hahaseriousnow's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
maddiemmn's review against another edition
Some words I would use to describe Jonathan Abernathy: unique, depressing, disturbing, bizarre, mundane, soul-crushing, pitiful, funny. It ruined my life for about a week.
tigerlily31's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jonathan annoyed the entire time
The narrator made this book!!!!
The narrator made this book!!!!
beccads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
katiem300's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Jonathan Abernathy may be the most infuriating protagonist I’ve ever encountered. This, I believe, is intentional. He’s interesting in that, when most characters in most books talk, they do so to help move the plot along. When he opens his mouth, he does the opposite. It is incredibly frustrating. And every time I start to feel sympathy for him, I remember the way he often leaves out or forgets women in scenes. He is a sad character in his fate, that he has become a pawn in an evil job, but feels he has to because of the crushing misery of capitalism. I’m sure we can all relate to that. But fuck, this job is really really evil, dude. Like, come on. Work a second fast food job or something. The pay doesn’t even seem to be that good! Any ounce of power goes right to his head, I felt Kai’s anger towards him, so real.
nikkinmichaels's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ashleyjewell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I just finished this book a week ago and I was so enraptured by it that it became my number one read this year!
In this book, McGhee introduces us to the loveable loser, Jonathan Abernathy, a lonely twenty six year old who is already drowning in debt. We follow him into his new once-in-a-lifetime job, auditing the dreams of the middle class, but he soon learns this job comes with a lot more baggage than he could have imagined.
The blend of surrealist, sci-fi dream-scapes and Mcghee’s witty yet sobering critique of late stage capitalism made for one hell of a book.
(P.S. - the ending did make me cry but like in a cathartic good-ish way)
In this book, McGhee introduces us to the loveable loser, Jonathan Abernathy, a lonely twenty six year old who is already drowning in debt. We follow him into his new once-in-a-lifetime job, auditing the dreams of the middle class, but he soon learns this job comes with a lot more baggage than he could have imagined.
The blend of surrealist, sci-fi dream-scapes and Mcghee’s witty yet sobering critique of late stage capitalism made for one hell of a book.
(P.S. - the ending did make me cry but like in a cathartic good-ish way)
maybeans's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emgregg's review against another edition
4.0
I received an audio ARC of Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind through Netgalley.
Jonathan Abernathy is every American who feels as if they are three steps behind. I never thought a narrative written in third person could feel so much like second person. It's dreamlike, which works as much of the story takes place in dreams. The prose reflects this wonderfully, and I was completely immersed in Abernathy's small world.
The nods to the harsh realities of life in a capitalist society are on-the-nose and often stated outright, but the writing is beautifully dark and surreal. I wish there had been more to explanations of dream symbolism, as it would have added humor and depth to the parts that take place within dreams. The narrator gives hints to much of the ending as the story goes along, which made it feel slow to resolve in some parts, but overall the pacing is well done.
The audio narration by MacLeod Andrews is exceptional. The highs are high and the lows are low, and I felt he was in full control of the emotional rollar coaster that was this book.
I recommend for anyone who enjoys journeys with flawed characters who try their best but get in their own way. Readers who like speculative elements that are surreal, yet believable due to real-world parallels, will connect with this book.
Jonathan Abernathy is every American who feels as if they are three steps behind. I never thought a narrative written in third person could feel so much like second person. It's dreamlike, which works as much of the story takes place in dreams. The prose reflects this wonderfully, and I was completely immersed in Abernathy's small world.
The nods to the harsh realities of life in a capitalist society are on-the-nose and often stated outright, but the writing is beautifully dark and surreal. I wish there had been more to explanations of dream symbolism, as it would have added humor and depth to the parts that take place within dreams. The narrator gives hints to much of the ending as the story goes along, which made it feel slow to resolve in some parts, but overall the pacing is well done.
The audio narration by MacLeod Andrews is exceptional. The highs are high and the lows are low, and I felt he was in full control of the emotional rollar coaster that was this book.
I recommend for anyone who enjoys journeys with flawed characters who try their best but get in their own way. Readers who like speculative elements that are surreal, yet believable due to real-world parallels, will connect with this book.