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marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
Boomer1 is partly narrated by Mark, a deeply in debt thirty-something year old, who feels he deserves to have the career and money he wants and since he can't have that, he decides to incite a revolution to make Baby Boomers give up their jobs, to those younger than them. Actually, Mark is so unmotivated to achieve anything, that the incitement happens despite himself. He writes the words and then other people living off their parents, in their basements, take up the cause and make it bigger.
Another narrator is Cassie, Mark's ex girlfriend who is blindsided by his marriage proposal, complete with a $14,000 ring, that threw Mark deeper into debt. Cassie works hard, doesn't spend time feeling sorry for herself despite her romantic relationships not always going her way and being dumped from a band. Cassie is creative and makes the most of her creativity, flourishing as Mark flounders. Her refusal to marry Mark is cited as one of his reasons for his rebellion.
I went from thinking this was a three star book for me, to it turning into a four star book, by the end. Being a person who does not read music or make music, some of the very long thoughts and sentences by the three narrators, on their feelings about music, really bogged down the book for me. But later in the book, I began to really enjoy the narration of Julia, the mom of Mark. I couldn't relate to her younger self but I was drawn to her older self, as she struggled with deafness and the hurtful and destructive words and acts of her son (despite not being deaf or having children myself).
The other part of the book that I had my doubts about was that I wasn't sure if the book was going to take Mark's case up and run with it. I didn't see how it could be turned into the type of crusade that he was after, but to my delight, it was treated as it would be treated in real life. I won't say what happens to Mark (which is a non event...the very thing that Mark deserves). Mark doesn't even get a voice in the last part of the book, which is also the appropriate way to treat him, in my opinion.
I'm glad I read the book and will read more books by Daniel Torday. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Another narrator is Cassie, Mark's ex girlfriend who is blindsided by his marriage proposal, complete with a $14,000 ring, that threw Mark deeper into debt. Cassie works hard, doesn't spend time feeling sorry for herself despite her romantic relationships not always going her way and being dumped from a band. Cassie is creative and makes the most of her creativity, flourishing as Mark flounders. Her refusal to marry Mark is cited as one of his reasons for his rebellion.
I went from thinking this was a three star book for me, to it turning into a four star book, by the end. Being a person who does not read music or make music, some of the very long thoughts and sentences by the three narrators, on their feelings about music, really bogged down the book for me. But later in the book, I began to really enjoy the narration of Julia, the mom of Mark. I couldn't relate to her younger self but I was drawn to her older self, as she struggled with deafness and the hurtful and destructive words and acts of her son (despite not being deaf or having children myself).
The other part of the book that I had my doubts about was that I wasn't sure if the book was going to take Mark's case up and run with it. I didn't see how it could be turned into the type of crusade that he was after, but to my delight, it was treated as it would be treated in real life. I won't say what happens to Mark (which is a non event...the very thing that Mark deserves). Mark doesn't even get a voice in the last part of the book, which is also the appropriate way to treat him, in my opinion.
I'm glad I read the book and will read more books by Daniel Torday. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
act4life25's review against another edition
2.0
There was so much promise for this novel and I wanted to like it so badly but it seemed to miss the mark. Cassie’s character was likeable and well developed while Mark seemed to be all over the place. Julia, on the other hand, was completely forgettable.
Like I mentioned, the topic of Baby Boomer vs Millennials and the impacts of each generation is a great concept but the execution was poor. This could have been a great conversation starter. I even like the idea of the story basically poking fun at itself but that all ended up falling flat.
I may possible read more of Daniel Torday’s work in the future because I do think that he writes well.
Like I mentioned, the topic of Baby Boomer vs Millennials and the impacts of each generation is a great concept but the execution was poor. This could have been a great conversation starter. I even like the idea of the story basically poking fun at itself but that all ended up falling flat.
I may possible read more of Daniel Torday’s work in the future because I do think that he writes well.
rocketiza's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this a whole lot more based on what it was about, but I can't stand Torday's style. Every fucking character section began with "there were two major events that happened to them, and now I'm going to tell you them," overly long and unnecessary passages, and one entire character arc felt like a missed opportunity to make a point.
emilybryk's review against another edition
4.0
Comfortably between a 3 and a 4 for me.
I would read an entire Cassie book, and I would have left a Julia book unfinished. So. It's solidly written and engagingly plotted right through to the last quarter or so, where things happen a little too quickly for my liking.
I would read an entire Cassie book, and I would have left a Julia book unfinished. So. It's solidly written and engagingly plotted right through to the last quarter or so, where things happen a little too quickly for my liking.
kbranfield's review against another edition
3.0
Boomer1 by Daniel Torday is a well-written satire about a millennial who inadvertently starts a revolution against baby boomers.
Mark Brumfeld feels like the world should be his oyster yet he has failed to achieve the career goals he set for himself. He's a musician who puts his educational goals first and grows increasingly frustrated when he cannot land a job. Of course it does not help that he is entering the work force in the midst of the fiscal crash but Mark feels like baby boomers should retire so young workers can take their place (!). When he is unceremoniously dumped by his live-in girlfriend, Cassie Black, he eventually moves back in with his parents. Now living in their basement, Mark begins filming anonymous rants against baby boomers that quickly go viral. These videos are co-opted by others who turn it into domestic terrorist organization. Mark's life takes a sharply downward turn after he resumes his friendship with childhood buddy "Costco" Long.
Cassie is from the mid-west and she is thrilled to be out from under her conservative parents' thumb. Unlike Mark, she does not want a traditional life and she is content with the status quo. When he tries to take their relationship in a more serious direction, Cassie quickly runs out on him. Her career takes an unexpectedly upward trajectory through a series of lucky breaks and hard work. Surprisingly happy with her job, Cassie is very much on the periphery of Mark's life but they do have some contact and she is shocked by the direction his life takes.
Boomer1 has an intriguing premise but the pacing is extremely slow. The characters are unlikable, unsympathetic and excessively whiny. There is very little action since readers spend the most of their time inside the various characters' heads (which in all honestly, is a somewhat dreary place to be). The novel is a satire but the depressing storyline makes it difficult to find much to laugh about. Daniel Torday brings the novel to a twist-filled conclusion that is full of surprises.
Mark Brumfeld feels like the world should be his oyster yet he has failed to achieve the career goals he set for himself. He's a musician who puts his educational goals first and grows increasingly frustrated when he cannot land a job. Of course it does not help that he is entering the work force in the midst of the fiscal crash but Mark feels like baby boomers should retire so young workers can take their place (!). When he is unceremoniously dumped by his live-in girlfriend, Cassie Black, he eventually moves back in with his parents. Now living in their basement, Mark begins filming anonymous rants against baby boomers that quickly go viral. These videos are co-opted by others who turn it into domestic terrorist organization. Mark's life takes a sharply downward turn after he resumes his friendship with childhood buddy "Costco" Long.
Cassie is from the mid-west and she is thrilled to be out from under her conservative parents' thumb. Unlike Mark, she does not want a traditional life and she is content with the status quo. When he tries to take their relationship in a more serious direction, Cassie quickly runs out on him. Her career takes an unexpectedly upward trajectory through a series of lucky breaks and hard work. Surprisingly happy with her job, Cassie is very much on the periphery of Mark's life but they do have some contact and she is shocked by the direction his life takes.
Boomer1 has an intriguing premise but the pacing is extremely slow. The characters are unlikable, unsympathetic and excessively whiny. There is very little action since readers spend the most of their time inside the various characters' heads (which in all honestly, is a somewhat dreary place to be). The novel is a satire but the depressing storyline makes it difficult to find much to laugh about. Daniel Torday brings the novel to a twist-filled conclusion that is full of surprises.
mcbeezie's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. I didn't know what to expect, but this novel was intense. You could feel the frustration of the Boomer Boomers in Mark's sections. Very interesting take on the millennial vs. baby boomer generations. Definitely an interesting read that makes you think. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
klashmore4's review against another edition
2.0
It had potential, but in the end, wasn’t for me. It felt like such a slow lead up to the climax, and fizzled out pretty quickly. No wrap up on Mark/Isaac, the initiative or the other’s lives long term.
rlynnparsons's review against another edition
1.0
I'd really rate it 1.5 stars. If it weren't for book club and the fact that the supervisor who chose the book is so nice, I probably wouldn't have finished it. I didn't find the characters likable other than Julia and even though intense and exciting things seemed to be happening, I wasn't on the edge of my seat either. I was a bit bored the whole time as I was reading it. I think it did get a little better once Cassie gets her job at Razorwire. I would have preferred if the story was told entirely from Cassie's perspective, Julia's perspective, or Mark's perspective instead of the sections of the book flipping between them. I don't think it added too much to the story, other than being able to compare Cassie's experiences to Julia's.
ramonamead's review against another edition
2.0
While I appreciate that this novel is timely and relevant, it simply didn't resonate with me. I am in between the millennial and baby boomer generations, and I can see both sides of the issue. Boomers are working past the retirement age, hanging on to jobs the younger generations have been working toward.
The novel started out strong and I was intrigued, however by the half way point, I just didn't care too much. The writing throughout is sharp and witty, but I just couldn't rally any emotional energy for Mark and Cassie. The only character I enjoyed is Julia, whose sacrifices for her family (and some resentment because of them) felt more realistic than the rest of the story.
The novel started out strong and I was intrigued, however by the half way point, I just didn't care too much. The writing throughout is sharp and witty, but I just couldn't rally any emotional energy for Mark and Cassie. The only character I enjoyed is Julia, whose sacrifices for her family (and some resentment because of them) felt more realistic than the rest of the story.
nelisp83's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start on this book. The story is told from three different perspectives, and I struggled to connect with one of those voices. The writing is brilliant, and the author does create three very distinct voices throughout.