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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
By posing for a picture with a lightbulb, Will has earned $80,000. At about the same time, Will and Hand's good friend Jack dies in a horrifying car accident. Traumatized by the accident and disturbed by the cash windfall, they decide the only recourse it to travel the world in one week and give the money to poor people. They have no plan, and their travel is dictated by flight availability, winds in Greenland, visas, and their ability (or inability) to get to the airport in time.
Unfortunately, this wacky premise is less wacky fun, and more unbearable anxiety, stress and despair. Eggers is one of my favorite writers, and in this case I still think that the writing and storyline are sound. Will mostly is so depressed and anxious that it rubs off on the reader. For balance, I could have really used some dark humor (which I think Eggers is excellent at in other works) to offset the spiraling descent. There are so many good things about this book, including the storyline, characters, and graphic elements. I wanted to like this more, but really had to make myself finish this in the end.
Unfortunately, this wacky premise is less wacky fun, and more unbearable anxiety, stress and despair. Eggers is one of my favorite writers, and in this case I still think that the writing and storyline are sound. Will mostly is so depressed and anxious that it rubs off on the reader. For balance, I could have really used some dark humor (which I think Eggers is excellent at in other works) to offset the spiraling descent. There are so many good things about this book, including the storyline, characters, and graphic elements. I wanted to like this more, but really had to make myself finish this in the end.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh I loved this book! It was just very well written. Or maybe I should say, the writing style was just entirely my thing. It just felt so real. The main character had so many relatable trains of thought while at other times he’d have me thinking “What an asshole!” He was a very real person going through very real things. Wonderful. Also, the two main characters had me laughing out loud so many times. Their chemistry was great to read.
Also, roadtrip/travel stories are just always fun!
Lastly, this is one of those stories that makes you think and if there’s anything I love about stories, it’s when they make you think. It was a brilliant ride, this one.
Also, roadtrip/travel stories are just always fun!
Lastly, this is one of those stories that makes you think and if there’s anything I love about stories, it’s when they make you think. It was a brilliant ride, this one.
I am still reviewing my notes for this book but here it goes:
I had read this book back in 2014 and apparently I read it and forgot it. Because the second time around, I feel like this book has seared into my brain for many reasons.
The millennial burnout, the loss of a friend, white privilege, everything and anything was so spot on in this book.
I will write more about it probably on my blog but I just wanted to write that I liked it and it should be read.
I had read this book back in 2014 and apparently I read it and forgot it. Because the second time around, I feel like this book has seared into my brain for many reasons.
The millennial burnout, the loss of a friend, white privilege, everything and anything was so spot on in this book.
I will write more about it probably on my blog but I just wanted to write that I liked it and it should be read.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read the reviews that compared this book to ON THE ROAD and CATCHER IN THE RYE. I see the connections, but Eggers is doing more and less than these books. I don't think he was really trying to chronicle his generation as Keroauc was, and I think he was reaching for that same survivor guilt I see in Holden's behavior. Knowing the tragedies in Eggers's life, I can ache with Will when he finally has to slow down enough for grief to ambush him. He and Hand, his friend, are trying to outrun the reality of their new life -- a life that no longer includes their friend Jack.
There are funny scenes, touching scenes, frustrating scenes. But at heart, Eggers loves life and he cherishes it, I believe. I wanted more, more epiphany -- more self awareness. I wanted the two to help each other, to talk about their feelings (oh, yeah! Guys don't do that, do they??). I wanted more than that farewell handshake as Will and Hand end their misguided attempt to circle the globe and give away thousands of dollars.
I wanted Will to figure out how to begin living the rest of his life...but the first page hints that there isn't more time for him.
There are funny scenes, touching scenes, frustrating scenes. But at heart, Eggers loves life and he cherishes it, I believe. I wanted more, more epiphany -- more self awareness. I wanted the two to help each other, to talk about their feelings (oh, yeah! Guys don't do that, do they??). I wanted more than that farewell handshake as Will and Hand end their misguided attempt to circle the globe and give away thousands of dollars.
I wanted Will to figure out how to begin living the rest of his life...but the first page hints that there isn't more time for him.
Oh, anything but the postmodernism literature!
You Shall Know Our Velocity! is Dave Eggers’ debut novel, coming on the heels of his much-lauded memoir A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I had not heard of Eggers nor read any of his work prior, and I actually got this one on a whim (it was free).
Velocity! follows two best friends as they complete a one-week, we’re-only-moving-forward trip abroad and at the same time give away $32,000 dollars. It’s a travelogue, basically—until it isn’t.
The book is strangely formatted; there are no chapters, just continuous prose upon prose from the perspective of Will (main). And around two-thirds of the book, a 100-page meta interjection from his buddy, Hand (the other main, I suppose).
(And from what I gathered in my post-read research, this is totally normal with much of postmodern literature. Now, I’m no lit major…but it makes sense. To me. As I understood it.)
I knew from its opening sentence (warning?), this book won’t settle for typical friends-go-on-a-roadtrip-to-find-enlightenment fare even though it’s what this really is. Its greatest point lies in Eggers off-center writing and humor, which complements and elevates this otherwise vain account of privilege.
SO.
I think this is a great book.
I think I will recommend this one.
It’s reaaaaaally different. Something different! Which is always good. Should be good!
You Shall Know Our Velocity! is Dave Eggers’ debut novel, coming on the heels of his much-lauded memoir A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I had not heard of Eggers nor read any of his work prior, and I actually got this one on a whim (it was free).
Velocity! follows two best friends as they complete a one-week, we’re-only-moving-forward trip abroad and at the same time give away $32,000 dollars. It’s a travelogue, basically—until it isn’t.
The book is strangely formatted; there are no chapters, just continuous prose upon prose from the perspective of Will (main). And around two-thirds of the book, a 100-page meta interjection from his buddy, Hand (the other main, I suppose).
(And from what I gathered in my post-read research, this is totally normal with much of postmodern literature. Now, I’m no lit major…but it makes sense. To me. As I understood it.)
I knew from its opening sentence (warning?), this book won’t settle for typical friends-go-on-a-roadtrip-to-find-enlightenment fare even though it’s what this really is. Its greatest point lies in Eggers off-center writing and humor, which complements and elevates this otherwise vain account of privilege.
SO.
I think this is a great book.
I think I will recommend this one.
It’s reaaaaaally different. Something different! Which is always good. Should be good!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes