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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.
kahlloria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Infidelity, and Drug use
kishka's review
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ericfheiman's review
3.0
This is my first Jess Walter experience and there's no denying the talent and skill at play here. Financial Lives a funny, well-observed novel. But after a really strong start that deftly balances humor and social critique, the last half to 2/3 of the book—though immensely readable—never regains that energizing jolt of the first few chapters. I'm hoping the more recent and much-hyped Beautiful Ruins is better.
pierceinverarity's review
4.0
Jess Walter is great, and this is no exception. The jacket blurbs from Richard Russo, Sarah Vowell and Sam Lipsyte are well-deserved.
This is not my favorite of his last three books ("The Zero" and "Citizen Vince" being the other two), but it is nonetheless very good. My only gripe is with the poetry conceit noted in the title. If you read it you'll see what I mean, but don't be deterred from reading just because of that.
This is not my favorite of his last three books ("The Zero" and "Citizen Vince" being the other two), but it is nonetheless very good. My only gripe is with the poetry conceit noted in the title. If you read it you'll see what I mean, but don't be deterred from reading just because of that.
battlekitty's review
Bin nicht rein gekommen, es schwankte zwischen Selbstmitleid und lustig
bethtmorris's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this book (was surprised since i can't care for beautiful ruins). Loved the Breaking Bad concept, and I found myself laughing out loud a bunch. My favorite part was the 'clacker' incident.