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zoolmcg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I've never disliked a single thing written by July. There's a special type of observance in all of her work, be it film or novel, that puts us in her place. It's like she lives in her own world, and through the art that she creates, she invites us in to experience it as a snapshot. If this was written and proclaimed as fiction, I'd believe that, but that fact that this isn't makes it all the better.
When I first picked this up and got about thirty pages in, I could sense just how profound of an impact this was to make on me. Through the act of speaking to all of these strangers, July shows us just how beautiful the world is, and all the people in it. Minute details about someone's life being put down in this context, where they reveal the intricacies of their daily rituals or the grand overarching plot of their life, was fascinating to read. There are ranges of emotions in these people's stories, ones that drew me to tears, and others that creeped me out. But above all of it, their one thing in common is in their lack of technology.
It's interesting that this book and her film The Future were devised at this specific point in time - at the first turn of a decade, right after a new millennium. The sections about the PennySaver becoming redundant in the future, and that fact that there will be a time where everyone owns a computer, really struck me. It made me feel nostalgic for a time that I was barely cogent in. The book and all of July's reflections offer a perfect slice of time for what it was like to be at that place and time in the world. I've never been to L.A., and I might never go, but this piece of art made me feel like I was there, with everyone, and loving it.
The fact that this book has photos is also a boon to it's brilliance. The manuscript of these interviews is a breeze to read through, and at times so intensely interesting that it can't be put down. Then to cut between them with photos of environments and items described puts you there, physically. Some of my favourites were of Andrew's garden, Beverley's cats, Pam's house, Ron's ankle monitor, Dina's hairdryer and couch, and of course, Joe's cards. It's a beautiful visual for how unique we all are, how each of us has something that, while sellable in the PennySaver, is important to us. Without these photos, the experience of reading would be incomplete. Sire is just as vital to this piece of art as July.
Anyone who admires July must read this instantly. She can never create anything dull or half-hearted: only the best pieces with the most beautiful stories behind them.
When I first picked this up and got about thirty pages in, I could sense just how profound of an impact this was to make on me. Through the act of speaking to all of these strangers, July shows us just how beautiful the world is, and all the people in it. Minute details about someone's life being put down in this context, where they reveal the intricacies of their daily rituals or the grand overarching plot of their life, was fascinating to read. There are ranges of emotions in these people's stories, ones that drew me to tears, and others that creeped me out. But above all of it, their one thing in common is in their lack of technology.
It's interesting that this book and her film The Future were devised at this specific point in time - at the first turn of a decade, right after a new millennium. The sections about the PennySaver becoming redundant in the future, and that fact that there will be a time where everyone owns a computer, really struck me. It made me feel nostalgic for a time that I was barely cogent in. The book and all of July's reflections offer a perfect slice of time for what it was like to be at that place and time in the world. I've never been to L.A., and I might never go, but this piece of art made me feel like I was there, with everyone, and loving it.
The fact that this book has photos is also a boon to it's brilliance. The manuscript of these interviews is a breeze to read through, and at times so intensely interesting that it can't be put down. Then to cut between them with photos of environments and items described puts you there, physically. Some of my favourites were of Andrew's garden, Beverley's cats, Pam's house, Ron's ankle monitor, Dina's hairdryer and couch, and of course, Joe's cards. It's a beautiful visual for how unique we all are, how each of us has something that, while sellable in the PennySaver, is important to us. Without these photos, the experience of reading would be incomplete. Sire is just as vital to this piece of art as July.
Anyone who admires July must read this instantly. She can never create anything dull or half-hearted: only the best pieces with the most beautiful stories behind them.
ambersnowpants's review against another edition
4.0
I heard a podcast recently in which Miranda July introduced the concept for this book and read some excerpts. I was blown away by the power contained within each of these voyeuristic glimpses into peoples lives. Here's the deal: July was stuck and feeling very distracted while trying to finish up her screenplay. Everything in her creative realm pointed towards screwing around on the internet, staring at the wall, stirring her coffee absentmindedly; anything except finishing the screenplay. She picked up the Pennysaver one morning and scanned the "For Sale" section- the offering of: "leather jacket $10" prompted more than her desire to don a leather jacket but rather inspired her to learn more about these folks offering their wares in a weekly circular. She called each of these people up whether they were selling a Carebear collection, a set of photo albums, a hairdryer, etc... and offered $50 for their time and opportunity to have their hopes and dreams heard as well as their personal space photographed. The pictures and dialogue of this book are so stark and amazing. I remember when I listened to the podcast, there was one story in particular that made my heart squeeze in my chest. This young man keeps an ever changing collage of pictures on his wall. The pictures whether from magazines, internet, or newspaper have a running theme young girls, pretty women, babies, police cars, and jail cells. I know it sounds so creepy but there is a tender story beneath. This fella has envelopes stuffed with these picture collections, each labeled with care. He dreams, he says, of a better life. He dreams of a life that has a beautiful wife, children,and a career as a policeman. He puts these collages on his wall so he can hold his dream a little closer. Nothing creepy or sexual about it. He just pastes to his wall his vision of an ideal life. There is a picture of him sitting on his bed with the collage behind him. He looks so serene, so open, without shame or reservation in sharing his dreams. Anyhow, I think just about anyone would love this book. I love the way that July wanders in and out of these people's lives and homes, eventually finding the path to finishing her screenplay. Rather than chastising herself for her procrastination, she falls head first into it and gains power and knowledge from her journey, eventually allowing free passage to her creative goals.
avocadorocketship's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm...
I love Miranda July and I love all of her work, but I didn't totally understand this book. I think if I were to sit still for the next 50 years and really think about it very hard then perhaps it would click, but I don't have that kind of time, so i guess I'll just have to give this book another try someday. However, the good news is that this book did shine some light onto her most recent film (The Future) which helped me feel less traumatized by the movie -- so that's good.
I love Miranda July and I love all of her work, but I didn't totally understand this book. I think if I were to sit still for the next 50 years and really think about it very hard then perhaps it would click, but I don't have that kind of time, so i guess I'll just have to give this book another try someday. However, the good news is that this book did shine some light onto her most recent film (The Future) which helped me feel less traumatized by the movie -- so that's good.
mrsthrift's review against another edition
3.0
The premise is that Miranda July is writing a screenplay (now a motion picture "THE FUTURE") but she's having some issues with her writing/revising, and as a distraction, she starts responding to ads in the Pennysaver, interviewing each subject, ostensibly trying to get to the bottom of what they are selling, why they're selling it, and who they are. But, you know, it's Miranda July, so really it's about love, failure/success, art, and the broken ways we humans get through the world. Brigitte Sire, a photographer, accompanies July to provide portraits of each person and their home.
I loved Joe, the 81-year-old guy selling christmas card fronts, and Miranda clearly loved him too, since she wrote him into her movie, THE FUTURE. The opening story (a MTF transsexual who is selling her large leather jacket) was touching but the narrative was awkward - like Miranda didn't know how to handle pronouns. All of the stories are intimate, strange and poignant; several of them are a little creepy, too. I wonder if Miranda met some people in her Pennysavers journey that were edited out.
I always feel more strongly about Miranda July's work when I'm in the throes of it, but I'm not sure how much it lingers afterwards. When I read [b:No One Belongs Here More Than You|113429|No One Belongs Here More Than You|Miranda July|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255740069s/113429.jpg|3173608], I was madly in love with it at the time, but five years later, I can't remember it at all. I suspect this book will have the same fate.
I loved Joe, the 81-year-old guy selling christmas card fronts, and Miranda clearly loved him too, since she wrote him into her movie, THE FUTURE. The opening story (a MTF transsexual who is selling her large leather jacket) was touching but the narrative was awkward - like Miranda didn't know how to handle pronouns. All of the stories are intimate, strange and poignant; several of them are a little creepy, too. I wonder if Miranda met some people in her Pennysavers journey that were edited out.
I always feel more strongly about Miranda July's work when I'm in the throes of it, but I'm not sure how much it lingers afterwards. When I read [b:No One Belongs Here More Than You|113429|No One Belongs Here More Than You|Miranda July|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255740069s/113429.jpg|3173608], I was madly in love with it at the time, but five years later, I can't remember it at all. I suspect this book will have the same fate.
lolajoan's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure about this book. Miranda July definitely has a distinctive voice - I've only read this one book and seen one of her movies (Me and You and Everyone We Know, which I loved) but it's still very clear. But her worldview in this book seems stranglingly narrow and self-absorbed, but in a kind of pitiable way, more than an infuriating one. And she does seem somewhat self-aware of it? I don't know. It was, however, engrossing and moving despite this, and is definitely different from, well, any other book I've read, I think.
pnwlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book so much more than I thought I would. I checked it out from the library, but kept putting off reading it because I wanted it to be a collection of short stories (I'd really enjoyed her last book). With a day off work and nothing to do, I wound up reading it in one sitting. Rather than a traditional narrative, the book is part conceptual art project (if you don't like July's work, you'll probably have no interest in this book), and part personal essay. It was more cohesive and linear than I expected--in between visiting people she contacts in the PennySaver, July weaves together her own personal experiences with those of the people she meets. She is honest and thoughtful, and her willingness to attempt a connection (however tenuous) will people from all walks of life is admirable and comes across as genuine.
I'm going to attempt a longer review of this book for work, but wanted to share a nice quote:
"We had to winnow life down so we knew where to put our tenderness and attention; and that was a good, sweet thing. But together or alone, we were still embedded in a kaleidoscope, ruthlessly varied and continuous, until the end of the end."
PS - This book made me cry like a baby.
I'm going to attempt a longer review of this book for work, but wanted to share a nice quote:
"We had to winnow life down so we knew where to put our tenderness and attention; and that was a good, sweet thing. But together or alone, we were still embedded in a kaleidoscope, ruthlessly varied and continuous, until the end of the end."
PS - This book made me cry like a baby.