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allieta's review against another edition
1.0
Confession: Did not complete this one. I just was not drawn into the story at all. I got about half way through before calling in my losses.
alleerose's review against another edition
5.0
I recognize that some people might find this book really annoying and too "on the nose" but I found it pretty delightful (although I'm sure that's not the right word).
jacksongardner2244's review against another edition
5.0
A ride - funnier than I would have expected in the social commentary and journey that Jack is on. This book is incredibly relevant in its commentary on our daily life - disease, purpose, life, masculinity, fame, consumerism, death, race, family constructs - normal v not normal. All through the lens of this deranged father who tries to understand why we are all here.
I enjoyed this immensely more than I would have thought.
I enjoyed this immensely more than I would have thought.
arealswellfellow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
So much better than the movie. I think this is one of the best fictional looks at the American mindset I’ve read.
The ending at first let me down a bit. But after lingering on it, it really hit me. Good book.
The ending at first let me down a bit. But after lingering on it, it really hit me. Good book.
curtnez's review against another edition
5.0
Five glowing, phosphorescent stars.
I loved pretty much everything about this book. It is a warped magnifying glass on much in American culture: consumerism, media, family life, disaster, academia. It was written in 1985 so there is a lot of commentary about TV & radio and I can just imagine what the book would be with the internet: click bait, online shopping, wi-fi signals.
The writing is mesmerizing; it’s attuned to undercurrents and generates weirdly vivid scenes that seep through your skin. I don’t think I’ll forget the Socratic dialogue at the supermarket, the slightly skewed family conversations, the background details of scenes like buttons and zippers making sound in the dryer, the mysteriously beautiful sunsets.
Stylistically it is way ahead of its time. Although a major theme is death and dying, it’s also really funny if you make yourself susceptible. I wish I read this sooner!
I loved pretty much everything about this book. It is a warped magnifying glass on much in American culture: consumerism, media, family life, disaster, academia. It was written in 1985 so there is a lot of commentary about TV & radio and I can just imagine what the book would be with the internet: click bait, online shopping, wi-fi signals.
The writing is mesmerizing; it’s attuned to undercurrents and generates weirdly vivid scenes that seep through your skin. I don’t think I’ll forget the Socratic dialogue at the supermarket, the slightly skewed family conversations, the background details of scenes like buttons and zippers making sound in the dryer, the mysteriously beautiful sunsets.
Stylistically it is way ahead of its time. Although a major theme is death and dying, it’s also really funny if you make yourself susceptible. I wish I read this sooner!
alhead300's review against another edition
2.0
Hmmmm… I definitely agree with a lot of what this book is trying to say in regards to the over commercialization and intellectualization of the world. A lot of the satire was funny but it didn’t quite hit me the same way that many of dellilo’a postmodern contemporaries do… maybe this wasn’t a good “first dellilo for me”. We’ll see…
mattrigsby's review against another edition
3.0
I really struggled with this book. I found some parts funny and endearing, but for the most part, things seemed unnecessarily long-winded and trite.
countingwaffles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0