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baronessekat's review
4.0
For the actual story/writing/lack of punctuation = 1 star
For the ongoing commentary through the annotation = 5 stars
Oh my dear sweet ... what the &*(&?!?
I have been a fan of the podcast since Season One. The premise: Jamie's retired father asked him to read over a story he self-published called "Belinda Blinked". Little did Jamie realize that the story was a work of atrocious erotica that just barely avoids the "PWP" (Plot, What Plot) categorization of erotic literature.
Belinda is the newly hired Director of Sales for Steeles Pots and Pans. And this entire book takes place in maybe the course of a week where she loses her clothes without a second thought, boinking anybody who would stand still (or not she's not picky).
Not only is the premise horrible, but Rocky Flintstone (the pseudonym Jamie's father is writing under) has no grasp of proof-reading, editing or human anatomy for that matter. Long, run-on sentences, punctuation that is placed randomly, and sexual acts that are just NOT POSSIBLE.
The only thing that saves it all is the annotations that Jamie and his friends make throughout the entire book. Having listened to 4 seasons of the podcast (each season is a new book in the series) I can tell which of the commenters wrote what notes.
The notes, comments, cultural and linguistic insights that are made throughout the book had me laughing out loud so much that at one point I thought I was going to pull a muscle. There are just some things that you cannot get across in the spoken form because, as Jamie reads the book in the podcast, he natural adds things like periods and commas where they belong. You don't see the semi-colon just hanging out there, backwards elipses for no reason, lack of quotation marks, etc.
In short, had I stumbled upon Belinda Blinked 1, as an e-book, I would not have made it past the title of the first chapter, let along be engrossed enough to be waiting for Chapter 2 of book 5.
If you are a fan of the podcast (and if you are not, why not? It's hysterical) you will like this version of book one.
For the ongoing commentary through the annotation = 5 stars
Oh my dear sweet ... what the &*(&?!?
I have been a fan of the podcast since Season One. The premise: Jamie's retired father asked him to read over a story he self-published called "Belinda Blinked". Little did Jamie realize that the story was a work of atrocious erotica that just barely avoids the "PWP" (Plot, What Plot) categorization of erotic literature.
Belinda is the newly hired Director of Sales for Steeles Pots and Pans. And this entire book takes place in maybe the course of a week where she loses her clothes without a second thought, boinking anybody who would stand still (or not she's not picky).
Not only is the premise horrible, but Rocky Flintstone (the pseudonym Jamie's father is writing under) has no grasp of proof-reading, editing or human anatomy for that matter. Long, run-on sentences, punctuation that is placed randomly, and sexual acts that are just NOT POSSIBLE.
The only thing that saves it all is the annotations that Jamie and his friends make throughout the entire book. Having listened to 4 seasons of the podcast (each season is a new book in the series) I can tell which of the commenters wrote what notes.
The notes, comments, cultural and linguistic insights that are made throughout the book had me laughing out loud so much that at one point I thought I was going to pull a muscle. There are just some things that you cannot get across in the spoken form because, as Jamie reads the book in the podcast, he natural adds things like periods and commas where they belong. You don't see the semi-colon just hanging out there, backwards elipses for no reason, lack of quotation marks, etc.
In short, had I stumbled upon Belinda Blinked 1, as an e-book, I would not have made it past the title of the first chapter, let along be engrossed enough to be waiting for Chapter 2 of book 5.
If you are a fan of the podcast (and if you are not, why not? It's hysterical) you will like this version of book one.
kaseii's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is something that’d make you feel good! Its funny, interesting and absurd in the best way possible!
The main character is freaking amazing, sassy and funny- mostly in monologue!
Reading this along with the podcast makes it even funnier!
This is a piece of art!! And it will make your day better!
I absolutely loved it
Highly recommend
The main character is freaking amazing, sassy and funny- mostly in monologue!
Reading this along with the podcast makes it even funnier!
This is a piece of art!! And it will make your day better!
I absolutely loved it
Highly recommend
zoe2198's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
courtneycourt's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
oryx_and_crake's review
5.0
Perfect isolation read. Very funny and simple. Thanks for letting me forget the world's and my own troubles for a bit!
boipoka's review
5.0
Personally, I loved the book - it ticked all the right boxes and was exactly what I expected! It was hilarious, laugh out loud funny. The scribbling from the 3 podcasters, the "author's notes" which really raised more questions than they answered, the fun filled activities, the apparently serious reading club discussions and character studies - everything accentuated the hilarious nature of this 'novel'. Even the quiz at the end made me chuckle. It was the complete MDWAP package!
But, I am already a huge fan of the podcast. If I wasn't, I am not sure I would have liked the book. The presentation really isn't suited to someone who doesn't know about the podcast - the scribbling make it hard to read, and some jokes are funny only because my inner voice read them in the podcast tone.
For example, my favorite quote/comment that from this book - at some point Rocky describes someone admiring Belinda's swaying ass. Now wiggling your ass is legitimately supposed to be erotic. But there was a comment on this line, which I read in Alice Levine's dry, deadpan voice (the one which always fools you into thinking she has a serious point to make) - "Anyone else thinking of camels here?". I laughed out loud, literally. And I haven't stopped chuckling hours later. And yet, if it wasn't for (imaginary) Alice's delivery, I wouldn't have found this comment funny at all - thought of it as needlessly pedantic.
So if you love the podcast, you'll love the book. If you haven't heard the podcast, don't read the book. Go listen to it first. You'll enjoy the book a whole lot more. If you didn't like the podcast? Why are you here again? Oh, to read a book that can inspire shagging? Wrong place bruh.
PS - On a more serious note, probably more serious than this book deserves - Rocky Flintstone blew me away with the sheer progressive nature of his opinions. I mean this is a 60+ year old grandpa - yet in his imaginary world, pansexuality is the norm, women enjoying sex with multiple partners no less is nothing to be commented about, all sorts of kinks are welcome (leather kink maybe a little more than others), and men of all body types are treated more or less equal (and if you have heard the latest season of the podcast, Mistress SweetJuice has the kind of female body we could do with seeing a bit more in eroticas). So if he is anywhere as liberal in his real life, hats off to him. And Jamie? You are lucky to have such a father.
Read for the challenge prompts -
PopSugar Reading Challenge - A debut novel (well, it was the debut novel for all the named authors, so *shrug* Doesn't say has to be a good debut)
Around the Year in 52 Books - 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #2 Something New (I bought a brand new copy, not to mention the idea of a novel "annotated" in the way this book is, is pretty novel)
But, I am already a huge fan of the podcast. If I wasn't, I am not sure I would have liked the book. The presentation really isn't suited to someone who doesn't know about the podcast - the scribbling make it hard to read, and some jokes are funny only because my inner voice read them in the podcast tone.
For example, my favorite quote/comment that from this book - at some point Rocky describes someone admiring Belinda's swaying ass. Now wiggling your ass is legitimately supposed to be erotic. But there was a comment on this line, which I read in Alice Levine's dry, deadpan voice (the one which always fools you into thinking she has a serious point to make) - "Anyone else thinking of camels here?". I laughed out loud, literally. And I haven't stopped chuckling hours later. And yet, if it wasn't for (imaginary) Alice's delivery, I wouldn't have found this comment funny at all - thought of it as needlessly pedantic.
So if you love the podcast, you'll love the book. If you haven't heard the podcast, don't read the book. Go listen to it first. You'll enjoy the book a whole lot more. If you didn't like the podcast? Why are you here again? Oh, to read a book that can inspire shagging? Wrong place bruh.
PS - On a more serious note, probably more serious than this book deserves - Rocky Flintstone blew me away with the sheer progressive nature of his opinions. I mean this is a 60+ year old grandpa - yet in his imaginary world, pansexuality is the norm, women enjoying sex with multiple partners no less is nothing to be commented about, all sorts of kinks are welcome (leather kink maybe a little more than others), and men of all body types are treated more or less equal (and if you have heard the latest season of the podcast, Mistress SweetJuice has the kind of female body we could do with seeing a bit more in eroticas). So if he is anywhere as liberal in his real life, hats off to him. And Jamie? You are lucky to have such a father.
Read for the challenge prompts -
PopSugar Reading Challenge - A debut novel (well, it was the debut novel for all the named authors, so *shrug* Doesn't say has to be a good debut)
Around the Year in 52 Books - 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #2 Something New (I bought a brand new copy, not to mention the idea of a novel "annotated" in the way this book is, is pretty novel)
kathrynwardle's review
4.0
The podcast is obviously better but it’s been a few years since I listened to it and so this was a v funny reminder of exactly how ridiculous this book is
clemjm's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0