?
His characters in future books are a little more bogged down (marriage, mortgage, minivan, 1.5 kids) and I liked how his characters here were less jaded. This book is set in 1998 - another big bonus for me as the nostalgia factor was jacked up. I could totally see this book being turned into a movie starring the cast of I Know What You Did Last Summer or Dawson's Creek.
Some of my favorite bits:
"What we need is a Vulcan pinch," I said. "Are they referencing Star Trek again?" Alison asked. "They are," said Lindsey. "Why do they always have to do that?" "Because they have penises."
Chuck had somehow missed the stage where we all outgrew salutations like 'dude' and 'eat me', and he clung to those anachronisms tenaciously, as if they might somehow slow down the balding process.
By the way, Chuck has some great one-liners sprinkled throughout. My favorite, when Ben brings home a deformed, runt-of-the-litter pumpkin on Halloween eve: "Where'd you get that pumpkin, Chernobyl?"
And his cultural references are bang-on. I love his little insights into Baywatch and how you can tell the villain is the bad guy because he's the only one without a tan. That made me giggle....more
I love Tropper's writing style, having previously read This is Where I Leave You and How to Talk to a Widower. His stories are cinematic, and The BookI love Tropper's writing style, having previously read This is Where I Leave You and How to Talk to a Widower. His stories are cinematic, and The Book of Joe is no different. In fact, in the story, there's a movie based on the book starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kirsten Dunst. Not bad casting (although I think Tropper's reaching for the stars if he thinks Joe and Leo have anything in common; and is Dunst supposed to play Carly? I don't think so. Carly is obviously played by Phoebe Cates in the real fantasy of Tropper's movie version of this book).
As I paged through The Book of Joe, I just kept thinking that this is the continuation of every 80s movie you ever saw. What happens to those kids after high school? The ones who have the epic senior year and remain trapped in celluloid youth forever? Fast-forward in time, tracking characters from Ferris Bueller, Fast Times at Ridgmont High or any John Hughes movie, and you might just land smack in the middle of Bush Falls.
There's at least one literary gem on every page, some carefully crafted, humorous, shining piece of truth that makes you smile. Reading through a Tropper book is like going on a treasure hunt through a master class on creative writing. P.31: "Connecticut mothers, for the most part, weren't big on cleavage when they grocery shopped... Cleavage, like the good china, was reserved for special occasions, and even then was displayed sparingly."
However, after the first one hundred pages or so, fatigue sets in. Tropper's just a little bit too descriptive. He loves his characters and his town, and each description of who they are and what they do shines with enthusiasm, but that can start to grate on your nerves. But Tropper's just too good to show restraint. He's a showy writer, working for every smile and laugh, hoping to catch you in the mood for a guffaw, and sometimes his writing acrobatics exhaust, while at other times they entertain.
Nonetheless, for anyone who loved 80s movies, or ever went to suburban American high school before cell phones, it's a great read....more
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars simply because of Harbach's writing talent. His craft is just so practiced. What I appreciated most was that Harbach was abl3.5 rounded up to 4 stars simply because of Harbach's writing talent. His craft is just so practiced. What I appreciated most was that Harbach was able to weave wonderful, sharp observations into the story, well-chiseled paragraphs that exposed the true nature of certain social phenomena with just a few concise taps of his laptop keys. Take his observations about doctors as a perfect example: they think they know suffering because they see it every day, yet they have the wealth and resources to prevent really having to experience suffering.
The downside of this story? It lingers in the doldrums for much too long. In the middle, while Owen is recovering, there are at least 100 pages of his characters' internal struggles that seem to drag on forever without progressing the story. Extended conversations about collegiate energy conservation and Affenlight's prissy waffling about how to handle his attraction to Owen comprised some of the most annoying sections of the book. And David's visit - was there even any purpose to that, except to cause a rift between Schwartz and Pella?
Harbach seems to be imbuing symbolism into several things throughout the book: the soup, which nourishes the student body, which Henry refuses to partake in, and which eventually will become (view spoiler)[Affenlight's last supper (and perhaps contribute to his death with its creamy richness?) (hide spoiler)]; the reliance of his characters on prescription drugs (Schwartz, Pella, Affenlight); the mostly shattered relationships with fathers (Henry's, Pella's), and the lack of fatherly presence in general (Schwartz, Owen); etc.
Overall, The Art of Fielding is a good book written by a great writer....more
Entertaining, thought-provoking, wonderful. I didn't give it 5 stars because I didn't fall in love with the characters or get swept away into their joEntertaining, thought-provoking, wonderful. I didn't give it 5 stars because I didn't fall in love with the characters or get swept away into their journey and their world. The book is quite short, but it's fantastic....more
Loading...
