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jacwol's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
krows_ink's review against another edition
BROTHER DOES THIS GUY STINK
The amount of misogyny and toxic masculinity sucks. Like you can write an unlikeable guy to talk about toxic masculinity, but this wasn’t a well execution at all.
Bro really hated two underaged girls (not even teenagers) and was commenting on how one was trash “just like her mother” after he described her developing boobs at the age of twelve. Rubbed me the wrong way, I couldn’t stand how he referred to every single woman as either meek and stupid or trash, a whore, or a bitch. I was hoping for some reflection or critical thinking but none of that was in this book — or at least the 60 pages I managed to get through.
OMG ALSO the fat phobia and body shaming!! Yuck.
The amount of misogyny and toxic masculinity sucks. Like you can write an unlikeable guy to talk about toxic masculinity, but this wasn’t a well execution at all.
OMG ALSO the fat phobia and body shaming!! Yuck.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cancer, and Misogyny
glenmowrer's review against another edition
4.0
Sort of feels like walking into a double-wide trailer in the heart of America. Done with respect and integrity this is a taut narrative which becomes so tensiony that it is opaque at times. The protagonist is both sympathetic and unlikable as he has continued difficulty accepting his own bad judgment and likewise finds ways of blaming others around his life. In fact some of his misfortune is not his fault but he never seems to find a way to improve the choices he makes. The dialect of middle American "white" working people is captured with a good ear by the author. If one stands outside the vision of the lead character and considers the world he is reporting on from that perspective the people are decent and understandable. The reader should do this to actually appreciate the tale. (I would give it 4.5 stars if that were allowed.)
literatihottie's review against another edition
2.0
Not for me! Gritty and realist. I appreciate it as an indictment of the health care system, poverty, marijuana prohibition etc. However, I couldn't get over what a jerk he was to women! It felt like a book written for men. I did like it more by the end, but it certainly wasn't my favorite read.
heyhawk's review against another edition
4.0
Review here: http://www.danscanon.com/2020/12/wyoming-by-jp-gritton.html
juliemaisy23's review against another edition
5.0
Gripping story about irredeemable characters, impossible to like to you're drawn to them anyway. Amazing writing.
screamdogreads's review
3.5
An authentic, pitch-perfect portrait of an America too often caricatured or ignored. That's what Alice McDermott has to say about this book, and, upon finishing it, I can't help but think that I've never read a truer book blurb in my life.
This is a book of bad choices, and missed opportunities, of hopelessness and broken families, and it's narrated by our protagonist, Shelly. It's important to know that Shelly is no hero, he self sabotages at every turn, he's fueled by rage and hatred. As his fumbling efforts to return his brother's money unfold, it's easy to pity him, but at times, it's just as easy to hate him.
As a novel, this is a well written, fun addition to the grit lit genre. This book, however, is exactly why review sites need a half star system, because it's not a 3-star read, but it's not quite a 4 either.
This is a book of bad choices, and missed opportunities, of hopelessness and broken families, and it's narrated by our protagonist, Shelly. It's important to know that Shelly is no hero, he self sabotages at every turn, he's fueled by rage and hatred. As his fumbling efforts to return his brother's money unfold, it's easy to pity him, but at times, it's just as easy to hate him.
As a novel, this is a well written, fun addition to the grit lit genre. This book, however, is exactly why review sites need a half star system, because it's not a 3-star read, but it's not quite a 4 either.