falchionm's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
elisendemeter's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
eyesofkc's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
cousinrachel's review against another edition
2.0
Great beginning with a quirky, Gorey-like vibe. I thought it would turn into the protagonist being pushed to do crazy immoral things but it was more like he just decided to get bored with elliot. Limp ending.
montreux's review
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sheemsinbk's review against another edition
3.0
Quick and easy read which is about all I can handle right now. I went into it thinking it was going to be a comedy but there's a very dark edge to it. Well written and smart.
dannafs's review against another edition
4.0
Simon Rich tells a witty, entertaining, and creative tale of two teenage boys. Elliott Allagash is filthy rich, descending from the inventor of paper. He is also difficult, brilliant, and a con-artist. He plots to help Seymour - the narrator, an unpopular, picked-on nobody to become the most popular kid in school. The book tells wild stories of Allagash's family schemes, and also of Seymour's unorthodox rise to the top of his high school. The book is very short and a page-turner, which is good, because I think a lot of it is redundant. It is very funny, but by the end, I was ready for it to be over. However, I definitely recommend it, the schemes are hysterical and the writing itself is good.
pyrrhicspondee's review
3.0
Slight is the best word I can think of for this book. There was much more potential than what was here. Too long to be a short story, too short to be a satisfying novel. The inevitable break between Elliot and Seymour was sad, but oh, what a missed opportunity. Had it been a short story, it would have had the necessary emotional punch. Had there been more pages, Rich would have had the chance to better build the relationship and the breakdown. But written as is, I just wanted more . . . something. Something to make me give a shit.