hcaliri's review against another edition
2.0
I’m kept waiting to be charmed by this protagonist and moved by his narrative arc. I’m still waiting. The dogs were great, though.
jeniecegoellner's review against another edition
3.0
Quirky and neurotic characters abound. A main character that sometimes borders on plain annoying, but ends up being endearing. Secondary characters that range from lovable to want to throw them off the Manhattan Bridge. Add a not quite believable New York setting. And throw in some adorable dogs to make everything alright.
Meg Rosoff delves into adult contemporary fiction with mild success. I didn't hate the book, there were some very likable parts. But there is nothing that would make me go back and want to read this again. And I couldn't quite tell if I enjoyed the ending or not. After spending time with the characters, and be left were I was, I'm not sure if I should feel cheated or appreciate being able to let my mind wander to its own ending. Overall a solid read.
This book was received via a Goodreads.com giveaways.
Meg Rosoff delves into adult contemporary fiction with mild success. I didn't hate the book, there were some very likable parts. But there is nothing that would make me go back and want to read this again. And I couldn't quite tell if I enjoyed the ending or not. After spending time with the characters, and be left were I was, I'm not sure if I should feel cheated or appreciate being able to let my mind wander to its own ending. Overall a solid read.
This book was received via a Goodreads.com giveaways.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
4.0
Ah, Meg Rosoff, what must it be like inside your brain and heart? I loved How I Live Now, and I also loved Jonathan Unleashed - two entirely different but brilliant novels. OK maybe JU isn't quite brilliant as a rom com, but it is humorous, entertaining, and entirely satisfying.
Jonathan (my J key keeps sticking so maybe he'll remain The Guy/Our Guy) lives in Manhattan, works on a soul-squishing account at an ad agency, has a long distance, practical-minded Midwestern girlfriend, and secretly draws comics. His brother moves to Dubai and suddenly Our Guy has an adorable spaniel and above-average intelligence border collie to care for in his perhaps illegally leased apartment.
I loved these dogs! I loved how Our Guy loved these dogs! I loved how we often followed Our Guy's thought processes inside his head and realized in the moment that he did when he accidentally said part of his bizarre thoughts out loud! I loved his comics. I loved, loved Greeley's wisdom and attractiveness. I liked how we got to know Our Guy's complicated feelings about his girlfriend, and her three-dimensional (!) character, and his best player-but-actually-good-hearted friend, and how he ascribed complex human emotions to the dogs. Ungh. I could go on. But you get the idea. Best of all, I loved how I cracked up on the train reading this. I have no shame in being that cackling commuter. Best way to start my school day.
*Although the use of the word "transvestite" is problematic at best and willingfully tongue-in-cheek hurtful or downright bigoted at almost-worst.
*Rereading, the "ever sporadic bean trees" scene gets me just as much. One of the funniest scenes I've ever read!
Read Alikes & Recommended to
fans of Steve Kluger's improbably wonderful and lovably flawed characters.
fans of Rainbow Rowell's romance, humor, and quirkiness
people who like a subplot ode to New York.
Jonathan (my J key keeps sticking so maybe he'll remain The Guy/Our Guy) lives in Manhattan, works on a soul-squishing account at an ad agency, has a long distance, practical-minded Midwestern girlfriend, and secretly draws comics. His brother moves to Dubai and suddenly Our Guy has an adorable spaniel and above-average intelligence border collie to care for in his perhaps illegally leased apartment.
I loved these dogs! I loved how Our Guy loved these dogs! I loved how we often followed Our Guy's thought processes inside his head and realized in the moment that he did when he accidentally said part of his bizarre thoughts out loud! I loved his comics. I loved, loved Greeley's wisdom and attractiveness. I liked how we got to know Our Guy's complicated feelings about his girlfriend, and her three-dimensional (!) character, and his best player-but-actually-good-hearted friend, and how he ascribed complex human emotions to the dogs. Ungh. I could go on. But you get the idea. Best of all, I loved how I cracked up on the train reading this. I have no shame in being that cackling commuter. Best way to start my school day.
*Although the use of the word "transvestite" is problematic at best and willingfully tongue-in-cheek hurtful or downright bigoted at almost-worst.
*Rereading, the "ever sporadic bean trees" scene gets me just as much. One of the funniest scenes I've ever read!
Read Alikes & Recommended to
fans of Steve Kluger's improbably wonderful and lovably flawed characters.
fans of Rainbow Rowell's romance, humor, and quirkiness
people who like a subplot ode to New York.
ellen_nnn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Like a lot of other reviewers, I really struggled to get through this one and almost DNF halfway through. I skim read quite a few of the chapters in the middle and found the end quite good.
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
4.0
Book #56 Read in 2016
Jonathan Unleashed by Meg Rosoff
Jonathan has moved to New York City and landed an advertising job. His brother asks him to watch his two dogs, Dante and Sissy, while he is out of the country. Jonathan begins to realize that his life is lacking direction and begins to make plans...not necessarily good plans....but plans. This book has a lot of humor in it, as well as romance. It was a good read. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Jonathan Unleashed by Meg Rosoff
Jonathan has moved to New York City and landed an advertising job. His brother asks him to watch his two dogs, Dante and Sissy, while he is out of the country. Jonathan begins to realize that his life is lacking direction and begins to make plans...not necessarily good plans....but plans. This book has a lot of humor in it, as well as romance. It was a good read. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
nyctarian's review against another edition
1.0
Dnf, perhaps borderline auteur in its nigh incomprehensible storytelling decisions, i will never relate to a protag who paints over red and gold w bland white
nnowels's review against another edition
2.0
I found myself losing patience with these characters. Wanted to like this, but couldn't take all the whining.
eversnow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alysona's review against another edition
4.0
Funny but with plenty to think about. The dogs were my favorite characters but you can't expect people to be that perfect.