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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
A strangely-believable look at how unlikely groups of people become family. (Or, more obviously, what it means to be family.) It's as though the main character always said "yes" when confronted with the possibility of allowing others into his life, and it was interesting (if not moving) to watch the results.
This story opens Thanksgiving day and closes a year later on the same day. In a year the life of Harold Silver changes in ways hard to explain.
The story begins with Harold's brother George, the high-earning TV executive, plowing his car into another leaving two dead and an orphaned child. A few pages later, George murders his wife, when he breaks out of a hospital psych ward, makes his way home - his green hospital gown flapping in the wind - to find his wife in bed with brother Harold.
Harold narrates Franzen-like tale of life in the suburbs that pokes fun at modern American life - healthcare, education, prison, politics - nothing is off limits and nothing is too far-out. At one point Harold is playing laser-tag with the swinger's club; another he's accused of participating in an international arms deal gone bad. There's even cameo appearances by hysterical-realism grandfather, Don DeLillo.
In the end, Harold moves from his gray, drab life to one that is full, meaningful, and quite colorful. The story is hilarious, and full of out-there behaviors by each of the characters who move into Harold's life.
The story begins with Harold's brother George, the high-earning TV executive, plowing his car into another leaving two dead and an orphaned child. A few pages later, George murders his wife, when he breaks out of a hospital psych ward, makes his way home - his green hospital gown flapping in the wind - to find his wife in bed with brother Harold.
Harold narrates Franzen-like tale of life in the suburbs that pokes fun at modern American life - healthcare, education, prison, politics - nothing is off limits and nothing is too far-out. At one point Harold is playing laser-tag with the swinger's club; another he's accused of participating in an international arms deal gone bad. There's even cameo appearances by hysterical-realism grandfather, Don DeLillo.
In the end, Harold moves from his gray, drab life to one that is full, meaningful, and quite colorful. The story is hilarious, and full of out-there behaviors by each of the characters who move into Harold's life.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i have nothing to say. this book started strong and then dragged me through the mud. i did not enjoy myself
I don't know what she is trying to do with this book, but whatever it was was completely lost on me. I was still kind of with her until around page 300, then came yet another nonsensical twist and I knew I wasn't going to be won over again. Still finished it, but honestly I'm still not sure how serious or satirical this is meant to be, but either way it's a total misfire for me.
Really great read. Not at all what I expected. Somewhat like Franzen's style. It kept me engaged through the whole book!
I really enjoyed how unlike anything I've ever read this book is. I've never read a book that's description makes me (for liking it) sound like such a nut job!
The book takes place in the span of one year; Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving to be exact. The book follows the tragic hero through a series of mistakes that snowball, changing his life and those around him for the worse. Someone dies, someone goes to jail, 3 are orphaned all because of this guy...who you love...and who is so pathetically hilarious without ever meaning to be so.
I'd recommend this book to friends who can go with the flow while reading. I wanted to quit it a few times, or more accurately, wanted to quit HIM a few times but if you feel this way remember the title and consider this is maybe an intentional feeling from the author or a natural part of the path to redemption. Plus, it has a well-written ending worth holding out for.
The book takes place in the span of one year; Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving to be exact. The book follows the tragic hero through a series of mistakes that snowball, changing his life and those around him for the worse. Someone dies, someone goes to jail, 3 are orphaned all because of this guy...who you love...and who is so pathetically hilarious without ever meaning to be so.
I'd recommend this book to friends who can go with the flow while reading. I wanted to quit it a few times, or more accurately, wanted to quit HIM a few times but if you feel this way remember the title and consider this is maybe an intentional feeling from the author or a natural part of the path to redemption. Plus, it has a well-written ending worth holding out for.
A fast-paced black comedy featuring one of the more dysfunctional families imaginable. While the beginning is effective, the shock factor wears out by the book's last third, and we're left with implausible situations that feel a little too quirky-for-the-sake-of-being quirky. Still, a worthwhile read for the hilarious Nixon parallels and the commentary on academia/youth culture.