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barker563's review against another edition
1.0
Sean Penn, you should stick to acting.
This book read like the political rambling of a 10th grader who thinks they have the makings of the next great American novel. Over use of alliteration, assonance, and platitudes? Check. Overly preachy with an "edgy" storyline that borders on the absurd? Check.
This book read like the political rambling of a 10th grader who thinks they have the makings of the next great American novel. Over use of alliteration, assonance, and platitudes? Check. Overly preachy with an "edgy" storyline that borders on the absurd? Check.
samnopal's review against another edition
1.0
Honestly unsure why I powered through this book. It's extremely disjointed and nonsensical. The "author" (cough Sean Penn cough) goes off on random tangents that are cringe worthy, coupled with the multiple times pop culture ephemera were inserted into the story made the story unenjoyable.
This gem also happened in the reading:
"What are you doing?" the man said.
[female voice interrupts]
Translation from the Jew Speak to "What are you doing?"
That's not exactly how it happened but it's close enough. I get that maybe it's supposed to be funny or transgressive, but it's neither.
This gem also happened in the reading:
"What are you doing?" the man said.
[female voice interrupts]
Translation from the Jew Speak to "What are you doing?"
That's not exactly how it happened but it's close enough. I get that maybe it's supposed to be funny or transgressive, but it's neither.
annaoutloud's review against another edition
1.0
Oh, dear. A strange, rambling mess of a political protest disguised as an attempt of a novel.
readmorebooks's review against another edition
2.0
Great narration with interesting writing. Story was bizarre.
lynch626's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book because it was short, promoted on Bill Maher, and narrated on audible by Sean Penn. It starts as a story of a recluse named Bob Honey, whose job is cleaning septic tanks. We get a glimpse into his strange mind and ultimately the book hints at his fears and apprehensions for the upcoming (2016) election. This is supposed to be a political allegory of this election cycle, but I didn't quite see the strong connection.
After researching this book further, it seems like there is a conspiracy theory out there that Sean Penn may be the actual author of the book. Although he claims to have gotten the manuscript from Pappy Pariah, no one has been able to reach Pariah or confirm his identity yet....
After researching this book further, it seems like there is a conspiracy theory out there that Sean Penn may be the actual author of the book. Although he claims to have gotten the manuscript from Pappy Pariah, no one has been able to reach Pariah or confirm his identity yet....
sbaunsgard's review against another edition
1.0
Pedantic fact: silicone burns in a super uninteresting way, which might come as a surprise after reading this: https://youtu.be/Zy64pyL2TNA
I think the nicest thing I can say is that I would read a book about Bob's ex-wife if literally anyone else wrote it.
I think the nicest thing I can say is that I would read a book about Bob's ex-wife if literally anyone else wrote it.
rbz39's review against another edition
1.0
This book has an audience of 1 person, and that person is Sean Penn. Good god, this was a struggle to read. Thanks to 372 Pages for making it lighthearted and bearable!
Do not read this book.
Do not read this book.
nikkiethereader's review against another edition
2.0
I can't really give a description of this book. I couldn't make sense of it. I guess neighbors were complaining about this guy because he acted funny. It sparked the interest of the police and a journalist.
This story kind of jumbled together and didn't make much sense. It was very choppy and it bounced all over the place with no warning. The thing is, I feel like this could be a very good story if it had been done properly. With a little structure and rewriting, maybe it would be improved upon. There were just too many questions left at the end of this story that it was nerve wracking.
The voice actors were okay I guess. One sounded like he was a little special (Bob Honey). Another sounded robotic. Another sounded overly sexual. I can't really complain about the voice actors too much. I was just underwhelmed by the story as a whole.
I guess everybody is encouraged to give this story a try and draw their own conclusions. I personally don't recommend it, but that it just my opinion. I wasn't impressed with this story at all. I was very underwhelmed and very disappointed. If others like it, that's awesome. I just didn't.
This story kind of jumbled together and didn't make much sense. It was very choppy and it bounced all over the place with no warning. The thing is, I feel like this could be a very good story if it had been done properly. With a little structure and rewriting, maybe it would be improved upon. There were just too many questions left at the end of this story that it was nerve wracking.
The voice actors were okay I guess. One sounded like he was a little special (Bob Honey). Another sounded robotic. Another sounded overly sexual. I can't really complain about the voice actors too much. I was just underwhelmed by the story as a whole.
I guess everybody is encouraged to give this story a try and draw their own conclusions. I personally don't recommend it, but that it just my opinion. I wasn't impressed with this story at all. I was very underwhelmed and very disappointed. If others like it, that's awesome. I just didn't.
mcckev's review against another edition
1.0
The worst words I have ever read, in both style and content.
kmk182's review against another edition
3.0
Did I enjoy reading it? Yes. Penn has a way of words. Was this a mess? Absolutely. Honestly I have no clue what happened or what the point is. I couldn't reccomend this to anybody. I even have a cousin who is a big Penn fan I was going to pass the book along to, but I won't do that to him.
Update: So I've read some reviews after my initial post. Honestly I didn't have a clue this existed let alone was called "the worst book ever." I've read Bret Easton Ellis and Mark Z. Danielewski, so I wasn't as bothered by this style. I think the hate for this book probably stems from a mix of people used to more mainstream writing and people who think Penn should stick to his day job.
Update: So I've read some reviews after my initial post. Honestly I didn't have a clue this existed let alone was called "the worst book ever." I've read Bret Easton Ellis and Mark Z. Danielewski, so I wasn't as bothered by this style. I think the hate for this book probably stems from a mix of people used to more mainstream writing and people who think Penn should stick to his day job.