roschie123's review against another edition
2.0
I received this novel as a gift from the author. He asked only that I give an honest review. I am sorry to say I did not enjoy this story. It took everything I had to get through the entire book. I had a hard time with the characters. I did not like any of the characters. I despised the main character most of all. I am truly sorry but I found the whole story quite boring.
jaxlynleigh's review against another edition
3.0
This book started out strong and the idea of someone not standing up for a display of patriotism is certainly relevant today. However, towards the middle to second third of the book, Arnold’s life on the lam started to become a little unbelievable. I did enjoy the final few pages and how the author has left the resolution of the story up to the reader.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
laurensalisbury's review against another edition
1.0
Nope.
So much wrong with this. It's painful to read this kind of storyline told about a mediocre middle aged white man right now.
I peaced out at the unapologetic use of the n-word by the white protagonist written by the white author. Now something I can stomach right now, satire/comedic portrayal or not.
So much wrong with this. It's painful to read this kind of storyline told about a mediocre middle aged white man right now.
I peaced out at the unapologetic use of the n-word by the white protagonist written by the white author. Now something I can stomach right now, satire/comedic portrayal or not.
encharro's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emsterino19's review against another edition
5.0
Arnold Brinkman's day isn't going well, resulting in his entire life going downhill. A split-second decision that snowballs in one hysterical, disturbing turn of events after another. This book does exactly what satire is supposed to do: It made me laugh and then it made me think, which made me feel terrible (at times) about what our world has become.
If you find yourself able to laugh at the idiosyncrasies of Patriotism and the US of A, pick up this book by one of my favorite authors!
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
If you find yourself able to laugh at the idiosyncrasies of Patriotism and the US of A, pick up this book by one of my favorite authors!
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
guinness74's review against another edition
4.0
Per FCC regulations, I received this book as a gift from the author.
The premise of this book was one I felt held such promise that I tried multiple times to win a copy. So many times, apparently, that the author finally contacted me and asked if I'd like a complimentary copy. From that brief paragraph, I identified with the protagonist, Arnold Brinkman, so much so that I've often thought of doing the very thing that begins this book. I identified with him on several levels throughout the novel, but there were also moments in the novel that the chaos was so "off-the-rails" that I found it a little too odd. Still, this novel is really an impressive read as it pokes at many of the issues that plague our country, not least of which is knee-jerk patriotism and the constant news cycle. Also enjoyable, was the Bare-Ass Bandit who is Central Park's answer to "V for Vendetta."
I like baseball, and I'm not a fan of weeding, so I'm certainly no Arnold Brinkman, but he certainly does provide for a wealth of possibilities. A very worthwhile book.
The premise of this book was one I felt held such promise that I tried multiple times to win a copy. So many times, apparently, that the author finally contacted me and asked if I'd like a complimentary copy. From that brief paragraph, I identified with the protagonist, Arnold Brinkman, so much so that I've often thought of doing the very thing that begins this book. I identified with him on several levels throughout the novel, but there were also moments in the novel that the chaos was so "off-the-rails" that I found it a little too odd. Still, this novel is really an impressive read as it pokes at many of the issues that plague our country, not least of which is knee-jerk patriotism and the constant news cycle. Also enjoyable, was the Bare-Ass Bandit who is Central Park's answer to "V for Vendetta."
I like baseball, and I'm not a fan of weeding, so I'm certainly no Arnold Brinkman, but he certainly does provide for a wealth of possibilities. A very worthwhile book.
celestialviolence's review against another edition
5.0
Appel has the art of subtlety. What looks to at first be innocent descriptions are in reality sharp and witty commentary on a post 9/11 America. This book is at once both a humorous and a critical look at Americans and their attitudes when it comes to patriotism. The characters are well-rounded, even the secondary characters. You really get to feel like you know all of them on a personal level and they stand out as being quite vivid. If you're looking for a good and quick read that will make you think and laugh, I'd highly recommend this.
curlyjessreads's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting concept, and at first I told my husband he would probably want to read it after me, but then I told him not to bother. Got way too unrealistic! Also frequent editing errors with the timeline of events was annoying! Ex. "After ten days with her..." ... "A few days later..." ... "What are we celebrating? My one week anniversary of being in hiding?" Um... what? Unacceptable! :-P
thrifty_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this novel as a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you. In no way did that affect my review.
A man takes his nephew to a baseball game and doesn't stand up during the playing of God Bless America. When the cameras put his face on the big screen, the man still doesn't stand up and sticks out his tongue. What follows is the story of how a introverted botanist becomes America's most hated man.
What I loved about this book was that the premise was believable. With the "news" coverage some stations provide, it's easy to turn something simple like not standing during a song into a federal crime. And in a country that was founded on religious freedom, people are made out to be un-American if they don't share the religion of Americans in power.
Of course, this being a satire, hyperbole is involved. I won't go into detail and risk a spoiler, but some parts were less than likely. My only real gripe is the ending, which stunk.
I'm looking forward to reading [b:So You've Been Publicly Shamed|23470849|So You've Been Publicly Shamed|Jon Ronson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424277151s/23470849.jpg|43062778] by one of my favorite non-fiction authors, which seems like it will chronicle real-life events that mirror this fictional one.
I would read Appel again.
A man takes his nephew to a baseball game and doesn't stand up during the playing of God Bless America. When the cameras put his face on the big screen, the man still doesn't stand up and sticks out his tongue. What follows is the story of how a introverted botanist becomes America's most hated man.
What I loved about this book was that the premise was believable. With the "news" coverage some stations provide, it's easy to turn something simple like not standing during a song into a federal crime. And in a country that was founded on religious freedom, people are made out to be un-American if they don't share the religion of Americans in power.
Of course, this being a satire, hyperbole is involved. I won't go into detail and risk a spoiler, but some parts were less than likely. My only real gripe is the ending, which stunk.
I'm looking forward to reading [b:So You've Been Publicly Shamed|23470849|So You've Been Publicly Shamed|Jon Ronson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424277151s/23470849.jpg|43062778] by one of my favorite non-fiction authors, which seems like it will chronicle real-life events that mirror this fictional one.
I would read Appel again.
jexxikka's review
4.0
Arnold Brinkman, a botanist living in New York City, is a pretty good guy. He "recycles scrupulously and overpays his taxes," he's a loving husband, and he manages to live a pretty normal, low-key life. But then he refuses to stand up at a baseball game while "God Bless America" plays as a tribute to two local soldiers killed in action. He becomes the talk of the town immediately, labelled everything from a loser to a nutcase, and eventually a traitor and a terrorist. Arnold soon becomes the most wanted man in the country and is forced to go into hiding, shacking up with some unlikely characters to avoid jail time or worse for his "crime."
This book was a great satire that made some fantastic points regarding patriotism, mob mentality, and the media and sensationalism. I loved that this book managed to be a fun and interesting read while still raising some serious questions about our society.
I really enjoyed reading this book overall. I only had a couple of issues with this book -- there were quite a few grammatical and punctuation errors (I read an e-book copy that I won free in a giveaway, so I'm not sure if these issues have been fixed in print copies) and I really hated the ending. Problems aside, I really liked this book, but it isn't the kind of book I'd recommend to everyone I know. I think only a certain type of person will enjoy the combination of farce, wit, satire, and the slightly pretentious vibe that the main character gives that make up this story, but I would recommend it to those who enjoy sarcasm and have a politically incorrect sense of humor.
This book was a great satire that made some fantastic points regarding patriotism, mob mentality, and the media and sensationalism. I loved that this book managed to be a fun and interesting read while still raising some serious questions about our society.
I really enjoyed reading this book overall. I only had a couple of issues with this book -- there were quite a few grammatical and punctuation errors (I read an e-book copy that I won free in a giveaway, so I'm not sure if these issues have been fixed in print copies) and I really hated the ending.