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phantomsuitcase's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jjayld's review against another edition
2.0
Self obsessed rants... I left the bar because I found his rants boring and claustrophobic
srpraveen's review against another edition
3.0
An entire plot set around a single stand up comedy act probably made me pick this up. Yet, blurbs can be deceiving, and it is not quite bad always to be deceived. There is hardly anything remotely funny here, except the few namesake jokes that the 57-year old comedian Dovaleh throws at the audience who have gathered at a club in the Israeli town of Netanya.
It is otherwise an act where the comedian unravels himself, slowly peeling himself like an onion, and placing him and his deepest secrets before the audience. And witnessing this somewhat tragic act is the narrator, retired judge Avishai Lazar, and another woman, both of whom knew him in his childhood, days during which he used to walk on hands, tracing paths as in chess boards.
The 200 odd pages can be deceiving too, for it is no page turner. The reader's plight at times is similar to that of the audience in the club, wondering where he is taking us and searching desperately for what was promised - a night of fun. As it happens in the story, where some people walk out mid way through the show, some might stop this mid-way. But, curiosity might keep others at it. The comedian, on this day (the day which becomes the book), chooses to explore the pain and the untold stories that lies behind the laughs. But, did he make up that, to string together a story to last the evening, or did it all happen for real? Read to find out.
It is otherwise an act where the comedian unravels himself, slowly peeling himself like an onion, and placing him and his deepest secrets before the audience. And witnessing this somewhat tragic act is the narrator, retired judge Avishai Lazar, and another woman, both of whom knew him in his childhood, days during which he used to walk on hands, tracing paths as in chess boards.
The 200 odd pages can be deceiving too, for it is no page turner. The reader's plight at times is similar to that of the audience in the club, wondering where he is taking us and searching desperately for what was promised - a night of fun. As it happens in the story, where some people walk out mid way through the show, some might stop this mid-way. But, curiosity might keep others at it. The comedian, on this day (the day which becomes the book), chooses to explore the pain and the untold stories that lies behind the laughs. But, did he make up that, to string together a story to last the evening, or did it all happen for real? Read to find out.
leac's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lene111's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Child abuse
agahlaut's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
director_lydon's review against another edition
1.0
To Mr. Grossman's credit, I'm pressed to think of a more difficult art to replicate in literature than stand-up comedy. His conception of the show as a delicate tightrope act between spectator and performer is apt, to which anybody who's seen someone bomb onstage can attest. And indeed this terse-yet-dense story essentially amounts to a 190-page bum gig that devolves into a psychological implosion flavored with an infusion of Kafkaeque guilt. That said, the insights one might glean from gazing at the wreckage were completely absent for me. The only observation Grossman seems to stand firmly behind is that a traditionally lighthearted pasttime can serve, paradoxically, as an ideal medium to explore our bleakest memories. It's true, but hardly groundbreaking. I'm very open to the notion that, between the novel's fluid structure and cultural nuance, I'm overlooking crucial subtext. But, like in comedy, not much can be done if you just don't get the punchline.
knituknot's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amyredgreen's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about watching a so-so comedian’s standup act. It’s sort of funny, sort of boring, and mostly painful. So, yeah, you got it.
yoohoo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is a window into Israeli post holocaust society, and without understanding that you cannot fully comprehend the story. It's told in a smart, witty manner, with some unfunny jokes in between, and if you're looking for an essay lighthearted read you're in the wrong place. I felt immersed into the story, as if I was there during Dovalehs show. Grossman's writing is amazing, truly bringing the characters and the story to life. It's reflective, makes you think, and leaves just enough open ends to keep you wondering on some things. I recommend reading this in a book club so that you can discuss it with someone. Also, if you enjoyed this novel I suggest the show "Bojack Horseman", I felt they were quite similar in many ways - and vice versa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt