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2.59 AVERAGE
2.59 AVERAGE
This book needed George Clooney to make it more interesting. Read my review here:
http://mariesbookgarden.blogspot.com/2011/01/up-in-air-seriously-lacking-george.html
http://mariesbookgarden.blogspot.com/2011/01/up-in-air-seriously-lacking-george.html
A fun book to read, especially during a time when I was flying a lot (cliched, I know). But this is definitely a case where I preferred the movie.
I still want to spend my life in the air and in airports, just nowhere near these people.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you're like me, you may have heard first only of the film adaptation of "Up In The Air." And if you're like most of us, you may have expected the movie to closely mirror the written original. Please know going in, this book is an utterly different experience than the movie.
Some insightful comments below point out that the movie, released in 2009, was molded to speak to the times: economic crisis, uncertainty, and insecurity, all with that mainstream feel of a witty, romantic comedy. Published in 2001, the book had no such context and instead should stand on its own.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. "Thoroughly" meaning, something solidly good to be found on nearly every page. It reads quickly in concise, declarative sentences. I frequently found myself eagerly eating up a paragraph only to pause abruptly to revisit a beautifully witty line, a wry observation of the universe, or a wonderfully crafted sentence. This happened often, to the pleasure of my underlining-and-note-taking hand.
The narrator, Ryan Bingham, is a fantastically intelligent and neurotic fellow. He reminds me of a Holden Caulfield set in modern day "AirWorld," on a strange journey towards something seemingly pointless. Similar to The Catcher in the Rye, you sometimes wonder where the plot is taking you... yet he's quite entertaining to tag along with.
I also read most of this book while traveling, likely heightening my enjoyment of it through its commentary on the nuances of airfare, hotel rooms, strangers and relationships. Though I would probably recommend this book selectively to those who enjoy a dark and clever sense of humor, I give it high ratings overall.
Some insightful comments below point out that the movie, released in 2009, was molded to speak to the times: economic crisis, uncertainty, and insecurity, all with that mainstream feel of a witty, romantic comedy. Published in 2001, the book had no such context and instead should stand on its own.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. "Thoroughly" meaning, something solidly good to be found on nearly every page. It reads quickly in concise, declarative sentences. I frequently found myself eagerly eating up a paragraph only to pause abruptly to revisit a beautifully witty line, a wry observation of the universe, or a wonderfully crafted sentence. This happened often, to the pleasure of my underlining-and-note-taking hand.
The narrator, Ryan Bingham, is a fantastically intelligent and neurotic fellow. He reminds me of a Holden Caulfield set in modern day "AirWorld," on a strange journey towards something seemingly pointless. Similar to The Catcher in the Rye, you sometimes wonder where the plot is taking you... yet he's quite entertaining to tag along with.
I also read most of this book while traveling, likely heightening my enjoyment of it through its commentary on the nuances of airfare, hotel rooms, strangers and relationships. Though I would probably recommend this book selectively to those who enjoy a dark and clever sense of humor, I give it high ratings overall.
I was a huge fan of this movie.
I'm not a fan of folks who compare movies to books. Especially those who self righteously lecture about how much better the book was than the movie.
The book is different. Know that up front. It focuses a lot more on Ryan's career ambitions and uses a totally different timeline to set the story.
I have to identify with the Ryan's professional frustrations. As for his personal life, there's a lot he's not saying. He's not crazy, but he's off.
Again, one of my favorite things is this is a good commute read. Usually I find novels terrible to read on the bus, but this one worked for some reason.
I'm not a fan of folks who compare movies to books. Especially those who self righteously lecture about how much better the book was than the movie.
The book is different. Know that up front. It focuses a lot more on Ryan's career ambitions and uses a totally different timeline to set the story.
I have to identify with the Ryan's professional frustrations. As for his personal life, there's a lot he's not saying. He's not crazy, but he's off.
Again, one of my favorite things is this is a good commute read. Usually I find novels terrible to read on the bus, but this one worked for some reason.
Don't read this expecting the same story as the movie. None of the female characters from the movie exist in the book. Ryan Bingham doesn't even make it to his sister's wedding in the book. Strange ending.
2.5 I look forward to re-watching the movie, because I know I really liked the movie. The book is not interesting. It isn't awful either, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it.
What is better than this book? Getting teeth pulled.
I was bored to tears with this and I just couldn't bring myself to finish it, I just felt like I was wasting my time. Too bad, I was really hoping this book would be great.
I was bored to tears with this and I just couldn't bring myself to finish it, I just felt like I was wasting my time. Too bad, I was really hoping this book would be great.
I really enjoy Kirn's profile of Ryan, but the book started to drag a bit for me towards the end.