A review by foxispunk
Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte

4.0

okay. so. this book is like 6 short stories all centering around rejection (obviously), and the isolation, whether voluntary or not that comes with it. i did not enjoy reading most of this book—that does not mean it was bad! after reading the second story “Pics,” (the one i laughed the most at, this book was hilarious btw) i felt like i myself had just lashed out, become insufferable, and lost all my friends. after reading “Ahegao,” (i think that’s how its spelled?) i felt so disconnected from reality and felt the same fear of rejection Kant feels (though not for the same reasons cus that was CRAAAZAYY ending of that one made my jaw DROP) when telling my boyfriend goodnight (i was calling him while reading this into the late hours of the night [1:30 am], and i think the fact that the call was silence the whole time [we were both reading] and that it was middle of the night and we were the only ones awake in both houses added to my sense of derealization and paranoia). but that was the point. the writing and stories were done so well that i was able to connect in some shape or form with the person and feel as rejected as they did. “Our Dope Future” was so stupidly funny, especially followed by the absolute rollercoaster that was “Main Character.” hfs. i need to dissect this man’s brain because 1. how did he come up with such a convoluted and real-feeling fiction twitter discourse and 2. how tf do you come up with that whole ending and situation in general?! inserting himself in the book and discourse around himself (again in “Re: Rejection”)!?! this book was fourth-wall breaking meta commentary on the worst parts of humanity and how we deal with the truth of how others perceive us. so clever and crazy. an amazing satire. soo yeah