mamalemma's review against another edition
4.0
I do so love a Richard Russo book, and was delighted when my friend Tom dropped it by my house unexpectedly. Even better, it's a book centered around academia, a topic near and dear to my heart. The book explores what you get when you cross middle aged academics who have worked together for 20 years, bickering, harboring grudges, sharing friendships, romances and alliances, and put them up against state-mandated budget cuts. Absurdist fun, interlaced with melancholic ruminations on age and dwindling careers.
cynicalworm's review against another edition
5.0
While waiting for this book to free up at the library, I read two of Russo's other books. Both, including the one that won a Pulitzer, were duds.
Heading into this one, I wondered whether I was majestically stubborn or stupidly optimistic to enter a third Russo world. I'm glad I did.
Delightfully funny with beautiful sentences, and the perfect amount of self loathing and what-could-have-beens.
Heading into this one, I wondered whether I was majestically stubborn or stupidly optimistic to enter a third Russo world. I'm glad I did.
Delightfully funny with beautiful sentences, and the perfect amount of self loathing and what-could-have-beens.
sherri_larue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gabe_reads's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I found this incredibly funny, and ended up liking the plot a lot more than I thought I would. I liked how mundane and petty it all was, and how everyone (perhaps except his wife) was mediocre to kinda shitty.
I enjoyed his first person perspective, with the inside thoughts and comedy that it brought to everything. It was also good work creating a main character who is likable to the reader and the other characters but is also such an infuriating prat.
I thought the main character (and particularly his humour) felt like a caricature/extreme version of quite a few people I know, probably including myself. A lot of the things he says for the bit are things that we wish we'd have the balls to say. The way he constantly stirs the pot and prods at people. And the way he bumbles through life is in a way quite admirable. Don't get me wrong, he's a deeply unpleasant person, who I would not want to be like and could certainly not be friends with. But in the setting of the story I think he's class.
I thought the setting of the university was well made. With people who are largely washed up and past their prime; who hate their jobs and those around them; and have generally unsatisfactory, crummy lives.
His antics towards the conclusion did slightly take me out of the realism of the whole thing.
I enjoyed his first person perspective, with the inside thoughts and comedy that it brought to everything. It was also good work creating a main character who is likable to the reader and the other characters but is also such an infuriating prat.
I thought the main character (and particularly his humour) felt like a caricature/extreme version of quite a few people I know, probably including myself. A lot of the things he says for the bit are things that we wish we'd have the balls to say. The way he constantly stirs the pot and prods at people. And the way he bumbles through life is in a way quite admirable. Don't get me wrong, he's a deeply unpleasant person, who I would not want to be like and could certainly not be friends with. But in the setting of the story I think he's class.
I thought the setting of the university was well made. With people who are largely washed up and past their prime; who hate their jobs and those around them; and have generally unsatisfactory, crummy lives.
His antics towards the conclusion did slightly take me out of the realism of the whole thing.
dansbarra's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thebeardedpoet's review against another edition
1.0
Not all Richard Russo novels are created equal. I loved Bridge of Sighs, but this novel is an awful experience. I wouldn't recommend this unless you enjoy the company of someone revels in the pettiness of the people all around him because it gives him a chance to further stir the pot and offend just about everyone in the process. The narrator compulsively picks at the wounds of others for no other reason than to have a laugh about it. Not only is the narrator annoying and offensive, but the company he keeps is even worse at times. Lecherous sex-maniacs, insecure ego-trippers, drunks, and phonies.
I'll say this about this novel, I found the sour personalities and petty in-fighting convincing enough to make me very very glad I never went the route of a career in academia. (Of course, I know all English Departments aren't like this one, but the whole thing rang true, depressing as that may be.)
I kept hoping for a turn around, for redemption, for enlightenment, for sympathy, but my patience gave out about halfway through. I couldn't bare it anymore and finally gave up.
I'll say this about this novel, I found the sour personalities and petty in-fighting convincing enough to make me very very glad I never went the route of a career in academia. (Of course, I know all English Departments aren't like this one, but the whole thing rang true, depressing as that may be.)
I kept hoping for a turn around, for redemption, for enlightenment, for sympathy, but my patience gave out about halfway through. I couldn't bare it anymore and finally gave up.
overlordror's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
lorimichelekelley's review against another edition
2.0
Audible version: This was my first Russo book, so I don't know if it's him or if this book is just dated now, having been first published in 1997. I didn't find it funny. I didn't like Hank at all. He was one of those 20th century smug men who have a superiority complex that they try to hide through wry humor but it doesn't hide it from anyone but himself. Yuk! He reminds me of too many people I've had the unfortunate acquaintance of, and I would have preferred not to have to spend time with this one. BUT, there were other characters, so I listened to the whole thing. It did have a few humorous moments and wrapped things up nicely. My curiosity about Russo has been fulfilled, and he won't be going on my list of authors to read again.
dwhite1174's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0