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edriley's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I had to finish this book because it was a complete train wreck from beginning to end…I mean TERRIBLE. The author had a weird obsession with throwing in the characters’ weight and their lack of eating. The plot was thin AT BEST. Not a single character got a resolution. It was like the author realized how shitty their book was and just gave up.
plants_pages_poultry's review against another edition
3.0
Easy breezy read about the absurdities of startup culture and the women who have to deal with the men who found them.
julesthebookdragon417's review against another edition
3.0
I was so excited for this book and it had its moments, but it left me wanting something meatier.
The surface level is entertaining. In a nutshell this book presents a satirical - but probably not *too* satirical - look at startup culture, along with the millennial generation that fuels it. It's worth noting that I'm (begrudgingly) considered a millennial myself, and I found the picture painted hilarious and fascinating in equal turns. I also enjoyed the look at the contradiction between the attitudes that dominate the culture the author shows us ("The ultimate goal is to better the world." "Bosses are in the trenches right along with us." "People are individuals and deserve to be made happy.") and the realities of sexism, racism, and egocentrism that very much exist in the industry, no matter how many shiny platitudes are pasted on top.
What I found lacking was the actual story. There were a couple twists, maybe, but mostly it felt like we were looking into the window of a world, watching some fairly linear events play out, and then were left without much depth or character development to speak of. Maybe satire isn't a genre where I should be looking for those things, but in general I found the book to be a lovely, shiny surface that didn't go very deep. The ending was also a little off-putting. It felt like things just stopped, without any kind of real resolution or indication of what the characters would do next. And since we didn't see much character development, there wasn't much suggestion of what direction they would take. Enjoyable overall, but left me feeling like I had just spent three days hanging out in the kiddie pool, when I had been ready to dive in and get wet.
The surface level is entertaining. In a nutshell this book presents a satirical - but probably not *too* satirical - look at startup culture, along with the millennial generation that fuels it. It's worth noting that I'm (begrudgingly) considered a millennial myself, and I found the picture painted hilarious and fascinating in equal turns. I also enjoyed the look at the contradiction between the attitudes that dominate the culture the author shows us ("The ultimate goal is to better the world." "Bosses are in the trenches right along with us." "People are individuals and deserve to be made happy.") and the realities of sexism, racism, and egocentrism that very much exist in the industry, no matter how many shiny platitudes are pasted on top.
What I found lacking was the actual story. There were a couple twists, maybe, but mostly it felt like we were looking into the window of a world, watching some fairly linear events play out, and then were left without much depth or character development to speak of. Maybe satire isn't a genre where I should be looking for those things, but in general I found the book to be a lovely, shiny surface that didn't go very deep. The ending was also a little off-putting. It felt like things just stopped, without any kind of real resolution or indication of what the characters would do next. And since we didn't see much character development, there wasn't much suggestion of what direction they would take. Enjoyable overall, but left me feeling like I had just spent three days hanging out in the kiddie pool, when I had been ready to dive in and get wet.
lbatch's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
haylstormer's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, and I didn't like this book.
When I saw it appear on BOTM list of options, I jumped at the chance to purchase it. As a fan of the show Silicon Valley and someone who works in digital marketing/technology, I thought it would be a very relevant and fun read.
Starting out, it was a fun read. It talks about modern technologies, the culture in tech start-up's, and some hilarious workplace dynamics.
Then about halfway through the book, you learn about the CEO, Mack's, relationship with his secretary and that becomes the primary focus of the rest of the book, with some other relatively dull interweaving stories. I thought it was just a point that drug out too long but it really is a majority chunk of the book, and the lead story at the very end. Quickly it became a feminist rager about sexual harassment in the workplace and it wasn't quite the fun, witty Silicon Valley it started out as and what I'd hoped it would be.
Hmmmmphhh....
When I saw it appear on BOTM list of options, I jumped at the chance to purchase it. As a fan of the show Silicon Valley and someone who works in digital marketing/technology, I thought it would be a very relevant and fun read.
Starting out, it was a fun read. It talks about modern technologies, the culture in tech start-up's, and some hilarious workplace dynamics.
Then about halfway through the book, you learn about the CEO, Mack's, relationship with his secretary and that becomes the primary focus of the rest of the book, with some other relatively dull interweaving stories. I thought it was just a point that drug out too long but it really is a majority chunk of the book, and the lead story at the very end. Quickly it became a feminist rager about sexual harassment in the workplace and it wasn't quite the fun, witty Silicon Valley it started out as and what I'd hoped it would be.
Hmmmmphhh....
finalefile's review against another edition
4.0
More like 3.5 stars...I typically save 4-star ratings for books I wouldn't mind reading again, and I'm not sure if Startup quite reaches that level.
I loved how modern the book felt - it had so many pop culture references I actually understood! I loved how absurd it got sometimes (especially at the beginning), such as when a character is introduced and the narrator immediately tells you how many Instagram followers they have. I enjoyed the writing style, and I was able to read it quickly, which is always a plus.
However, I didn't really like any of the characters, and most of them get skeevier as the book goes on. Not to mention, the main plot is about workplace sexual harassment, which is never fun to read about. And just like in real life, there are a lot of unintended consequences caused by the characters' decisions.
So overall - great writing style (I would definitely read more by this author, and I enjoy the two podcasts she co-hosts), but not my ideal characters or subject matter.
I loved how modern the book felt - it had so many pop culture references I actually understood! I loved how absurd it got sometimes (especially at the beginning), such as when a character is introduced and the narrator immediately tells you how many Instagram followers they have. I enjoyed the writing style, and I was able to read it quickly, which is always a plus.
However, I didn't really like any of the characters, and most of them get skeevier as the book goes on. Not to mention, the main plot is about workplace sexual harassment, which is never fun to read about. And just like in real life, there are a lot of unintended consequences caused by the characters' decisions.
So overall - great writing style (I would definitely read more by this author, and I enjoy the two podcasts she co-hosts), but not my ideal characters or subject matter.
itsjinah's review against another edition
4.0
A quick and fun read, that felt very current. (But I couldn't help but wonder if many of the references might be too quickly dated because of this?) Since Shafrir is a writer for a similar pub as the reporter character, many of those details, as well as the tech startup-related details felt spot-on. I'd check this out if you're curious about what it's like to be in a modern "newsroom" in the day and age of social media and web publishing or if you're curious about what it's really like behind the scenes at a startup run by a young, overconfident leader. I've definitely been on both sides and found this super relevant for me personally.
pmhandley's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This is a quick and easy read. It's amusing and the characters are interesting enough to keep you invested in the outcome. The characters don't have quite as much depth as I would have liked and the parody of the tech world is almost overdone at points. Katya screams "I'm Not Like Other Girls" in a too obvious way. I found certain twists a bit predictable. But overall it's enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment