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tweedleli's review against another edition
2.0
i wanted to enjoy this book but i had time b/c of all the bitching. ok, so with a title like portnoy's complaint, i should have known there would be major whining. besides the irritating rants, i found this book somewhat humorous. i found the main character unlikable and slap-worthy. (kinda like confederacy of dunces) and it was fun to do the jewish accents in my head as i read the lines.
i'm interested in trying other roth novels.
i'm interested in trying other roth novels.
mexscrabbler's review against another edition
4.0
This is an eccentric book with an unusual subject matter. It is probably best appreciated when one is a young adult.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed it quite a bit, particularly for its depiction of a highly repressed young man growing up with an over-protective mother. I found a lot I could relate to.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed it quite a bit, particularly for its depiction of a highly repressed young man growing up with an over-protective mother. I found a lot I could relate to.
rebec659's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't make it through this one. Too many inner ramblings, and the exclamation points alone wore me out.
j04nna's review against another edition
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
markludmon's review against another edition
4.0
A 33-year-old Jewish lawyer wrestles with his Jewish identity, the legacy of his childhood and his inability to commit to relationships in one profane howl of angst. Funny and shocking, it is finely crafted, steadily building up and piecing together Alexander Portnoy’s life story. Despite being a civil rights champion, he is misogynistic, racist and homophobic but the black humour and depiction of a Jewish upbringing in Newark makes the story constantly compelling.
communicatrix's review against another edition
3.0
I waver between giving this three and four stars. I can't say that I *really* liked it, although I liked it enough to read it all the way through and to laugh out loud (and from the gut) several times. I suppose I admired it even more than I liked it: this is one honest writer. He doesn't shy away from the truth about anyone, himself (if we're assuming Alex = Phil) included.
I didn't really enjoy the book until he hooks up with his goyishe Alamo, The Monkey. I wanted the entire book to be about their relationship, and for his past to come alive in bits and pieces through the telling of this story. I wanted Alex & The Monkey, and then I wanted On My Own: Monkey, the Sequel.
But I'll take what I can get. And yes, while he's (yet) another Old White Dude, this deserves its spot in the Canon.
I didn't really enjoy the book until he hooks up with his goyishe Alamo, The Monkey. I wanted the entire book to be about their relationship, and for his past to come alive in bits and pieces through the telling of this story. I wanted Alex & The Monkey, and then I wanted On My Own: Monkey, the Sequel.
But I'll take what I can get. And yes, while he's (yet) another Old White Dude, this deserves its spot in the Canon.
jonathanelias's review against another edition
3.75
Jüdische konservative, schräge Eltern. Sexsüchtiger Hauptprotagonist. Beziehung zu "Äffchen". Alles ein Dialog mit seinem Psychotherapeut.
Ganz gut insg.