You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
jen_bee77's review
2.0
I like his stories, I like the idea of this book, but I cannot get past the passive aggressive bigotry. It's annoying. I cannot separate that from the author and now I'm not sure if I'm still a fan. I will assume that Alexie's autobiography was written after years of self-reflection because I love that book. There was a lot about this book that took me out of the story, I can't get behind it.
terhill's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
nina_stella's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
marigoldgem's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
tlou's review
3.75
overview bc i'm too tired to write something eloquent:
- very simplistic writing with humourous elements. a very informal approach that fits perfectly with our 15yo mc
- i'm not much found of fantasy so when the story shifted my interest automatically dropped a bit. i'd personally prefer a realistic approach. despite that, each body jump was engaging to read about. just overall not my cup of tea
- well it's not my place to discuss the native american rep esp when the author himself is native american. i just can't help but feel like this needed a bit more of a positive rep to balance out all of the characters...
- speaking of positive rep, i get this is an hormonal teen but... why was every woman in this spoken of as some sort of meat. even his foster mum by the end like. was that necessary.
- i still somewhat enjoyed reading this tho i had different expectations (i knew it encorporated fantasy elements as it's part of my eng lit syllabus and we're studying it atm. but my prof did mention it's a book that once you start you can't seem to put it down so i did think i'd bingeread this instead of sort of - not really but almost - dragging it)
- very simplistic writing with humourous elements. a very informal approach that fits perfectly with our 15yo mc
- i'm not much found of fantasy so when the story shifted my interest automatically dropped a bit. i'd personally prefer a realistic approach. despite that, each body jump was engaging to read about. just overall not my cup of tea
- well it's not my place to discuss the native american rep esp when the author himself is native american. i just can't help but feel like this needed a bit more of a positive rep to balance out all of the characters...
- speaking of positive rep, i get this is an hormonal teen but... why was every woman in this spoken of as some sort of meat. even his foster mum by the end like. was that necessary.
- i still somewhat enjoyed reading this tho i had different expectations (i knew it encorporated fantasy elements as it's part of my eng lit syllabus and we're studying it atm. but my prof did mention it's a book that once you start you can't seem to put it down so i did think i'd bingeread this instead of sort of - not really but almost - dragging it)
cdeane61's review
4.0
My initial reaction, when I began this book, was that it was a YA title. I've been known to read YA fiction from time to time, just didn't think that was his audience.
Having finished the book, I no longer feel that way. This book puts new meaning to "walk a mile in their shoes" as the protagonist ("call me Zits"), after committing a heinous crime, finds himself doing just that. He jumps back and forth through time experiencing lives and situations not of his making.
And now the hard part. I admit I have had a book or two bring me to tears, usually a slow, build with watery eyes....
This book, with one line, had me spontaneously sobbing in my living room. I had to put it down and go to my basement to get ahold of myself. I can only imagine the explaining I would have had to do had any of my family been in the room.
In the end, a powerful and heartfelt read for me.
Having finished the book, I no longer feel that way. This book puts new meaning to "walk a mile in their shoes" as the protagonist ("call me Zits"), after committing a heinous crime, finds himself doing just that. He jumps back and forth through time experiencing lives and situations not of his making.
And now the hard part. I admit I have had a book or two bring me to tears, usually a slow, build with watery eyes....
This book, with one line, had me spontaneously sobbing in my living room. I had to put it down and go to my basement to get ahold of myself. I can only imagine the explaining I would have had to do had any of my family been in the room.
In the end, a powerful and heartfelt read for me.
jbmorgan86's review
3.0
What do you get when you put Slaughterhouse Five, Catcher in the Rye, and a Native American in a blender? Why, this novel, of course.
Like the protagonists of many of Alexie’s works, “Zits” is an alienated Indian youth. He is constantly fleeing from foster homes and having run-ins with the law. After getting shot while robbing a bank, he is transported back in time. Throughout the course of the novel, Zits flashes to important periods in Native American history and periods that are more personal to him.
This novel was satirical and poignant. It was meant to be funny . . . but the gross, teenage boy schtick gets old. Based on the three pieces that I’ve read, Alexie tends to write on the same issues each time: alienated Native Americans who are all violent alcoholics and suffer on a reservation. I would be curious to hear what a Native American thinks of Alexie promoting many of the worst stereotypes about his own people.
Like the protagonists of many of Alexie’s works, “Zits” is an alienated Indian youth. He is constantly fleeing from foster homes and having run-ins with the law. After getting shot while robbing a bank, he is transported back in time. Throughout the course of the novel, Zits flashes to important periods in Native American history and periods that are more personal to him.
This novel was satirical and poignant. It was meant to be funny . . . but the gross, teenage boy schtick gets old. Based on the three pieces that I’ve read, Alexie tends to write on the same issues each time: alienated Native Americans who are all violent alcoholics and suffer on a reservation. I would be curious to hear what a Native American thinks of Alexie promoting many of the worst stereotypes about his own people.
crystal_reading's review
4.0
I read this pretty much non-stop. Zits (the name we are given from the start) has been bouncing from foster home to foster home for years. He has become hardened over time and hasn't much hope for anything to change for the better. He has become more and more destructive and he is ready to harm not only himself, but many others.
This is when things become very interesting. He begins to travel through time. He meets up with many people and has to see many situations from a perspective he has not experienced before. He is given the chance to see through the eyes of people he would have considered enemies. He is also given the opportunity to exact revenge on those who have harmed others. Through this he goes through a lot of introspection.
Alexie provides some humor in the midst of the tragedies. He also plays into some stereotypes.
This is when things become very interesting. He begins to travel through time. He meets up with many people and has to see many situations from a perspective he has not experienced before. He is given the chance to see through the eyes of people he would have considered enemies. He is also given the opportunity to exact revenge on those who have harmed others. Through this he goes through a lot of introspection.
Alexie provides some humor in the midst of the tragedies. He also plays into some stereotypes.
quarkie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
littlemisslibrarian's review
4.0
Confusing and interesting until the end of the story. The reader has to get to the end for the story for it to make sense.