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pete0926's review against another edition
2.0
This book follows about a 5-6 month period in the lives of 3 people in a town called Owl, ND. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen but nothing really ever did. I loved the style of Chuck's writing but was disappointed in his first novel.
noveltay's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Antisemitism, Homophobia, Mass/school shootings, Pedophilia, Racism, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Death
eluse9's review against another edition
5.0
Even though every character speaks in Klosterman's voice, I still enjoyed every minute of it. Maybe because I love to read him anyway.
xweatherman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A fantastically funny snapshot into small town living, with characters that feel alive and ready to deconstruct themselves
dangermoves's review against another edition
5.0
I really just loved everything about this book, as I do with every one of Chuck Klosterman's books I've read so far. I love his humor. Loved this book.
lumakip's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed how he captured the small town youth life in the early 80's. As I can testify, much of it was very accurate, spot-on. This is a straight up character study and in the end, it doesn't really go anywhere. Probably much like small town life in the 1980s.
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books that you will have a hard time comparing to anything else. Despite having met Klosterman a few years ago at our alma mater (UND), I have just gotten around to this unique experience. And now, I am very interested in his other work. I feel like this book should come with a preface that tells you to read it for the ND Midwestern values, and ways of life, otherwise I think it could be easy to miss the point. I appreciate that someone who is a great writer wrote about the area, because he managed to do it justice. I felt a little nostalgic for "home" (lived in Grand Forks, ND for 9 years!) while reading, and truly appreciated the care taken with themes that are often exacerbated (ie. the Cohen bros "Fargo"). The style of the book was engaging, and the characters interesting. Dive in and get a look at ND in the 80s, and trust me when I say, you'll have a good time.
snowmaiden's review against another edition
3.0
As a novel, I don't think this book is very successful. There isn't much plot until there's suddenly way too much at the end, with "dramatic" developments that I probably would have seen coming a mile away if I'd been bothering to pay attention. However, as a time capsule of what it was like to grow up in rural North Dakota in the early 1980's, it's invaluable. I can't tell you how many times Chuck brought up some obscure detail that made me chuckle or smile because it was exactly right. (Although I'm still upset about the Guess jeans reference. Sure, they existed in 1982, but I'm pretty sure no one in Owl, North Dakota would have heard of them, let alone worn them.)
This is reminding me I need to go back and read Chuck's later novel. I have no doubt that he improved his second time out of the gate. (And yes, I'm calling him Chuck and not Klosterman for a reason. I do know him, although I'm completely sure he doesn't remember me, that geeky freshman girl who used to stare at him as he walked the corridors of Merrifield Hall, pontificating to his many hangers-on [or to his archnemesis Rex Sorgatz]).
This is reminding me I need to go back and read Chuck's later novel. I have no doubt that he improved his second time out of the gate. (And yes, I'm calling him Chuck and not Klosterman for a reason. I do know him, although I'm completely sure he doesn't remember me, that geeky freshman girl who used to stare at him as he walked the corridors of Merrifield Hall, pontificating to his many hangers-on [or to his archnemesis Rex Sorgatz]).
larkspire's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75