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book_concierge's review against another edition
1.0
Digital audio read by Dion Graham
Water the Flowers!
I had heard about this memoir when it first came out and had it on my TBR ever since. I was intrigued by a book written by a young man who took on the responsibility for raising his much younger brother after both their parents died within a few weeks of one another. I expected some tragic, emotionally charged scenes and some sense of enlightenment or inspiration. I read another book by Eggers and really enjoyed it, so when the audio finally came in from the library, I was pleased to finally get to this on our long drive to Texas.
It’s clear that Eggers is intelligent. Obviously the circumstances that resulted in his guardianship of his baby brother were tragic, and every older sibling’s nightmare. I should have read the reviews by Goodreads members before I decided to finally read / listen to the book.
I found Eggers self-absorbed, immature, irresponsible and totally lacking in any insight. I really pity his little brother who might have been better off raised by wolves.
The most entertaining part of the book is the forward/preface/acknowledgments/copyright notice … which on the audiobook are read at the very end. Had this come first, I might have gone into the book expecting something more on the lines of satire, and (while satire is not my favorite genre) had different expectations and a different take on the work. But I went into it expecting a memoir of a tragic and difficult time in a young man’s life, and some reflection / insight / growth in character as a result. Too bad for me. Well, the preface,etc gets him one star.
Dion Graham does a reasonably good job reading the audiobook. Not his fault that the F bomb is used so often or that the writer gives us a manic narrative. (Not helped by my decision to listen at double speed to get through the 13 hours faster.)
Water the Flowers!
I had heard about this memoir when it first came out and had it on my TBR ever since. I was intrigued by a book written by a young man who took on the responsibility for raising his much younger brother after both their parents died within a few weeks of one another. I expected some tragic, emotionally charged scenes and some sense of enlightenment or inspiration. I read another book by Eggers and really enjoyed it, so when the audio finally came in from the library, I was pleased to finally get to this on our long drive to Texas.
It’s clear that Eggers is intelligent. Obviously the circumstances that resulted in his guardianship of his baby brother were tragic, and every older sibling’s nightmare. I should have read the reviews by Goodreads members before I decided to finally read / listen to the book.
I found Eggers self-absorbed, immature, irresponsible and totally lacking in any insight. I really pity his little brother who might have been better off raised by wolves.
The most entertaining part of the book is the forward/preface/acknowledgments/copyright notice … which on the audiobook are read at the very end. Had this come first, I might have gone into the book expecting something more on the lines of satire, and (while satire is not my favorite genre) had different expectations and a different take on the work. But I went into it expecting a memoir of a tragic and difficult time in a young man’s life, and some reflection / insight / growth in character as a result. Too bad for me. Well, the preface,etc gets him one star.
Dion Graham does a reasonably good job reading the audiobook. Not his fault that the F bomb is used so often or that the writer gives us a manic narrative. (Not helped by my decision to listen at double speed to get through the 13 hours faster.)
libellum_aphrodite's review against another edition
3.0
In the "Rules and Suggestions for Enjoyment of this Book," Eggers says "5. Matter of fact, the first three or four chapters are all some of you might want to bother with. That gets you to page 109 or so, which is a nice length, a nice novella sort of length. Those first four chapters stick to a one general subject, something manageable, which is more than what can be said for the book thereafter." This was a fairly accurate statement. Those first four chapters, covering the deaths of his parents, particularly his mother, are very tight, well-executed, and moving; the rest of the book goes in fits and bursts of interestingness and quality. There are a few character traits of his various family members introduced in that latter section that do really heighten the initial story, and I'm glad I read on to learn them: [spoilers!] Eggers' father's drinking and eruptive anger; his mother's means of coping with that situation; the difference in the two's parenting styles and relationship with their kids; how those styles influence Eggers raising Toph. Other than these points, the exploits of Might magazine were not very compelling and the friend group around the magazine was minimally developed.
Stylistically, the stream of conscious narrative was quite captivating. I particularly enjoyed the device where Toph or other friends seamlessly start speaking Eggers' inner dialog aloud to him. This is superbly executed so that the shift occurs with the reader hardly realizing it, but without being confusing.
Stylistically, the stream of conscious narrative was quite captivating. I particularly enjoyed the device where Toph or other friends seamlessly start speaking Eggers' inner dialog aloud to him. This is superbly executed so that the shift occurs with the reader hardly realizing it, but without being confusing.
kelly_collins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
celtic_oracle's review against another edition
1.0
This book had some initial promise - Eggers does know how to write. His description of watching his mother die from cancer was so evocative, I almost had to stop listening - too many vivid memories from watching loved ones go.
Unfortunately, when he strays from this type of straight-reporting style (his description of early Silicon Valley was also fascinating), everything falls apart. The writing moves to a more stream-of-consciousness format that results in repetition and thoughts of "where the hell is he going with this?" He also has a habit of having secondary characters break character, so he can thoroughly explain the symbolism that the reader is so obviously missing.
Finally, Eggers consistently comes off as a total jerk - a friend is in hospital and all he can think about is having sex with another friend? Someone please tell me all guys aren't really like this.
Unfortunately, when he strays from this type of straight-reporting style (his description of early Silicon Valley was also fascinating), everything falls apart. The writing moves to a more stream-of-consciousness format that results in repetition and thoughts of "where the hell is he going with this?" He also has a habit of having secondary characters break character, so he can thoroughly explain the symbolism that the reader is so obviously missing.
Finally, Eggers consistently comes off as a total jerk - a friend is in hospital and all he can think about is having sex with another friend? Someone please tell me all guys aren't really like this.
isaarusilor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
corprew's review against another edition
1.0
Although I like almost everything else DE has written, and like McSweeny's, etc... etc..., I found this book to be a heartbreaking work of staggering tedium.
cpweiden's review against another edition
5.0
Just a fantastic memior that defies convictions. Changed the way I think about writing. And he went to U of I for a minute! Look for his description of the South Farms....