Scan barcode
janiev's review
3.0
The story of an man who discovers he is a father and what this means and how it changes his life. This book is written in quick bursts of prose that is impactful and beautiful.
hsienhsien27's review
4.0
I never really read flash fiction, not because I didn't like them, but because I never really knew much about the genre, and never liked reading on the internet since a lot of it is published online. For those who are familiar with Nouvella authors, you would probably know who Matthew Salesses is. The extra S's in his last name is kind of scary, I keep feeling like I'm missing one.
So the story of this novel is about a guy whose life gets flipped around, when a boy who claims that he is his son walks into his life. The son's mother was a woman he had a one night stand with, who recently passed away, hence is why the boy ends up looking for him. He seems to be an unfaithful man because he has affairs with other woman while he is in one relationship. All of the woman who he knew are called by their description and not by their names like 'the Asian girl', 'the white girl', and 'the wifely woman'.
So the plot centers around the man's life on his decision, should he get rid of all the other woman and be a father, and keep his job that he probably hates. He always seems to be so confused of what to do, because he's so used to aimless deeds. He soon gives up everything just for the boy, whom he slowly grows affection for despite misunderstanding his odd behaviors and shares his culture with him, the father is an Korean American and the boy is half white and Korean, and seems to have no connection with his Korean culture. The man grows connected to the boy after spending more time with him.
What is most intriguing about this book is the writing style, but that's mostly because I've never read flash fiction or even poetry that often. The writing style was very beautiful, it's flash fiction but it felt more like those free verse poems, I don't know what to call them, but they don't rhyme so I'm assuming that's what you call them. And, I don't know, I liked this book, it was really sad and amusing in some parts, I couldn't put it down. It's one of those books that are sad but they kind of give you hugs, because it's one of those books about life. Life sucks, but not all the time.
So the story of this novel is about a guy whose life gets flipped around, when a boy who claims that he is his son walks into his life. The son's mother was a woman he had a one night stand with, who recently passed away, hence is why the boy ends up looking for him. He seems to be an unfaithful man because he has affairs with other woman while he is in one relationship. All of the woman who he knew are called by their description and not by their names like 'the Asian girl', 'the white girl', and 'the wifely woman'.
So the plot centers around the man's life on his decision, should he get rid of all the other woman and be a father, and keep his job that he probably hates. He always seems to be so confused of what to do, because he's so used to aimless deeds. He soon gives up everything just for the boy, whom he slowly grows affection for despite misunderstanding his odd behaviors and shares his culture with him, the father is an Korean American and the boy is half white and Korean, and seems to have no connection with his Korean culture. The man grows connected to the boy after spending more time with him.
What is most intriguing about this book is the writing style, but that's mostly because I've never read flash fiction or even poetry that often. The writing style was very beautiful, it's flash fiction but it felt more like those free verse poems, I don't know what to call them, but they don't rhyme so I'm assuming that's what you call them. And, I don't know, I liked this book, it was really sad and amusing in some parts, I couldn't put it down. It's one of those books that are sad but they kind of give you hugs, because it's one of those books about life. Life sucks, but not all the time.
saarahn's review against another edition
5.0
From my Goodreads account, but I purchased it from Amazon
I've never read this sort of novel before, at first I didn't understand it. But once I got the feel of it, I didn't stop reading. It portrayed beauty, denial, regret, loneliness and finally, acceptance. I liked it, I hope I will have another opportunity to read a flash fiction.
I've never read this sort of novel before, at first I didn't understand it. But once I got the feel of it, I didn't stop reading. It portrayed beauty, denial, regret, loneliness and finally, acceptance. I liked it, I hope I will have another opportunity to read a flash fiction.
jselliot's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is in a unique format - a novella in a flash, or a series of flash fiction pieces strung together into an extended storyline. A novella in a flash has a connecting element or two, and in this book it's the main character's bastard child and his own irresponsibility. In this book, almost no one had a name. But I can't say I find the main character particularly likeable, with his many affairs and lack of ability to come to terms with adult responsibilities. The fact that his girlfriend, the "wifely woman," cared more about his child than he did wasn't exactly reassuring.
More...