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badoerr's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
williameldon's review against another edition
4.0
This is fantastically depressing and uplifting at the same time. Mostly depressing. The bad things and choices keep coming to our narrator, Ryan, and he never seems to catch a break. There is something very relatable within this story that kept me riveted and reading, and pondering the choices and events that led up to where he is in the story. He sludges through life, always referring to a writing career (which may be his one big passion) but never seeming to obtain it or get to the point. We spend the story waiting to see if Ryan bottoms out, or if something miraculous will happen to turn events around. Will he find it in himself to better things? Does he want that? They are all questions that roll around in my head after finishing. It is impossible to dislike Ryan at all and you root for him, but also are aware that this is no fantasy land. Or maybe it is, and the answers are within Dr. Godwater's mysterious water well...
mrfrank's review against another edition
4.0
Andersen Prunty's FAILURE AS A WAY OF LIFE is the type of book that (hopefully) makes you say, at least that isn't me! I enjoyed this almost-too-depressing to enjoy book. Though the main characters life is in shambles and he can't seem to get out of his own way despite himself, he is still an interesting character that, for some God forsaken reason, you are compelled to keep rooting for.
I'd read one other Prunty book that I didn't care much for, this book was a vastly different experience. I suppose Prunty has a penchant for being experimental with his writing. This was less so in form and so I found the narrative easier to enjoy. Enjoyment is a hard word to use because the story can be so depressing and the brilliance of the whole thing is that it somehow manages to keep you from slitting your wrists before you get to the end.
FAILURE AS A WAY OF LIFE is not only a great piece of fiction but exemplary of the type of work I've come to enjoy from Atlatl Press. Character driven, intriguing and very real personalities fill the pages. Delightfully quirky even if they are somewhat depressing. I hope to read more Prunty along these lines in the future.
I'd read one other Prunty book that I didn't care much for, this book was a vastly different experience. I suppose Prunty has a penchant for being experimental with his writing. This was less so in form and so I found the narrative easier to enjoy. Enjoyment is a hard word to use because the story can be so depressing and the brilliance of the whole thing is that it somehow manages to keep you from slitting your wrists before you get to the end.
FAILURE AS A WAY OF LIFE is not only a great piece of fiction but exemplary of the type of work I've come to enjoy from Atlatl Press. Character driven, intriguing and very real personalities fill the pages. Delightfully quirky even if they are somewhat depressing. I hope to read more Prunty along these lines in the future.
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