carolinereader's review against another edition
2.0
The actual writing is good, but the plot is not great. There are peeks of a wonderful story marred by a lot of stuff that's both unbelievable and superfluous. It gives a somewhat accurate look at a small window of time in recent American history, but then takes advantage of the nostalgia or forgiving nature of the reader. I would be interested to discuss this book with others but wouldn't go as far as to recommend it.
morag's review against another edition
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
When you hear people complain about how all adult fiction is just insufferable middle aged guys in shitty marriages, this is the book they're talking about. Granted, he's being cheated on, not doing the cheating, but it doesn't matter. Incredibly annoying. Don't bother.
lorimichelekelley's review against another edition
4.0
Audible edition: This is a story about a middle-aged couple who hit bottom financially, and the stupid decisions they make to try to recover, and then how it all falls apart. But while that sounds boring, it is anything but. The narration by the main character Matt is fast and witty, kind of like a hyperactive kid all giddy about his topic. The poetry is corny, but sort of endearing because you're rooting for the guy but at the same time shaking your head at how effed up his reasoning is. And that's another thing that makes this such a good story - it gently shows how tiny stupid decisions can lead to big fallout, but at the same time, that sometimes the fallout isn't such a bad deal after all. It just helps to put things into proper perspective, if only for a time...
banjax451's review against another edition
1.0
Didn't enjoy this. Couldn't get into it. I like Jess Walter and have enjoyed his novels in the past, but this one just didn't do it for me. I respect what he was trying to write about, but just found this incredibly depressing.
randybo5's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as I read this book. It was funny and well-written, but was like watching a train wreck as the main character made one stupid decision after another.
blevins's review against another edition
3.0
Satire by Jess Walters about a man desperate to make some money quick who gets involved with some not-so-bright-ideas relating to illegal activities. Fast paced, but it didn't really do much for me as a whole. I should have written this little blurb a month ago when I finished it.
pustulio's review against another edition
3.0
Una calificación real sería 2 estrellas, pero la tercera se la puse por asuntos personales. En mi familia tuvimos una crisis que si bien no se parece del todo a la situación del libro, tiene puntos en los que me puedo sentir identificado.
Es lo que se podría denominar como una crisis de los 40. Pero de las culeras, donde pierdes todo. El libro al final tiene un mensaje un poco de que cuando pierdes todo te das cuenta de lo que realmente es importante, pero no tan clichetero. Pensé que iba a ser más pretencioso pero la verdad es una lectura ligera con un persona principal patético pero simpático.
Desiciones pendejas las tomamos todos en algún momento de la vida.
Y ahora una representación gráfica de cuando crees tomar una buena decisión.
Es lo que se podría denominar como una crisis de los 40. Pero de las culeras, donde pierdes todo. El libro al final tiene un mensaje un poco de que cuando pierdes todo te das cuenta de lo que realmente es importante, pero no tan clichetero. Pensé que iba a ser más pretencioso pero la verdad es una lectura ligera con un persona principal patético pero simpático.
Desiciones pendejas las tomamos todos en algún momento de la vida.
Y ahora una representación gráfica de cuando crees tomar una buena decisión.
proffy's review
3.0
Matt's life is swirling down the toilet - no job, no prospects, a senile father, a possibly-cheating wife, a house about to be reclaimed, and two kids in private school. When he randomly meets up with some stoners at a 7/11, Matt's life takes an unexpected turn, and he makes some unusual decisions. But really, could things get any worse?
Everybody, their mother, and their dog seem to have nothing but gushy goodness to say about this book. Hailed as an artfully written novel full of laugh out loud moments and biting satire, The Financial Lives of the Poets is regarded by many - bloggers and "professional" critics alike - as one of the year's best novels. Eh...okay. Now I did enjoy the book. I thought it was a unique read with some very relevant points about American culture and ideology, but I wasn't blown away by it as everyone else seems to be.
So now that most of you want to stone me for not falling in passionate, suicide-inducing love with this book, let me go back to why I do like it. Originality and humor. Pontificating on the financial crisis and the cultural climate which allowed the crisis to occur through this particular plot is both unique and hilarious. And while I had a great deal of trouble falling in with the extremely bad decisions being made, the characters did feel like real people, the details of them nicely coalescing into unified and believable wholes. Just not wholes I would like. At all.
Everybody, their mother, and their dog seem to have nothing but gushy goodness to say about this book. Hailed as an artfully written novel full of laugh out loud moments and biting satire, The Financial Lives of the Poets is regarded by many - bloggers and "professional" critics alike - as one of the year's best novels. Eh...okay. Now I did enjoy the book. I thought it was a unique read with some very relevant points about American culture and ideology, but I wasn't blown away by it as everyone else seems to be.
So now that most of you want to stone me for not falling in passionate, suicide-inducing love with this book, let me go back to why I do like it. Originality and humor. Pontificating on the financial crisis and the cultural climate which allowed the crisis to occur through this particular plot is both unique and hilarious. And while I had a great deal of trouble falling in with the extremely bad decisions being made, the characters did feel like real people, the details of them nicely coalescing into unified and believable wholes. Just not wholes I would like. At all.