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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
joannchilada's review
2.0
I wish I knew ahead of time that this book bends a lot of truths. The author says he was painting a picture, and you don’t ask if a painting is true. But that’s not a fair comparison, because a book is very much not a painting, and when it’s categorized as nonfiction and biography you set an expectation for your reader. This information should be presented up front. It comes as a bit of a slap in the face when told at the end. It also helps make sense of what feels off while you’re reading. For example, I kept wondering why his friend and one time roommate sometimes did things out of character. Well, turns out the author combined two people into one character. Certainly less jarring when you know that already, I’m sure. It also makes you question the entirety of the book when truly every character is changed, as well as the timeline of when things occurred and who they happened to. So much is about living with his grandmother and uncle - and then you learn he never did. So call it fiction inspired by true events. Don’t lie.
allieeveryday's review
3.0
Stories can actually rearrange continents if they're told long enough. It's actually in the Bible. Matthew 15:6-7 states, "If you only had the faith of mustard seeds and stories - we could move mountains and the location of gas stations."
This was the last book I bought at Blacksburg Books before we moved out of Virginia. (If you're in the area, go check it out! I miss that bookstore.) I mostly bought it for the title, if I'm being honest.
Set in West Virginia, and mostly a memoir? Ish? Another reviewer called this "autofiction" and that feels apt, because it's definitely mostly nonfic, but McClanahan clearly took some liberties (which he explains extensively in the afterword). The writing is melancholic, sometimes sarcastic, often pretending not to care about what's going on around him. Still, many of the short chapters end with searing clarity.
The first half, mostly about his extended family in Danese, WV, definitely feels stronger than the second half. It almost turns more stream-of-consciousness in its delivery in the second half, where it focuses on McClanahan moving in with his high-school buddy. I definitely was more interested in the family stuff than the crap of teenage boys.
CW: infant death/miscarriage (in the past; mention of tiny graves), suicide/suicidal ideation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ableism, homophobia.
This was the last book I bought at Blacksburg Books before we moved out of Virginia. (If you're in the area, go check it out! I miss that bookstore.) I mostly bought it for the title, if I'm being honest.
Set in West Virginia, and mostly a memoir? Ish? Another reviewer called this "autofiction" and that feels apt, because it's definitely mostly nonfic, but McClanahan clearly took some liberties (which he explains extensively in the afterword). The writing is melancholic, sometimes sarcastic, often pretending not to care about what's going on around him. Still, many of the short chapters end with searing clarity.
The first half, mostly about his extended family in Danese, WV, definitely feels stronger than the second half. It almost turns more stream-of-consciousness in its delivery in the second half, where it focuses on McClanahan moving in with his high-school buddy. I definitely was more interested in the family stuff than the crap of teenage boys.
CW: infant death/miscarriage (in the past; mention of tiny graves), suicide/suicidal ideation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ableism, homophobia.
wahooemma's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Great funky little read! I obviously love reading about the south and mountains and Appalachia so this was a quick quirky read. The author tells stories in such an entertaining way!
cdubs74's review
5.0
This is a great companion book to read along with Hillbilly Elegy - I think it's better to read it afterwards. I want to give it 4.5 stars, but am rounding it up to 5.
karconner's review
3.0
I would really give it a 3.5 if I could. It wasn't what I expected. I thought I was going to be reading about growing up in WV not far from where I grew up. At first, I felt it was a bit crude and could use some refinement. But, there were moments of expressiveness and eloquence. All in all, a quick read with some funny bits, some shocking bits, some crude bits, and some poignant bits.
libraryladykati's review
2.0
Not sure how I feel about this. It's dark, sometimes funny, and oftentimes depressing.