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acsaper's review against another edition
2.0
Weird. I love Wally Lamb so so much. I know this much is true, She's come undone, We are water...some of my favorite books of...all time? And this just falls so so short. It feels like it's supposed to be an homage to, or recognition of, struggles of American women in the past century. But, it falls so so short of actually doing that. And, the narrative feels so forced and awkward. Which, is entirely off kilter for the Wally Lamb that I love who usually drags me deep deep into his narratives and characters. Here I could get interested in Felix, let alone his rambling laments or the characters he relieved through his whacky film memories. A letter to a daughter perhaps? Or an homage to a mother? Seems like that might've been the intent. But whatever's going on, I guess I just missed it.
skynet666's review against another edition
3.0
I love this author and how he brings his characters to life. I felt like I knew how the protagonist felt and could identify, which made him seem more real. However, I didn't love the movie/cinema character angle of the book. It's was interesting, but didn't thrill me.
lizard800's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book is pretty bizarre honestly. I don't really understand why the author chose to tell the story this way. The first part is boring, but I did become more captivated in the second half. I wouldn't really reccomend this book, unless the reader had a niche interest in film and time travel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Blood, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy
katie_holder's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately I was so disappointed with this book. I was so excited when I got it because Wally is one of my favorite Authors. The beginning of the book was good, the middle was ehhh, and the ending left me feeling as though I picked up some political propaganda and ended so abruptly like what even happened! Not at all what I expected.
knitmitts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I'm a big fan of Wally Lamb. This would be my least favorite of his books that I've read.
brea_by_the_beach's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. Compared to the other novels he has written, this felt like a half finished job.
tannerjameswv's review against another edition
3.0
My first Wally Lamb and, without the encouragement of so many wildly positive reviews for his other works, it may well have been my last.
That isn't to say it's bad. It's not. But it's underwhelming.
Lamb's prose felt elementary, which matched his conversations about sexuality and mental health. He put a little more effort into exploring feminism, but only marginally so -- it still felt superficial and was not helped, in my opinion, by literally invoking Tumblr. As another reviewer put it: this felt like an exercise in checking boxes.
Still, I blazed through the latter half of the book once he dove into the meat of the characters' dysfunctions. If nothing else, this must have been a flash of the talent that has earned Lamb his reputation.
That isn't to say it's bad. It's not. But it's underwhelming.
Lamb's prose felt elementary, which matched his conversations about sexuality and mental health. He put a little more effort into exploring feminism, but only marginally so -- it still felt superficial and was not helped, in my opinion, by literally invoking Tumblr. As another reviewer put it: this felt like an exercise in checking boxes.
Still, I blazed through the latter half of the book once he dove into the meat of the characters' dysfunctions. If nothing else, this must have been a flash of the talent that has earned Lamb his reputation.
katyrose18's review against another edition
1.0
Did not finish. Stopped at chapter. 3.
I usually love Wally Lamb but I have zero interest in movies or ghosts and I couldn't even be bothered to read it despite it being less than 300 pages.
I usually love Wally Lamb but I have zero interest in movies or ghosts and I couldn't even be bothered to read it despite it being less than 300 pages.