Reviews

The Standard Grand by Jay Baron Nicorvo

laurenla's review against another edition

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4.0

The Standard Grand is a memorable American novel for our time, a meaningful shaggy dog story. I read it months ago, but find the plot and characters are fresh in my mind, which is very unusual!

The Standard Grand is a defunct upstate New York Catskills resort being used as an unofficial shelter for veteran soldiers. Mercenary corporate spies try to take over the resort, the vets survive by raising llamas and then a female vet off the streets of NYC is added to the mix. The whole situation is primed to explode, and it does, in a series of harrowing and hilarious episodes.

The Standard Grand is a generous character-driven adventure. It is an uncommon book, for those who enjoy getting to know a Dickensian cast of characters. Let the beginning of the book wash over you and before you know it you'll be wanting the story not to end.

I'm keen to read reviews of this book by soldiers/vets as there is a lot of military discussion in the book.

mindygough's review against another edition

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2.0

This book wanted to be so macho. The phrasing, the descriptions, the plot were all male-centered and jarring. I kept reading, thinking it might get better, but it didn't.
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