Reviews

Nachteulen by Chuck Klosterman, Adelheid Zöfel

trin's review against another edition

4.0

Even though I enjoy Klosterman’s nonfiction, I did not have high hopes for his first novel, as the only other example of his fiction I’ve seen—the short story that closes [book: Chuck Klosterman IV]—was pretty weak. Unusually, and delightfully, my expectations were far surpassed. In Downtown Owl, Klosterman brings (back) to life a small North Dakota town in the early ’80s. His observations seem pitch-perfect to me (at least based on my own experiences in a small Vermont town in the mid ’90s), and the book is frequently hilarious—Klosterman’s snarky prose can work in a fiction format! Yay!

The book’s ending does make me want to kill him a little, but in a good way. Mostly.

patkay85's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

kepics's review against another edition

3.0

A quick, easy read. I tore through it quickly while on vacation. I felt like he could have added some more into the meat of the book - I couldn't really get into any of the characters. Regardless, Chuck rules. Looking forward to more fiction from him.

alecairis's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

bookwormy614's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed this book. I can't explain why but it is in my top 3 of favorite novels ever written. Maybe it's because I can see each character in someone in my own life. In any case, Klosterman created a great story within this small town of Owl. The ending is a little strange but there is closure for all of the characters.

nolleyolleyoxenfree's review against another edition

3.0

The story had me hooked, with the expectation of some great thing unfolding, yet I was left only with many unanswered questions. The ending is abrupt and brought me to the conclusion that nothing I had read in ‘Downtown Owl’ had even the slightest significance. I suppose it’s a metaphor for life (?) in the sense that we live and we die and the human experience is entirely a meaningless tragedy.

kyleintheweeds's review against another edition

funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

somanybookstoread's review against another edition

3.0

Technically this one would get 3.5 stars. I like Klosterman, but this is definitely not my favorite of his work. The writing is sharp and witty and at times ironic. He infuses pop culture into real life and makes you think. These are certainly characteristics of good writing. But I couldn't (and won't ever) get over the graphic animal torture scene in this book. Truthfully, it'll stay with me my whole life and I never would have picked the book up had I known that was in there. Also, the actor who read the part of "Horace" on the audiobook is in the wrong profession. Finally, Klosterman needed to weave his three narrators together, even if just a bit, much sooner. No more of this animal torture stuff, Chuck, and I'll keep reading you!

tjkory's review against another edition

dark funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kikiwroro's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0