Reviews

The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter

rsoccer70's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I chose this book b/c I liked a short story by this author which I listened to on Audible. The audiobook version of this short novel was first person and read by the author. When the author has the ability to read/perform well, I think it adds a depth to the overall experience. I related to the middle-aged dad who finds himself financially and relationally over his head during the 2008 "Great Recession." His solution to what ails him is over the top, yet mostly believable. And it's darkly humorous as he gets exponentially further over his head. I like how endearing the characters were - even the antagonists in the story. And I'm a sucker for a redemption story where the protagonist learns and grows to be a better person. 

bywell's review

3.0

Pace a little slow and predictable but well written and hard to not love.

jess_mango's review

3.0

3.5 out of 5 stars.

First off: Think of the TV shows Weeds and Breaking Bad. Now that you are thinking of those shows, what is it that they have in common? That's right: they both follow the misadventures of formerly law-abiding middle class folks who find themselves in dire financial straits and decide to become drug dealers to make some quick money.

Well, this novel has a similar plotline. In this novel, the protaganist is Matt, a former financial reporter who quit his job to start a website that combines, of all things, poetry and finance news. well, shockingly, the website doesn't lead to wealth and in order to pay off his massive debts Matt attempts to sell pot.

The book was well-written and was laced with dark humor. However the book fell a little flat for me. I wasn't compelled to stay up late at night to finish reading this one.

lovegriefandgender's review

challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

a_gillie's review

emotional funny inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was an engaging and genuinely hilarious book. Like all great comedy, however, it has a weight of pathos grounding it. Our narrator’s almost stream-of-consciousness makes the book move quickly, but there are also frequent dwellings of a philosophical and political nature. 
What is ostensibly a story about a desperate man turning to dealing drugs, subtly becomes a manifesto of sorts; a critique of consumer capitalism, a study in marriage, an exploration of middle-class dissatisfaction. 
This was the first book of Jess Walter’s that I’ve read and I can confidently say I’ll be reading more. Thoroughly enjoyed! 

sbienkowski's review

funny hopeful relaxing

4.0

asurasantosha's review

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

dobbydoo22's review

3.0

I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as 'Beautiful Ruins', but it wasn't bad.

lisawhelpley's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. Quick read and great characters. The story kind of raced along.

tictactoney's review

funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book is....fine? It's fine. Some reeeeeally good insights on the culture & financial collapse in 2008. Heck, I would've thought it was written a few years after the collapse with some thought and retrospection but nah it came out 2009. There's some genuinely insightful stuff in here. And real hilarity. Sometimes both, like comparing an encounter with the cops to car salesmen. But also in so many ways it fell flat. Like many other reviews in here, I agree the last third of the book just didn't stick the landing. The poetry bits were...skippable. Way too many paragraphs spent with Matt ogling women (EYE ROLL). It's fine. The book is...fine.