Reviews - An Exciting and Vivid Inner Life

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59 reviews for:

An Exciting and Vivid Inner Life

Paul Dalla Rosa

3.65 AVERAGE

asfortheeggs's review against another edition

4.25

dark funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I stumbled on this book in a free street library. I loved it. I found it funny, darkly so. The writing is spare. The punch lines land right in the gut. I saw an interview with the author where he talks about trying to create a space between the bleak and the comic. I think this collection pulls it off. Thematically, I guess the stories are about being alienated in the world of late capitalism. My favourite of the collection is ‘Charlie in High Definition’.

kaypat23's review against another edition

3.0

I chose this book because of its cover. It intrigued me. A photograph of a human body hidden behind what looks like bands of colored light. Or are we seeing someone through colorful rainbow blinds? What does this say about the person hidden behind the blinds? Who are they and what are they thinking?

This book is a collection of short stories with rather sullen and pessimistic themes. They all feature characters down on their luck or trapped in uncomfortable, unpleasant situations that they wish to escape from but have no power to. If I were to describe the overall atmosphere of the novel, it would be "lethargic, nihilistic ennui-filled summer haze in Los Angeles".

In this book, dreams get crushed mercilessly or revealed to be empty, ugly, tawdry or cheap. We see characters longing for a better life: to get noticed in the movie industry, to become famous, to become a star, get their ex back, find love and success. The author methodically cuts these dreams down to size, flipping the mirror to show the flawed, ugly image of the characters themselves and everyone goes home, shamefaced with their tail between their legs. Almost no characters in this novel were able to achieve their goals and dreams. They all just hover in limbo, unable to find success, meaning or love. It was kind of pathetic and pitiful to read about their lives. A man seeking self actualization and wants to become a life coach spends all his money on pseudo-spiritual retreats. A woman's destructive cat causes her social life and relationships to fall apart. A man tries to succeed as a writer, only to betray a friend who finally tells him his writing sucks.

These stories are all harsh and end abruptly, often with a touch of black comedy and parody. Most of the characters are also gay men and it is fascinating to see the author depict the conflict gay men go through in this world. Some stories could be parodies or criticisms on current political and social issues. Other times, I think the author just wanted to write about gay men experiencing conflict, disappointment and sadness in their lives.

A very short and strange collection. I don't know who would like to read so much about characters down on their luck and not winning at anything but then again, this gives me the same vibe as [b:Homesick for Another World|30079724|Homesick for Another World|Ottessa Moshfegh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1469408007l/30079724._SY75_.jpg|50499751] so there is an audience for this.

I do not think I will re-read though. The writing is beautiful but I felt bad for most of the characters.