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marginwalker's review
funny
slow-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
2.5
This book is loathsome, but I guess deliberately so. Being stuck in the stream-of-consciousness of a character like B is, for the most part, unpleasant. I don't think I would've made it through the print version, but the narrator in the audiobook makes this a lot more palatable. His stilted, dry delivery of B's internal "Ha-ha"s at his own weird jokes is one of the bright points of this book.
Still, B's fetishization, racism, sexual harrassment--I wouldn't fault anyone for putting this book down.
The book has its funny moments. A lot of the social commentary doesn't work for me, but the fixation on clowns, comedy duos, and slapstick is where the book excels. Also any time B starts waxing poetic about his love for Judd Apatow. There's a lot of horror woven into the comedy, which I enjoyed. This is also maybe one of the few instances of Comedy That Involves Donald Trump that is actually funny.
The pieces of this book don't really add up to any sort of worthwhile whole in my estimation (once we enter the apocalyptic wasteland forever war section the book becomes a slog), but there are some pretty entertaining moments that reach a fun fever pitch of absurdity.
I'm probably missing content warnings. Maybe just assume all of them.
Still, B's fetishization, racism, sexual harrassment--I wouldn't fault anyone for putting this book down.
The book has its funny moments. A lot of the social commentary doesn't work for me, but the fixation on clowns, comedy duos, and slapstick is where the book excels. Also any time B starts waxing poetic about his love for Judd Apatow. There's a lot of horror woven into the comedy, which I enjoyed. This is also maybe one of the few instances of Comedy That Involves Donald Trump that is actually funny.
The pieces of this book don't really add up to any sort of worthwhile whole in my estimation (once we enter the apocalyptic wasteland forever war section the book becomes a slog), but there are some pretty entertaining moments that reach a fun fever pitch of absurdity.
I'm probably missing content warnings. Maybe just assume all of them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Racism, Antisemitism, Body horror, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Animal death, and Stalking
muffmacguff's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book had some enjoyable elements occasionally but it was mostly long and punishing. I love most of Charlie Kaufman’s movies and I was really looking forward to reading this but now I’m just so grateful to be done with it. It got some rave reviews and I kind of think those reviewers are stupid? Maybe I’m stupid. Either way I don’t understand how anyone could like this entire book. I liked Laura Miller in Slate, I agree with basically her whole review: https://slate.com/culture/2020/07/charlie-kaufman-novel-antkind-book-review.html
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Medical trauma, and Sexism
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