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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
as far as first sentences go, this is the best one i've ever read. i was in the library last week and saw a tattered sad looking copy of this book and decided that i simply must re-read it now. it's even better the second time. it gets another star...
I could probably make it through this book, but over 100 pages in, I just think, Why bother?
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A twentysomething kid from Wisconsin, along with a friend, travels across the world to give away money and cope with the death of his brother. Inconsistent overall. Eggers composed some great passages, but these were interspersed with some awfully preachy writing that I found unappealing. The character were so, so naive. Without the brother subplot to provide some much-needed heft to the story, this would have been a bad road-trip novel. Overall, though, I still liked the book.
This is Dave Eggers first novel, following his memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. A bit caustic at times, this novel is mostly a funny portrayal of the narrating character and his friend, Hand, as they travel the world trying to give away money that they received at the death of their friend.
Refreshingly self-deprecating, the narrating character often recognizes the absolute stupidity of their efforts. This is an entertaining read with great descriptions of what it is like to travel to other countries when you have no idea what to expect, and you have not time to try to figure things out.
Refreshingly self-deprecating, the narrating character often recognizes the absolute stupidity of their efforts. This is an entertaining read with great descriptions of what it is like to travel to other countries when you have no idea what to expect, and you have not time to try to figure things out.
This is the third book I have read by Dave Eggers (not counting "The Best American Nonrequired Reading" series he edits) and it just continues to prove why he is one of my favorite authors writing today. His books are about people and the human condition summed up in beautiful prose and creative, heartbreaking stories. But that's all I can say without spoilers.
*SPOILERS BELOW*
I loved this book mostly because nothing works out the way Will and Hand plan. And that's life. You plan on a lot of things that don't happen and you sometimes a lot of things you don't plan happen and all make for a great story. The only thing that confuses me is the way Eggers chose to tell this story. I loved this book, was devouring it whole, until Hand's chapter. Then I just felt confused and duped. Not in a Gone Girl way, but it a "why is this happening?" way. The story is great and sad and interesting without the added "twist" about whether or not Will is a reliable narrator. Are we ever truly reliable narrators when telling our own stories? Don't we want our lives to be more interesting, have more meaning, serve a higher purpose sometimes? Is that the point of all this? This strange middle part just made me think of one of my favorite quotes from another great book, The Catcher in the Rye "What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it." I would love to talk to Eggers, ask him why he made that choice and what it means.
I thought Hand's chapter would change how I read the rest of Will's story, but besides registering that it didn't really change how I felt overall. I still loved the story and the journey and the unconventional places they went (that I now want to visit). I still felt moved. And that is the beauty of Dave Eggers. I can't wait to see what else he's got.
"The futility of the time in-between. Every drive to every airport in the world was ugly, line with the backsides of the most despondent of homes, and every hotel lobby underlined our sloth and mortality."
"...statis is itself is criminal for those with the means to move, and the means to weave communion between people."
*SPOILERS BELOW*
I loved this book mostly because nothing works out the way Will and Hand plan. And that's life. You plan on a lot of things that don't happen and you sometimes a lot of things you don't plan happen and all make for a great story. The only thing that confuses me is the way Eggers chose to tell this story. I loved this book, was devouring it whole, until Hand's chapter. Then I just felt confused and duped. Not in a Gone Girl way, but it a "why is this happening?" way. The story is great and sad and interesting without the added "twist" about whether or not Will is a reliable narrator. Are we ever truly reliable narrators when telling our own stories? Don't we want our lives to be more interesting, have more meaning, serve a higher purpose sometimes? Is that the point of all this? This strange middle part just made me think of one of my favorite quotes from another great book, The Catcher in the Rye "What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it." I would love to talk to Eggers, ask him why he made that choice and what it means.
I thought Hand's chapter would change how I read the rest of Will's story, but besides registering that
Spoiler
there is no Jack and his mom is already dead"The futility of the time in-between. Every drive to every airport in the world was ugly, line with the backsides of the most despondent of homes, and every hotel lobby underlined our sloth and mortality."
"...statis is itself is criminal for those with the means to move, and the means to weave communion between people."
Now I remember exactly how I felt when I read A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius at the age of 19. Eggers' skill in creating sentences that fit together in exactly the same way your own thoughts flow through your brain is undeniable. This book made me feel sad, happy, confused, united, disturbed and inspired all at the same time. I kind of have to be in the mood to read him, but Eggers really is one of the stand-out authors of this century.
The book just didn't seem to be going anywhere, and I didn't really like the main 2 characters.
Mmm, I dunno. I was exhausted with this by around the 30% mark, and then it just went on with one hare-brained adventure after another. I’m not saying it wasn’t entertaining – it was, and Eggers has a killer knack for turns of phrase. But I just found myself exasperated with the main characters and their death wish-fulfilment escapades. It reminded me of the one Pynchon I’ve read, [b:Inherent Vice|5933841|Inherent Vice|Thomas Pynchon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347697574s/5933841.jpg|6151926], which is probably high praise.