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patiolinguist's review against another edition
1.0
Took me 3 weeks to get to the point where I DNF’d at 73%, would have stopped reading sooner but I was morbidly curious to see if the plot would improve (it did not). Now I’d like to have my time back!
deanna_rigney's review against another edition
4.0
This story had an intriguing surprise early on that was rather weird & original. I found it both funny & pessimistic. Solomon Kugel, the protagonist of the story, reminded me so much of a Woody Allen character. Really, all the characters did to some extent, but definitely Kugel. It's a very "far-out" and cynical read, and it definitely isn't for everyone. It was crude, farcical, unstructured, and repetitive, but these are things I actually enjoyed about it. In my opnion, the format enhanced the book, especially if you consider the personalities/neuroses of the characters. I wasn’t quite as taken with this as his memoir, ‘Foreskin’s Lament’, but Auslander’s twisted wit & darkness still pleased me sufficiently.
pbraue13's review against another edition
3.0
A fun farce I really enjoyed even if I was cringing through some bits.
ella1801's review against another edition
3.0
Not a huge fan of the ending, but certainly an interesting read.
coradee's review against another edition
1.0
This book is 95% neurotic ramblings and defecating into heating ducts. There is no Hope for this Tragedy.
chlosophis's review against another edition
2.0
I really should have gathered from the title that this would be a thoroughly depressing read. I admire Auslander's humour, but it was all a little too dark for me.
dcliz's review against another edition
5.0
At it's heart a very dark novel, it is full of gems like, "Why did children always draw the sun smiling? he wondered. It's a giant ball of fire, kids. It's rage and fury. Whatever it's doing, it isn't fucking smiling."
Auslander's dark humor and biting prose makes this a quick read, while probing deep themes such as human suffering, death, end of life, and the nature of hope.
Auslander's dark humor and biting prose makes this a quick read, while probing deep themes such as human suffering, death, end of life, and the nature of hope.
sagepagemage's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
regamemnon's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't finish this one. The writing itself was good, and the voice was distinct, if not cliched "neurotic Jew," but there was nothing beyond that really happening or moving the plot along.