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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Meh. That's about all I can muster for this one. There is a lot of musical history, so maybe those who are highly musically inclined would find this more interesting, but for me it just seemed a bit of a whiny tale of a man who has been dumped. Rob is not a super likable character. At least he wasn't for me. He was whiny and fairly dull, not to mention overly clingy. The story itself just kind of droned on. It wasn't offensive in any way, but it wasn't gripping in any way either. I honestly probably should have just put this one in the DNF pile, but my stubbornness meant that I push my way to the lackluster end. Like I said...meh.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I won't lie and say this was an awful read because I was entertained, but oh my god is the main character insufferable. He's the incel stereotype: sexist, pretentious, self-pitying and annoying.
"Boo fucking hoo! I'm a horrible person because of women!" Oh, please. Grow the fuck up.
On top of this, I've read a few reviews by men saying that this book is an accurate depiction of the male psyche. Well... that's concerning.
I sincerely hoped for some character development and that's probably what kept me reading this, but unfortunately it never happened.
On a more positive note, it's well-written, engaging and fast-paced, hence the two and a half stars.
"Boo fucking hoo! I'm a horrible person because of women!" Oh, please. Grow the fuck up.
On top of this, I've read a few reviews by men saying that this book is an accurate depiction of the male psyche. Well... that's concerning.
I sincerely hoped for some character development and that's probably what kept me reading this, but unfortunately it never happened.
On a more positive note, it's well-written, engaging and fast-paced, hence the two and a half stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Abortion
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5 stars!
I was really struggling what to rate this because on one hand, it’s incredibly well written, witty and very engaging to read. So I would have given it 4 stars on that note.
On the other hand, as a young woman in her early 20s in this current climate with the rise of more sexist and coercive behaviour from men these days, it was a very hard read (before his moments of self growth of course) I can see why this book would have been a cult classic of around the time it was written, but I don’t think it has aged that well, given the awful behaviour from men these days. It didn’t feel AS funny or escapist as it should have been. Therefore on that note I would have given it 2 stars.
Nonetheless, still very well written and funny! Maybe in a couple more decades if things are getting better socially then maybe it’ll be worth the hype again. Therefore I’ve opted to 3 and half! Somewhere in between
I was really struggling what to rate this because on one hand, it’s incredibly well written, witty and very engaging to read. So I would have given it 4 stars on that note.
On the other hand, as a young woman in her early 20s in this current climate with the rise of more sexist and coercive behaviour from men these days, it was a very hard read (before his moments of self growth of course) I can see why this book would have been a cult classic of around the time it was written, but I don’t think it has aged that well, given the awful behaviour from men these days. It didn’t feel AS funny or escapist as it should have been. Therefore on that note I would have given it 2 stars.
Nonetheless, still very well written and funny! Maybe in a couple more decades if things are getting better socially then maybe it’ll be worth the hype again. Therefore I’ve opted to 3 and half! Somewhere in between
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
It’s kind of like a secondary coming of age book, coming into “full adulthood”. There are definitely unsavoury aspects to the protagonist and those around him. He and the supporting characters are coming into their own. It’s ultimately a quite positive book. A big pro to this book is attention to detail on the period depicted. It’s like a contemporary that’s become now a relatively recent social history period piece.
I'm fairly certain I've read this before or maybe I'm just remembering the film. Either way, it's a well written, enjoyable book about a complete prick.
There's no escaping the terrible person Rob is and this book hasn't aged well especially concerning gender politics and roles. His pretension and self absorption are foremost and frustrating. Yet, it's compelling. Perhaps it's the nostalgia aspect of things. Maybe I can relate to aspects of his character. I don't know. It is funny though, very easy to read with lovely prose and frequent moments of deeper insight. So, despite the main character being fairly repugnant, it rises above it all.
Thinking back on the film, they had spot on casting.
There's no escaping the terrible person Rob is and this book hasn't aged well especially concerning gender politics and roles. His pretension and self absorption are foremost and frustrating. Yet, it's compelling. Perhaps it's the nostalgia aspect of things. Maybe I can relate to aspects of his character. I don't know. It is funny though, very easy to read with lovely prose and frequent moments of deeper insight. So, despite the main character being fairly repugnant, it rises above it all.
Thinking back on the film, they had spot on casting.
For me, a female record store employee, this book was sharp and honest and funny, but (also for me, a female record store employee) it was exhausting. I gave it 4 stars because it's one of those books that you hate read. It totally captures record store culture in the 90s, which as a woman just kinda gives me the ick.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was enjoying it but the library kept taking it back and I lost the pleasure of reading it to the end.
funny
medium-paced
A man with a penchant for writing "Top 5" lists struggles with rejection, identity, and self-confidence in early 1990s London. Struggling from his most recent break-up and the decline of his record store after the best decade in music history, the man tracks down all of his old girlfriends to get their take on what is wrong with him and why he continuously struggles to find success in life. An interesting idea that almost no sane person would follow through with.
I wanted to read this one because John Cusack starred in the film adaptation of this book, but it's an average read. In fact, I'd probably put the movie in my "Top 5 Films That Were Better Than The Book" list.
I wanted to read this one because John Cusack starred in the film adaptation of this book, but it's an average read. In fact, I'd probably put the movie in my "Top 5 Films That Were Better Than The Book" list.