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dnaylo_n_books's review against another edition
1.0
Only got to page 100, because I refuse to let men whine to me about how awful they are. I fucking know. Shut up.
kmarker's review against another edition
3.0
Well-written but I couldn't stand the men. As advertised.
morgan_elise's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
erincataldi's review against another edition
2.0
After finishing the mammoth "Infinite Jest" I thought I would try reading (listening) to some of David Foster Wallace's short stories. While not a bad collection, it certainly wasn't my cup of tea either. Some of the short stories I really got into, the first one being my favorite, but as I continued listening, some of the stories lost their luster. They were all beautifully written, but some of the plots and characters I could not get into. It happens! Even though I didn't love this short story collection about "hideous men" I am still a huge fan of David Foster Wallace's work and prose and it won't deter me from reading more of his stuff.
sweetpeasis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ericfheiman's review against another edition
5.0
I'm usually not a fan of overly formalist fiction and the ambition of Wallace's signature novel "Infinite Jest" was constantly undermined by his seemingly desperate need to impress with writerly pyrotechnics.
Maybe Wallace's work is better in short bursts, or I'm a more patient and seasoned reader now, but once I got back into the David Foster groove this book simply blew me away with its masterful balance of formal innovation, big ideas, and emotionally rich and well-styled prose. Not all the pieces succeed completely, but every one reveals how hard Wallace was working to create a new kind of fiction writing that grapples with contemporary society's many issues, in a very real and human way.
I'm sure his recent suicide also colored my reaction to the work here—I couldn't help but think of his own personal struggle with depression and the weight of the world in every one of "Hideous Men"'s stories. It (almost) makes me want to go back and grapple with "Infinite Jest" all over again.
Maybe Wallace's work is better in short bursts, or I'm a more patient and seasoned reader now, but once I got back into the David Foster groove this book simply blew me away with its masterful balance of formal innovation, big ideas, and emotionally rich and well-styled prose. Not all the pieces succeed completely, but every one reveals how hard Wallace was working to create a new kind of fiction writing that grapples with contemporary society's many issues, in a very real and human way.
I'm sure his recent suicide also colored my reaction to the work here—I couldn't help but think of his own personal struggle with depression and the weight of the world in every one of "Hideous Men"'s stories. It (almost) makes me want to go back and grapple with "Infinite Jest" all over again.
cyding's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
breadorcheese's review against another edition
3.0
Initially a four star rating when I read the first half years ago. Perhaps due to being more learned, well read, or change of attitude (or a mixture of all three) the book doesn't hold up anymore now that I've finished it. Some of it was still enjoyable, but I found myself only being able to handle his kind of writing for so long before I had a hard time continuing.