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pranaysomayajula's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ewelshie's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It is at it's core the ramblings of a generic white man living in New York coping with anxiety and imposter syndrome. Many digressions about meeting quintessentially New York middle class eccentrics and a bit heavy on "and this is the hot woman I was sleeping with or wanted to sleep with" style female characters.
But Ben Lermans prose and the structure of the book still makes for an engaging read.
But Ben Lermans prose and the structure of the book still makes for an engaging read.
alisonhori's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fun and witty and engaging and I liked the play of non-fiction and fiction and the ideas it played with. It just clicked for me and made me giggle and empathize with the main character and I was just with him all the way. I didn't really get with Alex as much but that was OK. Worst part of this book was the title...can't imagine what they were thinking with the title. I enjoyed this author so much I might even check out some of his poems...
amoskane's review
2.0
Meh. I made myself finish it, but really: who cares if he is able to have sex with his best friend? I kept hoping it would get better, but the octopi would have had to been main characters for that. Ya, the soft little octopi that he ate. Dude is a dud.
mariana_analog's review
Occasionally like reading a series of crossword puzzle clues. Made me want to watch Back to the Future. Excellent.
amusedamelia's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you, Housing Works on 5th Ave for putting this book on my path. Maybe the best book I've read since Bastard out of Carolina which iirc I found at the same Housing Works.
truittclark's review
2.0
No clear thread tying everything together, but not separated enough to be individual short stories. Lerner's thesaurus definitely got a workout for this.