Scan barcode
bookhawk's review against another edition
3.0
I added this book to my reading list because it was on Esquire’s List of 75 Books Every Man Should Read several years ago. It is a good entertaining, funny read at times and probably best suited for short story lovers. Part of it reminded me of Forrest Gump by Winston Groom in the outlandishness of the story.
mjfawcett's review against another edition
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
senordustin's review against another edition
5.0
This is a cruel work. It's like the Simpsons in a Lynch movie and just as funny as that sounds.
nicolec417's review against another edition
4.0
My goodness the places Saunders' brain goes to, taking the reader along with him. I never want to live in his worlds, but they are amazing to visit.
gregtrob's review against another edition
2.0
Disclaimer: I received this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
I had never before read any George Saunders - but the short story format sounded appealing. And the description sounded great.
The title short story was great and I loved it. Most of the other short stories were also fantastic.
However I ran into problems with the novella - even being a novella it just seemed to go on and on and on. The concept was good - but I just could not attach to the main character - which with Saunders' style - tended to make the novella somewhat of a chore to read.
All in all I'd pick up another collection of Saunders' short stories - if they all were short stories.
I had never before read any George Saunders - but the short story format sounded appealing. And the description sounded great.
The title short story was great and I loved it. Most of the other short stories were also fantastic.
However I ran into problems with the novella - even being a novella it just seemed to go on and on and on. The concept was good - but I just could not attach to the main character - which with Saunders' style - tended to make the novella somewhat of a chore to read.
All in all I'd pick up another collection of Saunders' short stories - if they all were short stories.
ejc112's review
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
stevequinn's review against another edition
2.0
So not for me. Very nonsensical, satirical and completely irritating. I couldn't finish the last piece.
xenamollie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
icecreamemperor's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Kind of the same story over and over but it's a funny and interesting and well-written story.