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ditiacharya's review
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
acouplereadss's review
3.0
I can’t say I’ve ever been quite so put off and scowling while reading a book before. I kept getting involuntary shudders while reading Stay Up With Hugo Best. All of these weird odd feelings were very effective for the story.
I’m a bit confused because this was pitched as a humourous title but I did not find it funny. Nor did I find it had a dark humour vibe to it. It was such a melancholy read and really put me in a down mood for the rest of the day while reading it. The character seemed so lost and aimless and I am sure many people, regardless of whether they are a “milennial” or not can relate. Flawed characters and strange undertones fuel this story. If you like that angle definitely grab a copy for yourself.
This is a book for those of us who make choices that ultimately lead them to a “how did I get here” moment. This is a book for those of us who have experienced life and think to ourselves “well, let’s see where this will take me” or “I want to see how this ends”.
The writing is excellent and will definitely make you feel discombobulated. You have to be in a specific mood to read this one but I do recommend it for a completely different reading experience.
**Thank you Scribner for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
I’m a bit confused because this was pitched as a humourous title but I did not find it funny. Nor did I find it had a dark humour vibe to it. It was such a melancholy read and really put me in a down mood for the rest of the day while reading it. The character seemed so lost and aimless and I am sure many people, regardless of whether they are a “milennial” or not can relate. Flawed characters and strange undertones fuel this story. If you like that angle definitely grab a copy for yourself.
This is a book for those of us who make choices that ultimately lead them to a “how did I get here” moment. This is a book for those of us who have experienced life and think to ourselves “well, let’s see where this will take me” or “I want to see how this ends”.
The writing is excellent and will definitely make you feel discombobulated. You have to be in a specific mood to read this one but I do recommend it for a completely different reading experience.
**Thank you Scribner for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
kbf4's review
3.0
I thought I would love this book about an aging late night talk show host and a young writer who works on his show. Although "funny" at times, I wanted it to be more lighthearted and less serious. No doubt it was well written, and if you are a fan of old comedy acts, you may very well enjoy it more than I did. But for me it was sad and a little depressing.
citizenmaim's review
It was fine! There are some really excellent parts. I’m whelmed.
raitalle's review
3.0
I liked this book, but I don't really have much to say about it. It was a well written character story that ended up going for the more obvious, realistic/downer ending that I had hoped for, but really was in tune with the rest of the book. A look at fame and the people around it, and what happens when it's gone.
tashadandelion's review
3.0
This was a pleasant enough read, but I didn't get much from it. I liked the characterization well enough, but it ended up being a bit too slice-of-life for my tastes in a novel.
kimdenise's review
2.0
The Amazon promotional email suggested this book would remind me of Carl Hiaasen, so I bought it right away. I expected it to be bitter, cynical, and witty, and it is. But it isn't a bit funny. There isn't a trace of Hiaasen's riotous, gleeful absurdity. Hiaasen's bitter cynicism is both fueled and redeemed by his incandescent love for the natural world, while this novel's bitter cynicism isn't offset by anything remotely redemptive. In fact, this novel can't quite rouse itself to bitterness. The best it can do is a sort of agitated ennui.
Still, I'll read Erin Somers again. The writing sparkles. Despite the fact that she spends 272 pages chronicling a depressed and depressing 3-day weekend, the pacing is terrific. She performs the fascinating feat of filling a book with events small and large but leaving the reader feeling as if nothing happened at all. So while I didn't much like this book...I can't wait to read her next one.
Still, I'll read Erin Somers again. The writing sparkles. Despite the fact that she spends 272 pages chronicling a depressed and depressing 3-day weekend, the pacing is terrific. She performs the fascinating feat of filling a book with events small and large but leaving the reader feeling as if nothing happened at all. So while I didn't much like this book...I can't wait to read her next one.
cindyp's review
1.0
If you like plots with action, characters who are three dimensional and show some type of change, either for better or worse, throughout the book, If you like snappy dialogue, then this book is not for you.
themaddiest's review
4.0
This was very good but very character-driven, and won't work for readers expecting a faster pace.
Somers is an author to watch.
Somers is an author to watch.
thebookishmeg's review
2.0
I enjoyed some elements of this novel, but I have to admit that other bits fell a bit flat for me. I enjoyed the idea of it being a comment on the media industry, its inherent sexism, racism, and the privilege that is afforded to the famous, and there were some great one-liners throughout the novel that made me chuckle.
I did however find it a little slow-paced, and lacking in action. From the blurb, I had envisaged a crazy weekend of drama, chaos and maybe a fight against sexism, but not a lot actually happened. At several points June commented on how bored she was, despite staying in Hugo Best’s house, and I have to admit that it was a little boring to read about someone else being bored! I have been reading a lot of action-filled page-turners recently, so perhaps I’m just not used to the slow read.
It also had quite a depressing tone and highlighted the futility of a successful career and the high likelihood that you would never achieve your dreams - quite a depressing standing that wasn’t hugely helpful for someone still trying to decide on what path they would like their career to take!!
It was really well-written, and I liked the writing style! I enjoyed learning more about the comedy industry, as I enjoy comedy but have never really thought about what a difficult industry it is to break into. Perhaps if this is an area you work in or are interested in, you’ll enjoy this read a bit more!
Thank you to @TInderPress, @HeadlinePress and @RosieMargesson for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I did however find it a little slow-paced, and lacking in action. From the blurb, I had envisaged a crazy weekend of drama, chaos and maybe a fight against sexism, but not a lot actually happened. At several points June commented on how bored she was, despite staying in Hugo Best’s house, and I have to admit that it was a little boring to read about someone else being bored! I have been reading a lot of action-filled page-turners recently, so perhaps I’m just not used to the slow read.
It also had quite a depressing tone and highlighted the futility of a successful career and the high likelihood that you would never achieve your dreams - quite a depressing standing that wasn’t hugely helpful for someone still trying to decide on what path they would like their career to take!!
It was really well-written, and I liked the writing style! I enjoyed learning more about the comedy industry, as I enjoy comedy but have never really thought about what a difficult industry it is to break into. Perhaps if this is an area you work in or are interested in, you’ll enjoy this read a bit more!
Thank you to @TInderPress, @HeadlinePress and @RosieMargesson for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.