Scan barcode
pineconek's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book primarily because of Kneller's Happy Campers (i.e. the basis for Wristcutters: A Love Story) and was delighted at the multitude of other satyrical, funny, and enchanting stories. Keret is a gem to read and writes with light, playful cynicism.
adelelane's review against another edition
4.0
A short book filled with short stories. Overall I really enjoyed it and it made me smile, especially with Kneller's Happy Campers.
With some stories I couldn't help feeling disappointed because I wanted to know what happened but Keret's style of writing makes up for that so I was content afterwards.
However there were some stories where it made me think for a while and how to have a different outlook to situations. It made me think for better reasons to improve how I already am, and Keret to do that in what, less than 6 paragraphs you can tell he has a talent which is very special.
So this mini novella of short stories was very a good read, and I'd definitely read it again without a doubt.
With some stories I couldn't help feeling disappointed because I wanted to know what happened but Keret's style of writing makes up for that so I was content afterwards.
However there were some stories where it made me think for a while and how to have a different outlook to situations. It made me think for better reasons to improve how I already am, and Keret to do that in what, less than 6 paragraphs you can tell he has a talent which is very special.
So this mini novella of short stories was very a good read, and I'd definitely read it again without a doubt.
amb3rlina's review against another edition
3.0
Highly anticipated after how much I loved his memoir, but I found it uneven and lacking. A few great stories, but also quite a few meh ones.
zombie_loves_books's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
sve100's review against another edition
4.0
Добър автор, добър преводач, добро оформление и добри истории. Какво повече да кажа? :)
Искам да прочета и други неща...
Искам да прочета и други неща...
scottp's review against another edition
4.0
Full of sweet and challenging reminders of the beauty and randomness of everyday life. Some of the stories weren’t for me, but the good ones overshadow the ones I didn’t like.
afield's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
marypmcg's review against another edition
3.0
It was very different. Here's a quick like/ dislike breakdown though, in case anyone is interested:
dislikes:
1. Some of the stories just ended abruptly. I think this is really Keret's style and it is intentional more than it is lazy. But a lot of times a story would be over and I would feel like, "...SO??"
2. Some of the language in the book sounds racist or homophobic. I don't think Keret himself is racist or homophobic, but he feels the need to portray a lot of "macho" guys in his stories, and it gets old.
likes:
1. The stories are very short. This makes the book go by at an enjoyable pace. It's like seeing several different snapshots. Like a frozen moment of a story, a painting of a story.
2. Keret creates some very unusual and clever situations and settings. One of my favorite stories (actually one of the longest, too) in the book is the last one, about the afterlife for people who commit suicide. It was very surreal and bizarre. And he rags on Kurt Cobain a little bit, who is a bit of a whiny bitch in the afterlife. This should surprise no one.
3. I find it interesting that Keret seems very Israeli. For example, the names he uses in his stories all sound very Israeli. And the fact that all citizens are required to spend some time in the military comes into play in almost every story. But not in a contrived way. Just as if being in the military is a fact of life. Everyone in the stories is in it or will be someday, or used to be, or knows someone who is.
other things:
1. This isn't a dislike of mine personally, but sometimes the stories seem really superficial. I think Keret has a bit of an existentialist element to his work. Some people aren't really into this, so it's more of a warning than a dislike of my own.
2. Keret's stories tend to be a bit on the dark side. Which is rather unsurprising, since the illustration on the cover shows a smiley cartoon character blowing his brains out. So, don't read this book if you're in the mood for something uplifting. It is humorous in its own way, and clever, but not exactly fun.
dislikes:
1. Some of the stories just ended abruptly. I think this is really Keret's style and it is intentional more than it is lazy. But a lot of times a story would be over and I would feel like, "...SO??"
2. Some of the language in the book sounds racist or homophobic. I don't think Keret himself is racist or homophobic, but he feels the need to portray a lot of "macho" guys in his stories, and it gets old.
likes:
1. The stories are very short. This makes the book go by at an enjoyable pace. It's like seeing several different snapshots. Like a frozen moment of a story, a painting of a story.
2. Keret creates some very unusual and clever situations and settings. One of my favorite stories (actually one of the longest, too) in the book is the last one, about the afterlife for people who commit suicide. It was very surreal and bizarre. And he rags on Kurt Cobain a little bit, who is a bit of a whiny bitch in the afterlife. This should surprise no one.
3. I find it interesting that Keret seems very Israeli. For example, the names he uses in his stories all sound very Israeli. And the fact that all citizens are required to spend some time in the military comes into play in almost every story. But not in a contrived way. Just as if being in the military is a fact of life. Everyone in the stories is in it or will be someday, or used to be, or knows someone who is.
other things:
1. This isn't a dislike of mine personally, but sometimes the stories seem really superficial. I think Keret has a bit of an existentialist element to his work. Some people aren't really into this, so it's more of a warning than a dislike of my own.
2. Keret's stories tend to be a bit on the dark side. Which is rather unsurprising, since the illustration on the cover shows a smiley cartoon character blowing his brains out. So, don't read this book if you're in the mood for something uplifting. It is humorous in its own way, and clever, but not exactly fun.