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yoobie13 's review for:
Up in the Air
by Walter Kirn
If you're like me, you may have heard first only of the film adaptation of "Up In The Air." And if you're like most of us, you may have expected the movie to closely mirror the written original. Please know going in, this book is an utterly different experience than the movie.
Some insightful comments below point out that the movie, released in 2009, was molded to speak to the times: economic crisis, uncertainty, and insecurity, all with that mainstream feel of a witty, romantic comedy. Published in 2001, the book had no such context and instead should stand on its own.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. "Thoroughly" meaning, something solidly good to be found on nearly every page. It reads quickly in concise, declarative sentences. I frequently found myself eagerly eating up a paragraph only to pause abruptly to revisit a beautifully witty line, a wry observation of the universe, or a wonderfully crafted sentence. This happened often, to the pleasure of my underlining-and-note-taking hand.
The narrator, Ryan Bingham, is a fantastically intelligent and neurotic fellow. He reminds me of a Holden Caulfield set in modern day "AirWorld," on a strange journey towards something seemingly pointless. Similar to The Catcher in the Rye, you sometimes wonder where the plot is taking you... yet he's quite entertaining to tag along with.
I also read most of this book while traveling, likely heightening my enjoyment of it through its commentary on the nuances of airfare, hotel rooms, strangers and relationships. Though I would probably recommend this book selectively to those who enjoy a dark and clever sense of humor, I give it high ratings overall.
Some insightful comments below point out that the movie, released in 2009, was molded to speak to the times: economic crisis, uncertainty, and insecurity, all with that mainstream feel of a witty, romantic comedy. Published in 2001, the book had no such context and instead should stand on its own.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. "Thoroughly" meaning, something solidly good to be found on nearly every page. It reads quickly in concise, declarative sentences. I frequently found myself eagerly eating up a paragraph only to pause abruptly to revisit a beautifully witty line, a wry observation of the universe, or a wonderfully crafted sentence. This happened often, to the pleasure of my underlining-and-note-taking hand.
The narrator, Ryan Bingham, is a fantastically intelligent and neurotic fellow. He reminds me of a Holden Caulfield set in modern day "AirWorld," on a strange journey towards something seemingly pointless. Similar to The Catcher in the Rye, you sometimes wonder where the plot is taking you... yet he's quite entertaining to tag along with.
I also read most of this book while traveling, likely heightening my enjoyment of it through its commentary on the nuances of airfare, hotel rooms, strangers and relationships. Though I would probably recommend this book selectively to those who enjoy a dark and clever sense of humor, I give it high ratings overall.