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mrsfligs's review against another edition
2.0
The story of how I came to read this book is kind of funny. I had just finished a book on my Kindle and was looking for the next book to read. This showed up in my reading list (books I have flagged that I'm interested in reading). I didn't have any clear memory of adding it, but it turned out to be a free book to borrow from the Amazon Prime lending library so I decided to give it a go. The book is about the author's visit to Amsterdam years ago and his exploration of the red light district. It kept occurring to me that my husband (who enjoys travel books and wouldn't be UNinterested in a book that involves the red light district) might enjoy reading the book so I mentioned it to him. He said "That sounds like a book I put on the wish list in Amazon." That's when I realized that I hadn't put this book on my wish list ... I was reading a book from HIS wish list. We had a little laugh about it.
The thing is that I didn't really like the book all that much and was about to give up reading it, but I'm just one of those people who hates giving up on books. Plus just as I was about to give it up, the author FINALLY started getting to the meat of the story (what its like to be a prostitute in Amsterdam). Personally, I think the author took a long time to get the heart of the story and there isn't much to justify a full-length book here. It was mildly interesting, but overall I wouldn't recommend reading it unless the subject matter really interests you. Perhaps I didn't like it because it wasn't even a book I picked out! If my husband ever gets around to reading it, I'll let you know what he thinks. IN the meantime, I need to create a separate wish list to keep his books off of my wish list!
The thing is that I didn't really like the book all that much and was about to give up reading it, but I'm just one of those people who hates giving up on books. Plus just as I was about to give it up, the author FINALLY started getting to the meat of the story (what its like to be a prostitute in Amsterdam). Personally, I think the author took a long time to get the heart of the story and there isn't much to justify a full-length book here. It was mildly interesting, but overall I wouldn't recommend reading it unless the subject matter really interests you. Perhaps I didn't like it because it wasn't even a book I picked out! If my husband ever gets around to reading it, I'll let you know what he thinks. IN the meantime, I need to create a separate wish list to keep his books off of my wish list!
hedytf's review against another edition
1.0
If you're interested in the self-important, arrogant musings of an overprivileged American male, this is a great book. Otherwise, don't bother.
zehroni's review against another edition
3.0
I've never wanted to go to Amsterdam, but I loved reading about Wienir's travels through the city. It was a nice trip and really felt like I was there; the 90s Amsterdam atmosphere the author painted was wonderful to live in. Those moments were about 45 percent of the book and I enjoyed those bits the most. What I didn't like/what I found about this that just wasn't for me was the actual story/plot, I guess. I thought the book was going to be about the Red Light District and the women who worked there. I wanted this to give them names, stories, and to represent them more. What I got was a book about an "innocent" guy trying to write a book about the district and an interview thrown in at the end to justify it all. It's too much about him and not enough about the women or the district.
That said, I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. I couldn't put it down. I really wanted him to finally get his story. I'm just disappointed with the lack of a woman's voice here.
I won this in a goodreads giveaway!
That said, I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. I couldn't put it down. I really wanted him to finally get his story. I'm just disappointed with the lack of a woman's voice here.
I won this in a goodreads giveaway!
jessicamap's review against another edition
4.0
Check out my blog for more about the author and to read an excerpt from the book!
I have never been to Amsterdam, so this was something the piqued my curiosity. I always love reading stories or memoirs about places I haven't been to yet. I love when the authors can place the reader there and really set the scene for the rest of the novel.
These memoirs are always hard to review. It's a part of someone's life and their experiences as they remember and saw it. There are some topics covered in this novel that definitely aren't for everyone and I wouldn't recommend this for younger readers. We go on a journey with the author as he tries to find women in the industry to interview for his book - which was a lot harder than you would have thought! This memoir is equal parts exposé and travel diary, and it definitely kept my interest throughout.
I was impressed with the rules he set in place for himself from the beginning when it came to trying to interview the women in the sex industry of the red light district. I was no expecting the story that I got, and I was pleasantly surprised! I figured this would be a coming of age story of a young man going to the red light district for the first time. Instead we get a detailed look into the world of drugs and prostitution. I find these topics incredibly intriguing and would recommend this to those that feel the same way.
I give this 3.5/5 stars - rounded up for rating.
I have never been to Amsterdam, so this was something the piqued my curiosity. I always love reading stories or memoirs about places I haven't been to yet. I love when the authors can place the reader there and really set the scene for the rest of the novel.
These memoirs are always hard to review. It's a part of someone's life and their experiences as they remember and saw it. There are some topics covered in this novel that definitely aren't for everyone and I wouldn't recommend this for younger readers. We go on a journey with the author as he tries to find women in the industry to interview for his book - which was a lot harder than you would have thought! This memoir is equal parts exposé and travel diary, and it definitely kept my interest throughout.
I was impressed with the rules he set in place for himself from the beginning when it came to trying to interview the women in the sex industry of the red light district. I was no expecting the story that I got, and I was pleasantly surprised! I figured this would be a coming of age story of a young man going to the red light district for the first time. Instead we get a detailed look into the world of drugs and prostitution. I find these topics incredibly intriguing and would recommend this to those that feel the same way.
I give this 3.5/5 stars - rounded up for rating.
bookwormmuse's review against another edition
2.0
I was kindly given an e-ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It is a very hard book to review, in that, it's just...not going to be everybody's cup of tea. If you are under eighteen and thinking of reading it, just don't. I am not tempting you into reading it, that is not what this is, it simply isn't the book for you.
I think the problem with Amsterdam Exposed is the fact that it all happened quite a while ago. A lot has changed since then. Even if I were to discount that, there's also the matter of the way author went about the whole thing. I just couldn't understand why he went to such lengths to do those things, in the end, all we get is just one story of a person who went through a lot. There is a certain lack of sympathy and understanding of the bigger picture. Or maybe that was how the author intended it to be. A singular focus on the problem.
Overall, I loved the way he wrote? His detailed writing is what drew me in, I always love it when authors write with such detail. I also loved the way he used the Dutch language, I have absolutely no knowledge of the language but a friend helped me out. All in all, this book was an eye-opener and not particularly in a good way but if you are interested in getting know Amsterdam, then go for it, it is worth reading.
It is a very hard book to review, in that, it's just...not going to be everybody's cup of tea. If you are under eighteen and thinking of reading it, just don't. I am not tempting you into reading it, that is not what this is, it simply isn't the book for you.
I think the problem with Amsterdam Exposed is the fact that it all happened quite a while ago. A lot has changed since then. Even if I were to discount that, there's also the matter of the way author went about the whole thing. I just couldn't understand why he went to such lengths to do those things, in the end, all we get is just one story of a person who went through a lot. There is a certain lack of sympathy and understanding of the bigger picture. Or maybe that was how the author intended it to be. A singular focus on the problem.
Overall, I loved the way he wrote? His detailed writing is what drew me in, I always love it when authors write with such detail. I also loved the way he used the Dutch language, I have absolutely no knowledge of the language but a friend helped me out. All in all, this book was an eye-opener and not particularly in a good way but if you are interested in getting know Amsterdam, then go for it, it is worth reading.
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