Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This is a great, if at times frustrating, tale of adventure, about two late-twenty-something Americans on an impulsive journey,trying to get around the world in a week. I found myself often frustrated at the ignorance of their plan, their assumptions and ethnocentric views, but I think that may have partially been Dave Eggers' point. Two friends, dealing with a personal tragedy, try to make sense of things, to go on an adventure, in their own way. The story is a hilarious, exasperating, emotional, and ultimately healing journey of growth.
A classic Eggers: a crazy adventure full of goofy characters, a powerful death that steeps sadness into every page, dark humor in spite of it all, and a long-winded writing style that I somehow really love. It's been a few years since this read, but I remember it being so emotionally involved that I need some time before I read it again-- I had the same feeling of being drained after watching Les Miserables in theaters.
Worth the read if only for the little pearls of hilarity. Eggers' general theme is about privilege and charity, and why we hold onto these noble ideals. Even, in this case, in the face of chaos and ridiculousness.
Well I didn't outright love it, but I do still love Eggers' writing. I love how he plays with the format of a novel. It still has the same kind of feel as Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, with the long ramblings paired with fast dialogue. I didn't connect that closely with the characters, but it was really interesting to watch the main character deal with his inner struggles and see how it changed over the course of the book.
Also, mine was not the edition with the extra material narrated by Hand, even though it was printed after the "Sacrement" version was published. Maybe someday I'll find a complete version and see if that changes my feelings about the book.
Also, mine was not the edition with the extra material narrated by Hand, even though it was printed after the "Sacrement" version was published. Maybe someday I'll find a complete version and see if that changes my feelings about the book.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"you give chaos, chaos gives back"
"The point is to offer yourself to death and see if you're chosen"
The two main characters are a juxtapose of each other which creates a great dynamic during their travels. Eggers can string words together to really make you think.
"The point is to offer yourself to death and see if you're chosen"
The two main characters are a juxtapose of each other which creates a great dynamic during their travels. Eggers can string words together to really make you think.
Re-read in 2024. Is this one of my favorite books anymore? Sadly no.
Staring at the empty stars waiting to be rated, I’m jostling between a 4 and a 5. Let me talk myself through it.
Was this a profound experience, one I can’t seem to walk away from without it bubbling up on its own throughout the day? Honestly, kind of yes. It tricked me in the way it slowly got its hooks in me and how the sometimes dark and surprising but always concise and accurate descriptions of life grew more and more impressive. And important. I didn’t see it at first, almost a little put off at the writing style and quality — not because it was so bad, but because it was so good. And different. Like maybe I’m not smart enough or a good enough writer myself to enjoy this book. But by the end, I felt like I may not be able to compare other books to this one. I’m still not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
Did it speak to me as a late twenty/barely thirtysomething with just as much of a question mark about what the hell to do in life? That’s a big bingo. Part of me wants to take a big adventure like Will and Hand take, throwing money away while the world takes you where it wants you to go despite all your plans. But it also scared me, because sometimes I wonder if most of our generation is *this close* from jumping ship and making a wreckless decision.
This story is a wild ride, sometimes slow, sometimes aggravating, both probably for good reason, and sometimes a little too close for comfort. But it’s got it’s own thing going on. Sounds like Dave Eggers is known for that.
This is a 4.5 star read. But I have to do 4 because goodreads is annoying. And I’m not sure I would read it again. At least for a good amount of time. Regardless, the writing is worth experiencing. Even if it makes you feel small, it knows you and you’ll know it. It’s pretty damn good.
Was this a profound experience, one I can’t seem to walk away from without it bubbling up on its own throughout the day? Honestly, kind of yes. It tricked me in the way it slowly got its hooks in me and how the sometimes dark and surprising but always concise and accurate descriptions of life grew more and more impressive. And important. I didn’t see it at first, almost a little put off at the writing style and quality — not because it was so bad, but because it was so good. And different. Like maybe I’m not smart enough or a good enough writer myself to enjoy this book. But by the end, I felt like I may not be able to compare other books to this one. I’m still not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
Did it speak to me as a late twenty/barely thirtysomething with just as much of a question mark about what the hell to do in life? That’s a big bingo. Part of me wants to take a big adventure like Will and Hand take, throwing money away while the world takes you where it wants you to go despite all your plans. But it also scared me, because sometimes I wonder if most of our generation is *this close* from jumping ship and making a wreckless decision.
This story is a wild ride, sometimes slow, sometimes aggravating, both probably for good reason, and sometimes a little too close for comfort. But it’s got it’s own thing going on. Sounds like Dave Eggers is known for that.
This is a 4.5 star read. But I have to do 4 because goodreads is annoying. And I’m not sure I would read it again. At least for a good amount of time. Regardless, the writing is worth experiencing. Even if it makes you feel small, it knows you and you’ll know it. It’s pretty damn good.
I really, really liked this book. Funny and witty, yet at the same time, heartbreaking. It's the story of two friends who decide to travel the world in a week (but they can only go in one direction, to get a special airfare). While in the various countries they visit, it is their goal to get rid of all the money they allot to the country (say, $4000 per), and they try to find people to give it away to, and they even experiment with taping money to donkeys (a surprise for their owners at the end of the day). An absolutely brilliant novel.
Dave Eggers, with YSKOV!, has written a moving and hilarious novel about two friends traveling around the world to give away 32,000 dollars and free themselves from a profound loss. The book explains the grief of dealing with the death of a friend who was far too young to die -- deep down it's about friendship and love and all that you hold dear. But it's also about living life and enjoying the time we have by living out dreams, or in the case of the two main characters Will and Hand, creating them as you go go go. Early on, YSKOV pokes fun at the USA-centric viewpoint displayed by the characters, "What? No direct flights from Greenland to Rwanda? What is the world coming to?" The first part of the book shows the far-fetched fantasy of traveling the world, as if with snaps of the fingers travelers can transplant themselves into any country. But reality crowds in on the characters' mindsets, and what actually happens with them is a very believable and breathtaking dash through some countries that popular literature usually passes by.
YSKOV makes you want to drop everything and travel the world, and it makes you feel like you haven't truly lived until you have done that.
You Shall Know Our Velocity! is Dave Eggers' his first novel, and it reminds us what an important, necessary talent Dave Eggers is to our generation of restlessness and stagnancy.
YSKOV makes you want to drop everything and travel the world, and it makes you feel like you haven't truly lived until you have done that.
You Shall Know Our Velocity! is Dave Eggers' his first novel, and it reminds us what an important, necessary talent Dave Eggers is to our generation of restlessness and stagnancy.