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pharmadelica's review against another edition
4.0
Haven't read anything from Sam since I was 19, so I was interested to see how I would come back to it.
Bottom line: Sam definitely has a cult on here that will inflate ratings, so he's not for everyone even if he averages like a 4.06. But this is good stuff. More of the same, but noticeably more mature and with a better ear for dialogue.
Majority of the stories here are like Sam's older stuff. Lone, but personable and quick-to-make-friends protagonist works some dead end manual jobs and copes with some existential anxiety rendered with surreal, gory imagery.
What I noticed in this collection, though, is a greater focus on other characters. I'm down for this. Old books felt 100% like you were trapped in Sam's head, and everyone else felt like some kind of ghost or non-thought. It was pretty claustrophobic. But here, stories like the alley one (which the top review here is acting like is the worst story in the collection, even though it's absolutely not) treat Sam's condition, rightly, like something endured by the masses. There's solidarity between him and the two kids stuck in the alley. They're not just props anymore. The Florida factory story is big on this too.
Best story, for sure, is Blue Victoria. It's Sam's style, but it's fully dramatic and character driven. There is real suspense and pathos and energy exchanged between the characters. The ending was also the most I've read him tap into emotion. You could accuse it of being melodramatic, but I think Sam's style, and its place among the more flippant stories here, lets me buy it. I would love to see Blue Victoria as a short film or play.
That said, the Michigan section that closes feels a bit weaker. The first story there is actually the worst one in the collection. The one about the dog also didn't grip me that much. The wedding story that closes is funny, and filled with a lot of good observations, but it goes on forever and then ends super abruptly. Felt like Sam wasn't sure how to wrap up there.
But that's forgivable. The peaks here are really high. Wasn't expecting to enjoy the Ice Cream Man as much as I did. My favourite Sam now for sure.
Bottom line: Sam definitely has a cult on here that will inflate ratings, so he's not for everyone even if he averages like a 4.06. But this is good stuff. More of the same, but noticeably more mature and with a better ear for dialogue.
Majority of the stories here are like Sam's older stuff. Lone, but personable and quick-to-make-friends protagonist works some dead end manual jobs and copes with some existential anxiety rendered with surreal, gory imagery.
What I noticed in this collection, though, is a greater focus on other characters. I'm down for this. Old books felt 100% like you were trapped in Sam's head, and everyone else felt like some kind of ghost or non-thought. It was pretty claustrophobic. But here, stories like the alley one (which the top review here is acting like is the worst story in the collection, even though it's absolutely not) treat Sam's condition, rightly, like something endured by the masses. There's solidarity between him and the two kids stuck in the alley. They're not just props anymore. The Florida factory story is big on this too.
Best story, for sure, is Blue Victoria. It's Sam's style, but it's fully dramatic and character driven. There is real suspense and pathos and energy exchanged between the characters. The ending was also the most I've read him tap into emotion. You could accuse it of being melodramatic, but I think Sam's style, and its place among the more flippant stories here, lets me buy it. I would love to see Blue Victoria as a short film or play.
That said, the Michigan section that closes feels a bit weaker. The first story there is actually the worst one in the collection. The one about the dog also didn't grip me that much. The wedding story that closes is funny, and filled with a lot of good observations, but it goes on forever and then ends super abruptly. Felt like Sam wasn't sure how to wrap up there.
But that's forgivable. The peaks here are really high. Wasn't expecting to enjoy the Ice Cream Man as much as I did. My favourite Sam now for sure.
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
embri8's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
jonathan_lee_b's review against another edition
5.0
The Ice Cream Man and Other Stories is popping candy.
kingkarl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
robothistorian's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
3.5
lilbalzac's review against another edition
4.0
SAM PINK!
Is it sad that controversy is good for exposure? At any rate, I found out about Sam Pink after reading about the FUCCBOI drama that I’m still largely unsure about. On the one hand, I do strongly believe that you can “steal” someone’s style, someone’s stories and their likeness in general. But I also think that we are all made up of the stories we read and influenced the world around us so are we all just not stealing from each other? I guess it’s similar to the Cat Person dilemma which also left me confused (as we all should be).
Anyway, i’m excited to be more Sam Pink because I feel like he portrays the working class in a way that’s actually reflective of the real people in the world. There’s no pandering there’s no overly political messaging, it’s just what it is. I like that and it feels worthwhile and entertaining and real. I’ll be reading more :)
Is it sad that controversy is good for exposure? At any rate, I found out about Sam Pink after reading about the FUCCBOI drama that I’m still largely unsure about. On the one hand, I do strongly believe that you can “steal” someone’s style, someone’s stories and their likeness in general. But I also think that we are all made up of the stories we read and influenced the world around us so are we all just not stealing from each other? I guess it’s similar to the Cat Person dilemma which also left me confused (as we all should be).
Anyway, i’m excited to be more Sam Pink because I feel like he portrays the working class in a way that’s actually reflective of the real people in the world. There’s no pandering there’s no overly political messaging, it’s just what it is. I like that and it feels worthwhile and entertaining and real. I’ll be reading more :)
tyler_j's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
Technically my average rating for the 13 stories is 3.31 meaning I would normally give it 3.25 stars on here but that doesn't feel right. (actually the 3 on GR didn't feel right lol) These made me think, terrified me, were weird and idk what to say really but i'm bumping it up to a 3.5. Feels right.
I enjoyed it over-all. Glad I read it.
I enjoyed it over-all. Glad I read it.
kmk182's review against another edition
2.0
The stories within are interesting in a nihilist way. The collection is dominated by inner thoughts of various characters. However, in the end I just felt like I was listening to someone complain and most of the stories don’t really end as much as burn out.