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xtinamorse's review against another edition
3.0
I had a tough time getting into this book at first, but once I was invested I enjoyed it. I didn't devour it quite like I do Klosterman's nonfiction, but it was a nice easy read.
ozgold's review against another edition
3.0
Better than some other Klosterman works, but not as good as his best. The characters' stories were interesting and decently well-developed, but then he comes out of nowhere with this wacked out ending that didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book's tone.
mhansen721's review against another edition
4.0
A long-time fan of Klosterman’s work, this was the first of his fiction works that I’ve read. It was wildly funny and unique, and every page of it is authentically Klosterman. An excellent off-the-wall read.
myphairlady's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.25
duckiedarling's review against another edition
2.0
Not as bad as I thought it would be. This book proves that a journalist can accomplish a creative project (somewhat). Klosterman does small down, rural, and bizarre very well and it shows in his characters, setting, and plot development. Story has a surprising ending that I did not expect in the slightest.
krisrow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
demealli's review against another edition
4.0
Strangely poignant and accessible. Even though I am principally a fan of Klosterman's essays, I was surprised by his ability to write fiction.
mrfrank's review against another edition
3.0
I have read Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman. Now I will a) write a review of it here and b) attempt to write said review in the style of Chuck Klosterman. When I picked up this book I was (mostly) excited to read a new work by Mr. Klosterman though (somewhat) apprehensive about his taking on of the fiction novel genre. I was 85% happy with the final outcome.
This is my review. My review is this. After having read his first published stab at fiction in the form of a short story in Chuck Klosterman IV I didn't believe he could really make me enjoy a full scale novel. I was wrong. Downtown Owl was pretty good. Klosterman sticks to what he knows. Pop culture observations this time done through the eyes of ficticious characters. So even if the book is not a literary masterpiece, it still is an honest solid work by the well established author.
My biggest qualm with the story (and it's not a major point of contention) is that on the whole the story seemed to lack a point. We follow three different characters from the same small rural town of OWL living three different kinds of existences but never crossing each others paths. A sort of three seperate stories united and seperate at the same time. The ending was paradoxically unnecessary and necessary at the same. The ending is truely the part of the book that warrants discussion and debate.
This is my review. My review is this. After having read his first published stab at fiction in the form of a short story in Chuck Klosterman IV I didn't believe he could really make me enjoy a full scale novel. I was wrong. Downtown Owl was pretty good. Klosterman sticks to what he knows. Pop culture observations this time done through the eyes of ficticious characters. So even if the book is not a literary masterpiece, it still is an honest solid work by the well established author.
My biggest qualm with the story (and it's not a major point of contention) is that on the whole the story seemed to lack a point. We follow three different characters from the same small rural town of OWL living three different kinds of existences but never crossing each others paths. A sort of three seperate stories united and seperate at the same time. The ending was paradoxically unnecessary and necessary at the same. The ending is truely the part of the book that warrants discussion and debate.