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scavengercat's review against another edition
3.0
I almost gave this two stars because there were parts I didn't think I'd make it through. But there were also parts that I loved (and the ending was right), so I gave three.
alisonhori's review against another edition
4.0
I am really not sure how to rank this book or how to describe it or even what it is really about. I think I liked it....parts of it were very clever and really fun to read and I think overall the humor did successfully balance the overall depression or maybe despair that surrounds this book. I was expecting a funny book as the rec's I read ahead of time seemed to focus on the humor...but overall, this is a book about surviving the suicide of one's parent, about what is identity (and identity theft), about people searching to find a family or a tribe or anywhere to fit in and belong It is about the appeal of cults, of religion, of tradition. I think it is also about living with at least a touch of mental illness. Strange books...parts of it were really relatable and wonderful, parts left me really cold. The obsessive nature of the main character was fascinating....the endless religious diatribes were uncomfortable to read. My very, very favorite part were the main characters discussions with Betzy...funny and touching. Very interesting book.
elenamolinariiiii's review against another edition
2.0
i guess if you're into endless pages of made up religions this might be for you but to me this is just wasted potential from my boy's amazing pen
dansquire's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jacksontibet's review against another edition
3.0
So very much disappointing. Ferris' first book was one that I enjoyed a great deal, capturing a second hand POV with a tone that drifted naturally and realistically through a whole gamut of genuine emotion. His second book was an absolutely harrowing take on mental illness or mental collapse. This is nothing special and offers not much. Modern life has too many cell phone addicts? That's your big take away? We have to go to a third-world country and play cricket with small children to brush off our stasis? Did I somehow accidentally read "Eat, Pray, Love?" Where's the guy who I thought so brilliant after those first two books? Maybe he got that second-album syndrome with his third book or something, but this dentist with his lack of inertia and his obsessive "cunt gripp[ing]" (his word, not mine) annoyed more than enthralled me.
fermin's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was talking to friends about the books we were all reading and I couldn't really say what this book was about. "Someone impersonates the protagonist on the internet and.... I'm not sure what happens next but I haven't read that far". I'm displeased to announce that after having reading it, that picture isn't any clearer. I could say it's a beautifully written book about identity and belonging, but then I wouldn't be sure on what it has to say about those things. I would then say it's a highly introspective book filled with the rants of a man that may be going off the deep end and embracing what could be a long forgotten identity or could be a cult.
I'm left with a sour aftertaste, for no matter how I look at it, it feels like a reaffirmation of the status quo, a novel whose pages are filled with religious musings only for religion to serve as a mere stabilizer. By the end of the book the protagonist is leading essentially the same life, only he's now content in it. That sounds nice, but after spending so much time in his head I truly wonder whether he should be. The title had me expecting something different.
Ultimately, I have to admit that Paul O'Rourke is a wonderfully constructed character, I can't remember another book that had me so engaged with the inner monologue of someone so... unlike me. I was rushing past all of the red flags. And speaking of, there's plenty of mentions and discussions around the Jews and the state of Israel that on today's day and age are hard to take lightly. I guess that's par for the course, it's a book that weaves endless provocative ideas into an underwhelming and lukewarm package.
I'm left with a sour aftertaste, for no matter how I look at it, it feels like a reaffirmation of the status quo, a novel whose pages are filled with religious musings only for religion to serve as a mere stabilizer. By the end of the book the protagonist is leading essentially the same life, only he's now content in it. That sounds nice, but after spending so much time in his head I truly wonder whether he should be. The title had me expecting something different.
Ultimately, I have to admit that Paul O'Rourke is a wonderfully constructed character, I can't remember another book that had me so engaged with the inner monologue of someone so... unlike me. I was rushing past all of the red flags. And speaking of, there's plenty of mentions and discussions around the Jews and the state of Israel that on today's day and age are hard to take lightly. I guess that's par for the course, it's a book that weaves endless provocative ideas into an underwhelming and lukewarm package.
laila4343's review against another edition
4.0
*I won an advanced reader copy of this through a Goodreads giveaway.*
Paul O'Rourke is not a terribly likable person - but he IS a funny, highly entertaining, and sympathetic character. A dedicated dentist and SUPER-dedicated Red Sox fan, he's pretty depressed about, well, everything. His struggles with the MEANING OF LIFE will resonate with every thinking person, I believe. He calls smart phones "me-machines," which I loved. He has no online presence. Until one day, he DOES. A website for his office, Twitter account, Facebook page - but he didn't create any of them. And they all have these strange Biblical-sounding quotations on them.
As he tries to figure out what the heck is happening and who is behind this, he's also trying to come up with some sort of life he can live with, some sort of reason to keep getting up in the morning.
This was a page-turner for me. It's also a super-relevant examination of our modern culture - the isolation and loneliness that comes with so-called "social" media. A really good read.
Paul O'Rourke is not a terribly likable person - but he IS a funny, highly entertaining, and sympathetic character. A dedicated dentist and SUPER-dedicated Red Sox fan, he's pretty depressed about, well, everything. His struggles with the MEANING OF LIFE will resonate with every thinking person, I believe. He calls smart phones "me-machines," which I loved. He has no online presence. Until one day, he DOES. A website for his office, Twitter account, Facebook page - but he didn't create any of them. And they all have these strange Biblical-sounding quotations on them.
As he tries to figure out what the heck is happening and who is behind this, he's also trying to come up with some sort of life he can live with, some sort of reason to keep getting up in the morning.
This was a page-turner for me. It's also a super-relevant examination of our modern culture - the isolation and loneliness that comes with so-called "social" media. A really good read.
chaosmavin's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It is the first time I laughed out loud well engaged with a story in a very long time. Campbell Scott is the reader and he does an amazing job as always. The book centers around a disgruntled Manhattan dentist in his late 30s struggling with the meaning of life and connection. He is at times an exaggeration of cynicism and yet the character is so brutally honest you can't help but identify with him. his deep need and search for meaning and connection is one i think everyone can relate to. He gets entangled in an interesting spiritual/religious origin mystery which takes the book in a the direction I didn't expect but thoroughly enjoyed. I haven't read much about the author but I wouldn't be surprised if Ferris is himself an atheist. It's always interesting to me when I read a book by a self-proclaimed atheist such as Pullman and in the end it only confirms in me atheists often have spiritual readings they just I really hate religion… Which makes sense as it's a pretty oppressive dogmatic practice. Read the book because the book recommendation site said if you like Fargo you'll love to Rise Again at a Decent Hour... I'm not sure I see the connection but I did really enjoy the book.
I just read some other reviews and this is clearly a you will love it or not book. I want to add one of the biggest complaints people said was it was dense. I did not find it dense at all..and I was intrigued by all of the historical/Biblical/Tora references...but if your not into that sort of thing you best find another book.
I just read some other reviews and this is clearly a you will love it or not book. I want to add one of the biggest complaints people said was it was dense. I did not find it dense at all..and I was intrigued by all of the historical/Biblical/Tora references...but if your not into that sort of thing you best find another book.
cschulein's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0