Scan barcode
infinitejoe's review against another edition
5.0
After reading the "The Best American Short Stories - 2012", edited by Tom Perrotta, one of my favorite current authors, I decided to see if any of the authors of the better stories had written any novels. I came up with a few that seemed like they'd be worth a try, and made this one my first.
The book is about a family of five that starts to decay and come apart at the seams after a mixture of bad decisions and a tragic accident, and how they try to deal with their situation, sometimes making things better, and more often than not making them worse. The characters and their interactions seemed real and intimate, with an authentic emotional thread throughout. Quirky and depressing, the book made me laugh out loud at some parts while leaving me in somber thought at others. The pace was perfect, and I just wanted to keep reading.
Loved this book, and I hope to see more coming from this author.
The book is about a family of five that starts to decay and come apart at the seams after a mixture of bad decisions and a tragic accident, and how they try to deal with their situation, sometimes making things better, and more often than not making them worse. The characters and their interactions seemed real and intimate, with an authentic emotional thread throughout. Quirky and depressing, the book made me laugh out loud at some parts while leaving me in somber thought at others. The pace was perfect, and I just wanted to keep reading.
Loved this book, and I hope to see more coming from this author.
fallonc's review against another edition
2.0
Predictable, troppy, & flat. A good distraction when I wasn’t just feeling upset.
mw_bookgraph's review against another edition
4.0
I have seen this book all over. It seems like the entire blogosphere is reading it. For good reason, it is pretty danged good.
glabeson's review against another edition
3.0
Reminiscent of the dysfunctional families of [b:May We Be Forgiven|16061734|May We Be Forgiven|A.M. Homes|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1349221581s/16061734.jpg|19176680] and [b:The Corrections|3805|The Corrections|Jonathan Franzen|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1355011305s/3805.jpg|941200], but without the plot going to the ridiculous. Some very smart/witty dialogue when the family is gathered...
jcm's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful character development, the story is paced perfectly, and the story itself is one with some twists and turns. The only complaint is that I would have liked more backstory on Taz.
pdxpiney's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely, devastating story of a family set in 1980s Southern California. Though always told in third person, each character's voice is clearly individual and intimately realized. Sacred, mundane, entropy, gravity. Recommended.
sarahndipity's review against another edition
3.0
This book contains a few awkward, unintentionally nonsensical turns of phrase, and the plot is a little strange, but it's overall enjoyable and worth the time it takes to read.
sophronisba's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I really liked this. I went in expecting it to be just one more of the family-in-crisis books that seem to be dominating the Tournament of Books this year. But I loved it. The writing is good, I cared about all the main characters--I thought it was fantastic. (Having said that, it probably should really be 4 1/2 stars because there are some anachronisms--although that sort of thing doesn't bother me as much as it bothers others--and some meandering in the second half, with the introduction of a couple of characters who didn't really work.)
jules72653's review against another edition
4.0
Set during the summer of 1985 and 1986, this book is about the Ziller family, Warren and Camille, parents of Dustin, Jonas and daughter Lyle. Each chapter is from a different character's viewpoint giving us an intimate look into this family. Every family has struggles and this one is no exception. I really appreciated that Puchner didn't shy away from harsh events in the lives of the Ziller's. The book was funny and heartbreaking both; I cried at the end of the Part II.
tessam's review against another edition
3.0
This book was unbearably depressing but I think I sort of liked it. The author portrays a family that is falling apart at the seams and it is impossible not to feel extremely passionate and empathetic toward each one. The plot is a bit far-fetched, but there is never a dull moment. It is also jam-packed with dark humor.