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emjay2021's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the first story. The nine year old narrator reminded me of the narrators from the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close.
The rest of the stories...well, they ranged from mildly amusing to meh. But I'm glad I read the first story. It was worth checking out the book from the library just to read that one.
The rest of the stories...well, they ranged from mildly amusing to meh. But I'm glad I read the first story. It was worth checking out the book from the library just to read that one.
cat_thecatlady's review against another edition
2.0
if this wasn't 90% hipster crap, it could have been a really good book
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2015/07/02/book-review-35-bream-gives-me-hiccups-by-jesse-eisenberg/
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2015/07/02/book-review-35-bream-gives-me-hiccups-by-jesse-eisenberg/
joyousreads132's review against another edition
4.0
I have this prejudice against celebrities who writes novels. Especially pop stars and reality tv stars. There have been a few books that I simply laugh at whenever I see them in the bookstore (see: Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s YA book). I have this urge to shake the publishers who were intent on destroying the industry by signing these “so-called writers”. Who the heck do you think you’re kidding? Your blatant money-grabbing stint is what’s going to ruin us all. Ugh. But that’s another can of worms for another day.
Not all celebrities are poseurs, though. I can name a few who are writers in their right: Steve Martin, Woody Allen, and James Franco even. Jesse Eisenberg is one that I consider to be a multi-talented actor whom I didn’t know also writes on the side (mostly screenplays). The good news is, he knows a thing or two about writing.
Bream Gives Me Hiccups is a collection of short stories written in the most varied and quirky perspectives. Some of them funny, some of them not-so. The stories are not connected; one has nothing to do with the other, but he manages to give each story its own life.
The first story is about a nine-year-old food reviewer who is dealing with life as he lives it with his divorced mother and how she copes with being a single parent (lots of alcohol and frivolous dining experience all on her ex’s dime, apparently.). He writes dining reviews; most of which depends not on culinary merits (he’s 9 after all), but on how it correlates with his day to day life. Hidden behind the humour is a heart-tugging realization that the reader sees how this boy cope with his broken home.
There are 28 short stories in total; stories that are funny, engaging, whip-smart, quirky and bizarre. Eisenberg knows how to manipulate the readers into going along with his antics. He also has the uncanny ability to write interesting dialogues that makes for an easy read. But throughout the narrative, you can’t help but hear Jesse’s voice.
There really is not much to say about this collection other than I hope he’ll consider writing a full length novel in the future.
Not all celebrities are poseurs, though. I can name a few who are writers in their right: Steve Martin, Woody Allen, and James Franco even. Jesse Eisenberg is one that I consider to be a multi-talented actor whom I didn’t know also writes on the side (mostly screenplays). The good news is, he knows a thing or two about writing.
Bream Gives Me Hiccups is a collection of short stories written in the most varied and quirky perspectives. Some of them funny, some of them not-so. The stories are not connected; one has nothing to do with the other, but he manages to give each story its own life.
The first story is about a nine-year-old food reviewer who is dealing with life as he lives it with his divorced mother and how she copes with being a single parent (lots of alcohol and frivolous dining experience all on her ex’s dime, apparently.). He writes dining reviews; most of which depends not on culinary merits (he’s 9 after all), but on how it correlates with his day to day life. Hidden behind the humour is a heart-tugging realization that the reader sees how this boy cope with his broken home.
There are 28 short stories in total; stories that are funny, engaging, whip-smart, quirky and bizarre. Eisenberg knows how to manipulate the readers into going along with his antics. He also has the uncanny ability to write interesting dialogues that makes for an easy read. But throughout the narrative, you can’t help but hear Jesse’s voice.
There really is not much to say about this collection other than I hope he’ll consider writing a full length novel in the future.
snuffbby's review against another edition
5.0
i loved this book. i really felt it was written with so much heart and honesty and humor. i was laughing out loud one moment then wiping away a stray tear the next. i was particularly fond of the first collection of stories, restaurant reviews by a nine year old boy who's attempting to understand his relationship with his alcoholic mom. this hit home for me and i found myself relating to the kid. i would absolutely pick up another book of Jesse's if he ever wrote one.
oviyabalan's review against another edition
3.0
Being one of his biggest fan, I really wanted to read this book as soon as possible. Inspite of my eagerness I just read it now.
The book started with some real good stories of a young kid and his mother. I really had a moment or two where I hated her for being an awful mother.
The book then travelled to depict the stories of a teenager, old guy, old woman, a bully etc. The ideas were fresh and neat. The writing was funny and interesting. The book as a whole failed to make me feel the same way. I could have finished this book in one go. The over imposed word plays and sometimes avoidable interactions were just not helpful.
Its still a fun read. It would have been great if better stories were covered.
The book started with some real good stories of a young kid and his mother. I really had a moment or two where I hated her for being an awful mother.
The book then travelled to depict the stories of a teenager, old guy, old woman, a bully etc. The ideas were fresh and neat. The writing was funny and interesting. The book as a whole failed to make me feel the same way. I could have finished this book in one go. The over imposed word plays and sometimes avoidable interactions were just not helpful.
Its still a fun read. It would have been great if better stories were covered.
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
4.0
I'm completely blown away by his writing style. This book is fun, intelligent and so honest. We can feel how much Jesse knows these characters. He truly cares about them. For many times I could see a little bit of myself or of someone I know in each story. That's why I'm giving "Bream Gives Me Hiccups" 4 out of 5 stars.
*Many thanks to Grove Atlantic for providing an ARC!*
*Many thanks to Grove Atlantic for providing an ARC!*
sandrareilly513's review against another edition
4.0
(ARC from BEA 2015)
Okay, so this is yet another celebrity's attempt at writing, which seems to be the "new thing" those crazy kids are doing nowadays. I have to say, though, that this was significantly better than most other celebrity - fictional - writing that I've read. Eisenberg definitely beats out B.J. Novak's One More Thing, to be honest. Eisenberg's Bream Gives Me Hiccups starts off strong with a funny, yet depressing, look at life after divorce from a kid's POV. Throw in a disturbingly humorous chapter from a female college freshman adjusting to dorm life (upsetting in the fact that most was outlandish yet I could still relate to it -- yikes!), text messages between brother and sister, a few short sports - themed essays, and lots of irony and hypocrisy, and you have an entertaining winner!
Okay, so this is yet another celebrity's attempt at writing, which seems to be the "new thing" those crazy kids are doing nowadays. I have to say, though, that this was significantly better than most other celebrity - fictional - writing that I've read. Eisenberg definitely beats out B.J. Novak's One More Thing, to be honest. Eisenberg's Bream Gives Me Hiccups starts off strong with a funny, yet depressing, look at life after divorce from a kid's POV. Throw in a disturbingly humorous chapter from a female college freshman adjusting to dorm life (upsetting in the fact that most was outlandish yet I could still relate to it -- yikes!), text messages between brother and sister, a few short sports - themed essays, and lots of irony and hypocrisy, and you have an entertaining winner!
sarahabboub's review against another edition
1.0
I will give it one star because i only like the first short story about the little kid reviewing the restaurants, other than that it was a waste of time.