Reviews

The Adulterants by Joe Dunthorne

ursa_arlo'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

k_a_ewan's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

horfhorfhorf's review against another edition

2.0

I couldn't finish this - the neuroses of self-centered thirty-something's is not a topic I need fiction to wade through.

salttank's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

Started off interesting but then I didn’t really like the characters 

elenid's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

booksnpunks's review against another edition

3.0

This was really, really funny. Joe Dunthorne is amazing at writing books about people that make you laugh. It's a light read but really worth it because I think he's really underrated as a British author.

balletbookworm's review against another edition

3.0

Lord, grant me the self-confidence of a mediocre white dude.

I think this novel is supposed to be satirical, but it really just comes off as the narrative of some sad-sack idiot who isn’t even as remotely woke as he thinks he is. He kind of deserves everything that happens.

Thanks Tin House Galley Club for the ARC

micahhortonhallett's review against another edition

3.0

The adulterants was technically proficient, and carried a twist about the mid mark that I did not see coming, but ultimately I finished with a meh. A deep soul meh. I can deal with an unpleasant protagonist- even one who refuses to learn from anything that he does, but this book has NOTHING else. It was in my local library in the comedy section. I feel that it was misshelved. I winced. Repeatedly, but there was not one chuckle. Not a chortle. Not even a wry knowing smile. I kept waiting for it to get better. It did not. If the novel had been actively bad, that might have even been better. But it wasn't actively bad, it left me feeling like a stone in a stream that has had a patch of beige water run past. It was banal, then it was gone.

danidsfavereads's review against another edition

3.0

*Thank you to Tin House for providing me with this review copy through their Galley Club*

This book was weird, but I didn't hate it. That is my one sentence review, but here is more.

This book is a strange story about Ray who makes a series of bad choices during the summer of 2011. It follows him, his wife, and their group of friends, who all haven't seemed to really grow up. The story is told completely through his perspective and voice. I found myself laughing at a few points and also just wondering how this so-called adult could make such horrible decisions.

This book is not necessarily one I would pick up on y own, but I am glad that I read it. It was a short and fast read (at least for me).

aktunmore's review against another edition

3.0

I don't know how to describe this book. It felt as if nothing really happened, and yet a lot did. I read a few reviews before hand and they seemed to be all over the place so I was intrigued. I think the best way to describe the main character Ray is that you find yourself wanting to know what insanity happens to him, and you partially feel bad for him, even though you know he deserves it. I think the way in which it was written brings all those emotions out. Overall, a solid 3 stars, but I'm not going to pick it up and re-read it.