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1.92 AVERAGE
1.92 AVERAGE
Um.
*Takes off glasses, rubs eyes, leans back in chair, offers a sympathetic smile.*
I’m more than cool with absurd story lines full of logic holes and main characters propped up by the righteousness of their own anger, especially if that anger is directed at capitalism and Trump.
But the writing.
For example: “Whenever he felt these collisions of incubus and succubus, he punched his way out of the proletariat with the purposeful inputting of covert codes, thereby drawing distraction through Scottsdale deployments, dodging the ambush of innocents astray, evading the viscount vogue of Viagratic assaults on virtual vaginas, or worse, falling passively into prosaic pastimes.”
(Translation: “To avoid thinking about sex or simply wasting time, Bob focused on work.”)
The entire book is written with this bombastic barrage of broadcasted bits, their cacophony cratering your contentment, insolency its illogical intent. I know, because I read all 160 pages. Generously, I wonder if this is Penn’s “voice” for Bob. If so, did NO ONE point out that death-by-alliteration-and-assonance does not equal personality?
I want to be able to say, at least, that “it was ok…” but it’s just not.
*Takes off glasses, rubs eyes, leans back in chair, offers a sympathetic smile.*
I’m more than cool with absurd story lines full of logic holes and main characters propped up by the righteousness of their own anger, especially if that anger is directed at capitalism and Trump.
But the writing.
For example: “Whenever he felt these collisions of incubus and succubus, he punched his way out of the proletariat with the purposeful inputting of covert codes, thereby drawing distraction through Scottsdale deployments, dodging the ambush of innocents astray, evading the viscount vogue of Viagratic assaults on virtual vaginas, or worse, falling passively into prosaic pastimes.”
(Translation: “To avoid thinking about sex or simply wasting time, Bob focused on work.”)
The entire book is written with this bombastic barrage of broadcasted bits, their cacophony cratering your contentment, insolency its illogical intent. I know, because I read all 160 pages. Generously, I wonder if this is Penn’s “voice” for Bob. If so, did NO ONE point out that death-by-alliteration-and-assonance does not equal personality?
I want to be able to say, at least, that “it was ok…” but it’s just not.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
For how short this was, it took me foreverrrrrr to get through.
It was fine. Sooo many alliterations. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it took away the meaning for me.
I don't know why the reviews for this are soooooo bad though. It wasn't amazing but it wasn't awful. If I was into more experimental/creative writing styles I would have enjoyed this more. But it was a totally fine story. All the footnotes were totally unnecessary for me though. Either say right away what your abbreviations are, or just don't use abbreviations at all. Don't explain them to me in a footnote. It got very old, very fast.
It was fine. Sooo many alliterations. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it took away the meaning for me.
I don't know why the reviews for this are soooooo bad though. It wasn't amazing but it wasn't awful. If I was into more experimental/creative writing styles I would have enjoyed this more. But it was a totally fine story. All the footnotes were totally unnecessary for me though. Either say right away what your abbreviations are, or just don't use abbreviations at all. Don't explain them to me in a footnote. It got very old, very fast.
This flags in its latter stages, where the alienated frenzy tips over into more of a self-loathing Democrat what-iffery (funnily enough, a failing he shares with our mutual hero, Phil Ochs: smart enough to see through it, but unable to escape it). But the frenzied writing of the first half is bracing and refreshing and - which you might not realise from all the 'give the alliteration a rest' one-star reviews - pretty technically accomplished, in a mad sort of way. I'd really like to hear an audiobook read by Tom Waits.
Sean Penn, you should stick to acting.
This book read like the political rambling of a 10th grader who thinks they have the makings of the next great American novel. Over use of alliteration, assonance, and platitudes? Check. Overly preachy with an "edgy" storyline that borders on the absurd? Check.
This book read like the political rambling of a 10th grader who thinks they have the makings of the next great American novel. Over use of alliteration, assonance, and platitudes? Check. Overly preachy with an "edgy" storyline that borders on the absurd? Check.
Honestly unsure why I powered through this book. It's extremely disjointed and nonsensical. The "author" (cough Sean Penn cough) goes off on random tangents that are cringe worthy, coupled with the multiple times pop culture ephemera were inserted into the story made the story unenjoyable.
This gem also happened in the reading:
"What are you doing?" the man said.
[female voice interrupts]
Translation from the Jew Speak to "What are you doing?"
That's not exactly how it happened but it's close enough. I get that maybe it's supposed to be funny or transgressive, but it's neither.
This gem also happened in the reading:
"What are you doing?" the man said.
[female voice interrupts]
Translation from the Jew Speak to "What are you doing?"
That's not exactly how it happened but it's close enough. I get that maybe it's supposed to be funny or transgressive, but it's neither.
Oh, dear. A strange, rambling mess of a political protest disguised as an attempt of a novel.
Great narration with interesting writing. Story was bizarre.
I read this book because it was short, promoted on Bill Maher, and narrated on audible by Sean Penn. It starts as a story of a recluse named Bob Honey, whose job is cleaning septic tanks. We get a glimpse into his strange mind and ultimately the book hints at his fears and apprehensions for the upcoming (2016) election. This is supposed to be a political allegory of this election cycle, but I didn't quite see the strong connection.
After researching this book further, it seems like there is a conspiracy theory out there that Sean Penn may be the actual author of the book. Although he claims to have gotten the manuscript from Pappy Pariah, no one has been able to reach Pariah or confirm his identity yet....
After researching this book further, it seems like there is a conspiracy theory out there that Sean Penn may be the actual author of the book. Although he claims to have gotten the manuscript from Pappy Pariah, no one has been able to reach Pariah or confirm his identity yet....