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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this short story collection. One of Simon Rich’s better collections in my opinion. I enjoyed the focus on making choices and fixing mistakes throughout this book.
The Mario story was my favorite.
The Mario story was my favorite.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Funny, thought-provoking short stories. The first half was memorable but the second half kind of ran together.
I was shocked at how quickly this one flew by. Left craving more. Mulaney gave a great audio performance and Rich is as poignant as ever. I really enjoyed this.
I listened to the audiobook, read by John Mulaney, and I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much in print (though there were a few moments in the audio that were perhaps a bit overdone). These stories are humorous, often absurdist, almost-fables. It started off strong with two of my favorite stories in the bunch. "History Report" follows a grandson writing a history report about his grandfather. Set in the near future, the grandson is reporting back on a "before times" that feels strange and old-fashioned in the near future world in which the grandson lives. "Mario" follows the video game character approaching middle-age and wondering whether the princess-rescuing role is still for him. Other favorites include "We're Not So Different, You and I", "Participation Trophy", "Goliath", and "Thanksgiving Rider."
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I really enjoyed four of these stories but the remaining ones didn’t land for me. The first one is great as are the closing ones, which are all largely (I would imagine) taken from the author’s life and experiences. The one experimental one I really liked was the take on the creation story from the Bible - might have been my favorite.
funny
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A