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pignash's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. I don't have any sort of OCD but Dicks paints such a clear picture of what is going on in Milo's head that I was completely engrossed by his struggle.
It's also really funny, and that can't be underestimated.
Highly recommended!
It's also really funny, and that can't be underestimated.
Highly recommended!
sharonfalduto's review
3.0
Milo, whose wife has asked for a temporary separation, has moved into an apartment. He finds a video camera and a series of tapes which change his life, as he attempts to locate their owner. Milo also suffers from a form of OCD which places demands on him to do such things as "open a series of jelly jars" or "hear a word spoken in natural conversation" or "bowl a strike." He tries very hard to seem normal.
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
3.0
This is an incredibly sweet book about a decent man with some OCD who spends way too much time hiding his impulses.
farkle's review against another edition
4.0
How much do we really know about anyone? A revealing look at many secrets kept hidden in the effort to be our best selves and those willing to share and show all their "flaws" because they are their true selves.
lsloan84's review against another edition
3.0
I read this after reading "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" which I absolutely loved. My high expectations probably didn't help this rating. I liked this book, but didn't love the characters as much. This had a cute and satisfying ending, but I kind of felt the build up to the action was too long.
jennutley's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this one up because "Daily Candy" told me it would make me "laugh out loud" and "never put it down." A pretty strong endorsement.
But I don't remember laughing out loud once and it took me more than a week to read which is never a good sign. That said, there were some really good things about this one. There are some interesting characters that do some not-so-ordinary things. One of my favorites is a main character who only appears on videotape as she confesses to all the terrible things she has done in her life--kind of reminded me of a darker version of Chunk's confessional from The Goonies. And who didn't, at some point, wish that the ending to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid turned out a bit differently?
My favorite thing about the book was that the author didn't take the cliched and easy way out to end the book. Instead, he gave it some real thought and had the book end the way it should with our hero in probably the very best place for him and his messed-up, little life.
So Unexpectedly, Milo has a mystery, a failed marriage, a road trip, a hero with OCD, and an interesting cast of characters with fun things to think about. Not long lasting but a solid three star diversion.
But I don't remember laughing out loud once and it took me more than a week to read which is never a good sign. That said, there were some really good things about this one. There are some interesting characters that do some not-so-ordinary things. One of my favorites is a main character who only appears on videotape as she confesses to all the terrible things she has done in her life--kind of reminded me of a darker version of Chunk's confessional from The Goonies. And who didn't, at some point, wish that the ending to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid turned out a bit differently?
My favorite thing about the book was that the author didn't take the cliched and easy way out to end the book. Instead, he gave it some real thought and had the book end the way it should with our hero in probably the very best place for him and his messed-up, little life.
So Unexpectedly, Milo has a mystery, a failed marriage, a road trip, a hero with OCD, and an interesting cast of characters with fun things to think about. Not long lasting but a solid three star diversion.
anrobe's review against another edition
Although I loved 'Something Missing', I could just never get into this one. I REALLY wanted to because it had such an interesting premise and I adore Matthew Dicks. But, I just couldn't force myself to keep reading it. maybe I'll revisit it again later and hope that my perspective has changed enough that I'll enjoy it. But, for now, I'm letting it go ...
readsinbed's review against another edition
4.0
Matthew Dicks writes fantastically intriguing characters. I was extremely taken with his first novel, Something Missing. Unexpectedly, Milo was also a great story (though not quite as amazing as his first). It had enough twists and turns as to keep it exciting and not predictable. As I said before, the characters are endearing, strange, sometimes annoying, and always funny and genuine. I can't wait to see what he will come up with next!
ginabeirne's review against another edition
4.0
We all have our quirks, but Milo has more than anyone I know (including myself).
sandyd's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting story about a 30-something guy who has been hiding his compulsions - not typical OCD type compulsions, but more sensory-seeking ones - from everyone for most of his life. His marriage is suffering, and his discovery of a video diary on tapes - abandoned on a park bench - propels him into a road trip that changes his life.
The compulsions are hilarious, actually (one of the most common ones is his need to open a jar of jelly. Milo has a stash of unopened grape Smucker's in his trunk for emergencies), though the book doesn't mock them at all. It reminds me of Jessica Thom's approach to her tics in "Welcome to Biscuitland".
I'll definitely read more by Dicks.
The compulsions are hilarious, actually (one of the most common ones is his need to open a jar of jelly. Milo has a stash of unopened grape Smucker's in his trunk for emergencies), though the book doesn't mock them at all. It reminds me of Jessica Thom's approach to her tics in "Welcome to Biscuitland".
I'll definitely read more by Dicks.