This book, like many of its characters, doesn't want to be liked. So maybe two stars is unfair, since it was successful. But the structure was clunky,This book, like many of its characters, doesn't want to be liked. So maybe two stars is unfair, since it was successful. But the structure was clunky, the plot felt padded, and the conclusions weren't as profound as the author hoped.
Also, can we start proofreading books again? That would be great. Because roofs have "eaves," not "eves." And there were a few other examples in this book.
Merged review:
This book, like many of its characters, doesn't want to be liked. So maybe two stars is unfair, since it was successful. But the structure was clunky, the plot felt padded, and the conclusions weren't as profound as the author hoped.
Also, can we start proofreading books again? That would be great. Because roofs have "eaves," not "eves." And there were a few other examples in this book....more
This book is intense. Post-apocalyptic/post-disaster fiction is so good when it’s done well, and the ties to Biblical imagery work really well for me.This book is intense. Post-apocalyptic/post-disaster fiction is so good when it’s done well, and the ties to Biblical imagery work really well for me. Looking forward to seeing how my book club felt—they are all parents and it might hit really different for them....more
The author is so careful and tender in his character development. The plot is a bit thin, which might disappoint some readers. To me, it recalls the sThe author is so careful and tender in his character development. The plot is a bit thin, which might disappoint some readers. To me, it recalls the sameness of the summer days. It’s recursive and nonlinear and suggests a non-Western storytelling tradition. ...more
It’s a document of our time. I appreciated the message that anger doesn’t need to be transformed or converted to be effective. We (or at least I) don’It’s a document of our time. I appreciated the message that anger doesn’t need to be transformed or converted to be effective. We (or at least I) don’t necessarily hear this enough....more
This book meant a lot to me in high school when I first read it. A lot of time has passed since then (a lot!) and it can't have the same impact on me This book meant a lot to me in high school when I first read it. A lot of time has passed since then (a lot!) and it can't have the same impact on me now as it had then. The gender essentialism/borderline misogyny bothered me quite a bit. I would still give this to a high schooler but I would follow up with discussions and more modern readings to supplement because of the gender issues. ...more
The author manages to write about indigenous North American people’s past, present, and future all at once. I only like dystopian fiction when it’s doThe author manages to write about indigenous North American people’s past, present, and future all at once. I only like dystopian fiction when it’s done really well, and this succeeds. For me, the idea that non-Native people stopped dreaming maybe doesn’t stand up to a lot of scrutiny but is also beside the point—the reason for the persecution isn’t important, only how the characters behave....more
I expected this to be a four-star book but honestly, there are so many great moments in here that I liked it more than I expected. What a lovely persoI expected this to be a four-star book but honestly, there are so many great moments in here that I liked it more than I expected. What a lovely person. ...more
I have never set foot in Oklahoma City but the 99% Invisible podcast made this sound like a good read. And for the most part it is. It’s written in a I have never set foot in Oklahoma City but the 99% Invisible podcast made this sound like a good read. And for the most part it is. It’s written in a sort of poetic dirtbag style that works well for sports writing, although the tone shifts a bit in ways that don’t always hang together. The last section about the tornados is excellent. I bet if I went to OKC I would have been more riveted....more
This is fine but I have seen this sort of thing done elsewhere and better. Maybe I'm just not a good match with this because I am disconnected from USThis is fine but I have seen this sort of thing done elsewhere and better. Maybe I'm just not a good match with this because I am disconnected from US dog culture, which is frankly a little much for me right now (dogs are fine. They're FINE.). I also think that the author had some axes to grind about teaching and students' attitudes, and anything other than a very traditional view of literature and criticism is acceptable, and I am skeptical of heavy-handed prescriptivism....more
The personal is political. Depression is largely a result of our societal structure, lack of meaningful work, and economic insecurity (oh, hello, UBI,The personal is political. Depression is largely a result of our societal structure, lack of meaningful work, and economic insecurity (oh, hello, UBI, didn’t expect to see you again so soon). There is a lot to absorb here and further research I need to do. But these are ideas we need to talk about as we move into the future....more
This would work well as an introduction to concepts like white fragility, white guilt, and whatever you call the idea that Jim Crow wasn’t just a buncThis would work well as an introduction to concepts like white fragility, white guilt, and whatever you call the idea that Jim Crow wasn’t just a bunch of meanies. I got quite a bit out of it, as a white person who has heard of these ideas before. I think the memoir starts a bit slow but hearing one person’s report that, not only does this happen, but it happens a lot, and sometimes multiple aggressions happen at once, is useful for me to hear....more
I found a few good insights in here but ultimately I couldn’t connect with this. A lot of people I like and respect recommended this, so I feel a littI found a few good insights in here but ultimately I couldn’t connect with this. A lot of people I like and respect recommended this, so I feel a little let down, but it’s probably the wrong time or the wrong place for me. ...more
Candace's story felt like a less comic version of Shaun of the Dead. The world is ending around us but who has time to notice? I believe that the storCandace's story felt like a less comic version of Shaun of the Dead. The world is ending around us but who has time to notice? I believe that the story should have been told in a more linear way; I don't know that switching back and forth frequently served the pacing well. I will keep my eye on this author but I feel this was more of a mood than a great novel....more
I know I am reading something great when I think about it when I’m not reading it. This is masterfully written, bringing the characters to life clearlI know I am reading something great when I think about it when I’m not reading it. This is masterfully written, bringing the characters to life clearly, which is crucial in this type of narrative (if we didn’t care this book would be nothing). I’m not sure if this was the author’s intention but I feel this highlights the futility of war, showing the characters as behaving honorably without an honorable objective at their core. It frustrates me that this was only the beginning of the war, and parallels to modern times are unavoidable.
I am not great at visualizing, so some of the scenes are hard for me to follow. I’m not necessarily interested in reading about all men, although the author compensated for that and made me care. And there are a lot of slurs, particularly against Vietnamese people. I didn’t like the slurs, but they almost reinforced the anti-war themes for me, showing how political battles pit people against each other for little reason....more
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