jshaiba1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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
5.0
christinejschmidt's review against another edition
5.0
I love McClanahan's ability to brush up against poetic writing but keep the narrative clear and simple. I'll read anything he writes. I saw him read last night in Brooklyn and his intensity towards his work just makes me enjoy it even more. This is coming from a true place, and I appreciate that.
mrsthrift's review against another edition
http://www.themillions.com/2013/12/a-year-in-reading-nick-moran-3.html
melissarochelle's review against another edition
2.0
I knew making my way through the Tournament of Books shortlist would be a challenge. I read for good stories, not good writing. I don't care if a writer comes from some fantastic MFA program in Iowa or NYC. I want a book that entertains or educates or something. This little book takes everything bad that could happen to a kid and makes it happen. It was a tough read -- like watching 12 Years a Slave -- you know these things have happened to people, but it doesn't make it any easier to read/watch.
And IS this a memoir? Is it fiction? And what is the title about? Did I miss a Hill named William? Is it supposed to remind me of a higher class of hill billies in Appalachia?
I have no idea. Scott's story -- the guy in the book which could be the author -- is full of lots of bad and lots of odd and lots of stuff. At the end, he tells me he loves me, but the ending didn't make any sense to me anyway.
I swear, sometimes people rave about books just so they can seem smarter and I am SO not that person. SO...yeah...not the book for this reader.
And IS this a memoir? Is it fiction? And what is the title about? Did I miss a Hill named William? Is it supposed to remind me of a higher class of hill billies in Appalachia?
I have no idea. Scott's story -- the guy in the book which could be the author -- is full of lots of bad and lots of odd and lots of stuff. At the end, he tells me he loves me, but the ending didn't make any sense to me anyway.
I swear, sometimes people rave about books just so they can seem smarter and I am SO not that person. SO...yeah...not the book for this reader.
glabeson's review against another edition
1.0
seriously disturbing. need to go watch disney channel.
ottopivnr's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in a day. I can't remember the last time I read a book, albeit a short one, in just one day. I'm not sure I shouldn't have stepped away from this one for a bit. It's not really disturbing so much as disquieting. I suppose we all realize there are lots of folks out there like the characters in this book, we just wish they only lived in appallachia, not down the street. McClanahan is a talent.
mikaiya's review against another edition
4.0
Oh tournament of books, you find all the rough reads for me. This book punched me in the face... Made me crazy... But I know I'll go crazy again.