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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
funny
sad
medium-paced
Wow. I've never read anything like that. Very difficult to describe but I am very glad I read it. Undoubtedly, the most honest thing I've ever seen on paper. Reviews from others suggest it's polarizing, which doesn't surprise me, but I'm not sure I can predict who would love it versus hate it. I loved it.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
medium-paced
I want to read this book again but I'm kind of worried that I won't love it as much as I did when I was 19
The tone of the book annoyed me. It started out fine and then devolved into something that I had no desire to read. I get it's part of the author's "thing" but it wasn't mine.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when reading this book, except that I had high expectations that it would be well written and probably quite fun. I knew about Dave Eggers because of a column he used to write in the Guardian which I really enjoyed, and actually thought this was a novel. It was instead a deeply personal reflection on death and family, all written in a light, comedic and imaginative style that carried you through it's often sobering subject matter. I feel like I know Dave Eggers really well now, and that's a good thing.
I couldn't agree more with those who have said to stick with this book for the rewards are worth it.
I personally recommend reading this book after reading other Egger's writings as it gives great insight on his evolution.
I personally recommend reading this book after reading other Egger's writings as it gives great insight on his evolution.
I was into the first few chapters but after that I pretty much skimmed my way through the rest of the book. There's no character development to speak of it, which makes it impossible to care about these people, or even remember who they are. Case in point, I finished the book 5 min ago and still had to look up the main character's name on wikipedia (after 500 pages with these people!). Plus the focus on Gen X pop culture makes the entire book feel incredibly dated.....I pretty much gave up on it during the surreal, self obsessed (interminably long) Real World audition interview. Neither heartbreaking, nor staggering, nor genius it's Douglas Coupland with less heart.
Mixed thoughts on this -
By chance, I happen to be in a very similar place as the protagonist so this... novel/story/memoir was all too relevant in the beginning. The beginning had some traction and seemed to be building into a great story that never panned out. As the character arc grew for the protagonist, you begin to hate him... and he (Eggers) makes no attempt to hide or justify his poor decisions/character, however, this still does not make for an enjoying read.
I got immense pleasure from the preface/foreword/etc.
I would still be interested in reading more from Eggers, but this story seemed like a cry for attention; that we, the readers, owed him a second chance because of his childhood struggles. Not sure how I would have felt if it wasn't a true story.
By chance, I happen to be in a very similar place as the protagonist so this... novel/story/memoir was all too relevant in the beginning. The beginning had some traction and seemed to be building into a great story that never panned out. As the character arc grew for the protagonist, you begin to hate him... and he (Eggers) makes no attempt to hide or justify his poor decisions/character, however, this still does not make for an enjoying read.
I got immense pleasure from the preface/foreword/etc.
I would still be interested in reading more from Eggers, but this story seemed like a cry for attention; that we, the readers, owed him a second chance because of his childhood struggles. Not sure how I would have felt if it wasn't a true story.