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erint251's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I don't know if the author would see himself — or the semi-fictionalised Sean — this way, but I think this book gives an insight into a certain archetype of guy. The sort of guy who feels left behind by the culture war. The guy who everyone is quick to make their own snap judgements about. The guy who can see clearly through everyone else's bullshit, but doesn't always notice when he's filling the gaps with bullshit of his own. The Joe Rogan fan.
I wasn't unsympathetic to the main character. I appreciated the author's willingness to describe things warts and all, to examine his own dark thoughts. Having the physical medical struggles play out alongside his philosophising worked really well.
I did get used to the author's unique use of slang, but my god calling every woman [adjective] bae was so cringe. Otherwise I actually really liked his use of language, pacing etc. Between the writing style and the subject matter I did see a bit of Irvine Welsh in there.
I can see all the comparisons to Knaussgard and Kerouac, and I do think this book fits into a long tradition of what is easy to dismiss as edgy male navel-gazing. But it was nice to read something that felt refreshingly honest.
(P.s. The mention of a "Sus" Scottish author had me frantically googling some names to make sure they'd never taught in London, aha)
I wasn't unsympathetic to the main character. I appreciated the author's willingness to describe things warts and all, to examine his own dark thoughts. Having the physical medical struggles play out alongside his philosophising worked really well.
I did get used to the author's unique use of slang, but my god calling every woman [adjective] bae was so cringe. Otherwise I actually really liked his use of language, pacing etc. Between the writing style and the subject matter I did see a bit of Irvine Welsh in there.
I can see all the comparisons to Knaussgard and Kerouac, and I do think this book fits into a long tradition of what is easy to dismiss as edgy male navel-gazing. But it was nice to read something that felt refreshingly honest.
(P.s. The mention of a "Sus" Scottish author had me frantically googling some names to make sure they'd never taught in London, aha)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion and Drug use
emtay's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In the tradition of the Japanese I-novel, we follow Sean through multiple seasons of 2018 and 2019 as he confesses to the various ways he has behaved poorly. A self- focused style, Sean’s selfishness can sometimes be all consuming to the reader. We want him to be a better person not because we care, but for our own sake. In this way, we are brought into the role of his friends and family.
As Sean (character) moves on from hoping to publish the walk book into the writing of Fuccboi we see him practice greater self-control and prioritize self-reflection over self-explanation. His practice of writing directly mirrors philosophies explored in the text as to the limits of language and understanding. Sean’s ability to put aside his own ego and engage meaningfully only occurs once he stops explaining why he is the way he is to others. He learns nuance, to a degree.
Sean spends a lot of space and time unpacking the ethics in writing of saying the unsayable. Either because it’s impossible (of the body) or because of its lewdness. Fuccboi toys with this the entire novel. I think of my disdain for Murakami (who is named in this novel for also writing in the I-novel tradition) for this same reason. Some things, while true of the self and therefore valid and natural and good, are not good for me. And that’s valid too.
I found his body rejecting itself as an a adequate turning point in his life as well as the only narrative possibility. I am unsure what else could have been significant enough to prompt him to change. Only a complete physical breakdown could have led to a journey of change and healing. To break the cycles he’s so obsessed with and find a new skin to present to the world. A new body with which to be.
As Sean (character) moves on from hoping to publish the walk book into the writing of Fuccboi we see him practice greater self-control and prioritize self-reflection over self-explanation. His practice of writing directly mirrors philosophies explored in the text as to the limits of language and understanding. Sean’s ability to put aside his own ego and engage meaningfully only occurs once he stops explaining why he is the way he is to others. He learns nuance, to a degree.
Sean spends a lot of space and time unpacking the ethics in writing of saying the unsayable. Either because it’s impossible (of the body) or because of its lewdness. Fuccboi toys with this the entire novel. I think of my disdain for Murakami (who is named in this novel for also writing in the I-novel tradition) for this same reason. Some things, while true of the self and therefore valid and natural and good, are not good for me. And that’s valid too.
I found his body rejecting itself as an a adequate turning point in his life as well as the only narrative possibility. I am unsure what else could have been significant enough to prompt him to change. Only a complete physical breakdown could have led to a journey of change and healing. To break the cycles he’s so obsessed with and find a new skin to present to the world. A new body with which to be.
- Marginalization (societal and self-inflicted)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Drug abuse
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