Scan barcode
brilliancee's review against another edition
Really enjoyed the first... 30 pages or so, but then felt like I'd seen all it had to offer. Finished the first chapter and thought I would come back to it later. It held no interest for me.
Will continue reading DeWitt as I've really enjoyed two of his other books so far, but this one isn't for me.
Will continue reading DeWitt as I've really enjoyed two of his other books so far, but this one isn't for me.
t_bone's review against another edition
5.0
I have fallen platonically in love with Patrick deWitt. Usually when I read a book I think to myself, I could have written this, if I wanted to. But I can't match de wit of deWitt (exhibit A). His powers of invention and quality of prose kept my smiling though every page. Maybe some of the appeal of this novel, about an alcoholic L.A. barman plying his trade, stemmed from the fact that it brought back fond memories of my own days working behind the jumps. All the characters made me nostalgic for the sad and crazy drunks I once served so poorly and for the coworkers who differed only from the punters by which side of the bar they stood. This novel, DeWitt's first I believe, is not as off-beat as the others, but should appeal to lovers of Bukowski for its revelling in alcohol, sex, and general seediness.
caroline_eubanks's review against another edition
3.0
This book is very odd to say the least. Not bad, necessarily, but odd. It's written in the second person, a rare form of fiction, which can be a bit disturbing at times. None of the characters, especially the narrator, are likable, and it reminds me of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I can relate to the everyday life of working in a bar, but not necessarily to the rest.
allymo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
leftoverjen's review against another edition
5.0
this gets 5 stars because I really can't think of anything wrong with it or anything I would want to see done differently.
Once again upon finishing a Patrick DeWitt novel I find myself lamenting the fact that I cannot write like he does, which is such simple prose that also manages to be packed full of emotion and meaning. His style is similar to how Chuck Palahniuk handles dark subjects in that there's a hint of the absurd and whole dash of comedy, but DeWitt comes across as more refined, literary, and less of an punk anarchist though just as full of self-hatred. it's worth noting that this is the only thing in second-person that hasn't driven me crazy trying to read. someone else described it as natural-sounding and I have to emphatically agree.
Very excited to see what undermajordomo minor has to offer.
Once again upon finishing a Patrick DeWitt novel I find myself lamenting the fact that I cannot write like he does, which is such simple prose that also manages to be packed full of emotion and meaning. His style is similar to how Chuck Palahniuk handles dark subjects in that there's a hint of the absurd and whole dash of comedy, but DeWitt comes across as more refined, literary, and less of an punk anarchist though just as full of self-hatred. it's worth noting that this is the only thing in second-person that hasn't driven me crazy trying to read. someone else described it as natural-sounding and I have to emphatically agree.
Very excited to see what undermajordomo minor has to offer.
thereaderofbooks's review against another edition
1.0
I really liked Sisters Brothers but did not enjoy this one
amy142's review against another edition
4.0
Brutal and disgusting, but all the more powerful for it. There are moments of typical Patrick deWitt wordplay and absurdity, but the backdrop of crushing sadness makes it hard to laugh.
The second person narration is unusual (I don't believe I've ever read a book in second person before) but it works very well. Not only are we drawn into the mind of an addict with a greater sense of immediacy than third person could provide, as this book is supposed to be notes written by the narrator for a novel, that he chooses to write in second person tells us a great deal about his feelings of disconnection. He writes in detail about the lives and personalities of everyone around him, and we gain insight into why they might act or feel the way they do, but the narrator never seems turns this discerning eye to himself. This was never more clear than when the narrator writes a note to another barman- in second person- mocking his life and choices. The letter, written to 'you' as the whole novel as been written, may be the most self-aware moment in the text, and the narrator isn't even talking about himself (though his reaction when the letter is destroyed suggests he might have seen the connection).
I drop a star only because I found the beginning a little slow, with too many regulars introduced all at once. However, it has been a delight to read deWitt's back catalogue 'back to front' and end with this book, to see where he started. This short little book sure packs a punch.
The second person narration is unusual (I don't believe I've ever read a book in second person before) but it works very well. Not only are we drawn into the mind of an addict with a greater sense of immediacy than third person could provide, as this book is supposed to be notes written by the narrator for a novel, that he chooses to write in second person tells us a great deal about his feelings of disconnection. He writes in detail about the lives and personalities of everyone around him, and we gain insight into why they might act or feel the way they do, but the narrator never seems turns this discerning eye to himself. This was never more clear than when the narrator writes a note to another barman- in second person- mocking his life and choices. The letter, written to 'you' as the whole novel as been written, may be the most self-aware moment in the text, and the narrator isn't even talking about himself (though his reaction when the letter is destroyed suggests he might have seen the connection).
I drop a star only because I found the beginning a little slow, with too many regulars introduced all at once. However, it has been a delight to read deWitt's back catalogue 'back to front' and end with this book, to see where he started. This short little book sure packs a punch.