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A review by amyp2
The Love Song of Jonny Valentine by Teddy Wayne
3.0
I don't know about how this works for others, but very occasionally I flip through a People Magazine (or something similar) in the staff room during lunch. It instantly transforms me into something strange and zombie-like as turn the pages ogling at photos, but read very little text (and certainly no actual articles). In my imagination of myself, I might even be sporting a slack-jaw. I emerge and feel like I've been in a trance. I shake it off and wonder about this strange celebrity gossip-cognitive-vacuum phenomenon. For about 3 seconds.... then I snap back to normal and it's like the whole thing never happened.
Reading this book was that People Magazine experience, extended to hours and hours at a time. I could only justify it, at first, because I understand that it's a *commentary* on "our" collective fascination with celebrity and how it is ugly, sad, and ultimately ridiculous. And, yet, still. The experience of reading it felt like gazing at a car crash for an extended period of time, and it made me queasy. I guess that means the author did a very convincing job of writing (a made-up biography of Justin Bieber). After 200 pages, I had to stop. For my own sanity. No more staring at this car wreck just because it's there.
Finally, I want to add that I picked up this book because it is supposed to be FUNNY. A blogger on Book Riot called it one of the funniest of 2013 (also one of the best). She and I have a different sense of humor.
Reading this book was that People Magazine experience, extended to hours and hours at a time. I could only justify it, at first, because I understand that it's a *commentary* on "our" collective fascination with celebrity and how it is ugly, sad, and ultimately ridiculous. And, yet, still. The experience of reading it felt like gazing at a car crash for an extended period of time, and it made me queasy. I guess that means the author did a very convincing job of writing (a made-up biography of Justin Bieber). After 200 pages, I had to stop. For my own sanity. No more staring at this car wreck just because it's there.
Finally, I want to add that I picked up this book because it is supposed to be FUNNY. A blogger on Book Riot called it one of the funniest of 2013 (also one of the best). She and I have a different sense of humor.