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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
my first exposure to this author's work and I really enjoyed it. In some ways it reminded me of Mark Haddon's family dramas, but way more extreme, although Homes' skill is as we pass seamlessly from each major event to the next, that it is highly credible and the awfulness of the event isn't overpowering, but seems utterly logical. It has a wide cast of characters who are each beautifully drawn, other than the narrator himself who remains a bit under-exposed, except for his intriguing obsession with Nixon and some unlikely sex magnet attributes in this middle-aged Mr average, which I spose spoke more of the desperation of the women who threw themselves at him.
I would definitely read her other books.
I would definitely read her other books.
This book was easily 160 pages too long. Started off well. Very Woody Allen esque. Then there was so much circling and inane unnecessary detail that I got bored.
There are so many layers to this book: family dysfunction; growth, change, and hope; effed up personal relationships; fulfilling obligations; coming of age; a dash of religion; avoidance; a little bit of adventure; some ridiculousness; and more, with a hint of Wally Lamb's "I Know This Much Is True" and Jonathan Tropper's dark humor in the midst of dysfunction. I felt that there were some parts that could have been eliminated completely without any detriment to the story. For that reason, I give it a 3.5/5.
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The opening chapters grabbed me. Then midway through the book, I wondered if I wanted to finish it as I was so annoyed with the main character. So glad I did finish it. I recommend it to others and am interested in reading more fiction by AM Homes.
This book kind of grew on me. I put it down for a while to read something else and thought that I might not finish it, but picked it up again. I like A.M. Homes' writing because she is fearless about documenting weird, perverted, unflattering impulses and this book definitely does that. The story feels a little like a movie script and clearly Don Delillo is an influence (and has a cameo!). Glad I decided to finish it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book starts with a bang featuring a series of seriously dark events which leave our main character Harold Silver bereaved, divorced, jobless, with power of attorney for his now imprisoned brother and guardianship of his two kids. The book becomes incredibly heartwarming as Harry cares for and gets to know his niece and nephew, takes under his wing and tries to foster the child orphaned by his brother’s actions, picks up a few more strays and holds a very charitable, and very expensive sounding bar mitzvah in South Africa. This is 4.5 for me, would have been 5 if it wasn’t for some of the Nixon fiction passages. Over all great book, would highly recommend and will be reading more A M Holmes.
A very memorable book. There are bits that are simply bat-shit crazy, but that's expected from an A.M. Homes book.