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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
Cringey at times, challenges the armchair do gooder. What does it mean to 'be good'?
reflective
sad
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
First of all, this is an impressive debut novel from such a young author. Secondly, I am from, and still live in, St. Louis, and it was very clear to me that Andrew Ridker not only spent some significant time here but also did a very good job of accurately describing this sometimes strange city.
This book’s cover is emblazoned with glowing blurbs from Nathan Hill (author of The Nix, which I loved) and Gary Shteyngart (whose work is genuinely funny). The latter described this book as “super-funny”, which is a shame, because it isn’t. That creates a false expectation about what’s to come, which, put simply, is another dysfunctional middle-class Jewish family story.
I enjoyed the beginning and the end, but it flounders in the middle. I almost abandoned it, but I am glad I didn’t.
All that said, Andrew Ridker shows real talent as an author and I’ll certainly read whatever he does next.
I enjoyed the beginning and the end, but it flounders in the middle. I almost abandoned it, but I am glad I didn’t.
All that said, Andrew Ridker shows real talent as an author and I’ll certainly read whatever he does next.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
I really enjoyed this story of the Alter family. The writing was sharp and sarcastically funny. I didn’t think Ridker could land this puppy, but he did to a surprisingly satisfying conclusion.
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I get that you’re supposed to dislike the characters but man. I also get this is supposed to be some kind of satire and social commentary but man. This is not poorly written by any means but I actually felt ill at multiple points? I can certainly appreciate it, but I can’t say I enjoyed it. 🙃
The way the characters all totally lack any self-awareness compensates for how annoying they are and makes this book charming and funny; I was rooting against each of the characters equally but still thought it was satisfying to read
Overall, this book was just okay.
I appreciated the dry humor to the book and found myself quietly chuckling at the sheer audacity of the Alter family. However, without a single likable character, I struggled to care about their story; thusly, making this a rough read to get through.
Instead of enjoying my time within the pages, I found myself counting down to the end.
I appreciated the dry humor to the book and found myself quietly chuckling at the sheer audacity of the Alter family. However, without a single likable character, I struggled to care about their story; thusly, making this a rough read to get through.
Instead of enjoying my time within the pages, I found myself counting down to the end.