abookdork's review
4.0
"Dear Catastrophe Waitress" is exactly the type of book I have been looking for! Not only did I have trouble putting it down, but it is about characters in their 20's! YAY! Maybe I just haven't been searching hard enough, but I have been having a difficult time finding books with characters in their 20s.
Here are some real reasons to read the book. I loved the two main characters. Yes they had their problems, but they were realistic. It's the story of two people just trying to find their way in a cruel world. Yes this book deals with serious issues, but it is also really funny. One of the main characters actually dresses in a purple suit and sings songs about poop to children, which sounds completely juvenile, but it ends up being a cute addition to the story. I like when characters don't take themselves too seriously!
Here are some real reasons to read the book. I loved the two main characters. Yes they had their problems, but they were realistic. It's the story of two people just trying to find their way in a cruel world. Yes this book deals with serious issues, but it is also really funny. One of the main characters actually dresses in a purple suit and sings songs about poop to children, which sounds completely juvenile, but it ends up being a cute addition to the story. I like when characters don't take themselves too seriously!
quietjenn's review
4.0
i feel like i should probably hate this book (so twee! right down to the belle and sebastian title.) and yet, i pretty much loved it. go figure.
acinthedc's review
4.0
the reference to belle and sebastian drew me to this book... was worth the read
theartolater's review
4.0
Closer to a 4.5. A very Hornby-esque ride, which took the taste of the latest Hornby book out of my mouth. This made me laugh out loud a few times, as well, which is rare.
A very fun read.
A very fun read.
mcipher's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book - it was entertaining, funny, sad, everything a good book should be. Unputdownable. I especially loved the author's trick of letting you know what external "characters" were thinking - CVS clerks, waiters, etc. - versus what the characters were sure they were thinking. Only one quibble, and it's probably my fault for reading so fast - sometimes I felt like there wasn't a clear delineation of how much time just went by, and I would be surprised by how old the characters were. But that's a tiny nitpick. I plan to pick up all Halpin's other books, hoping they're half as good as this one was!
sandyd's review
5.0
Very adult novel by an author whose teen books I love. It's hard for me to review this, partially because there is so much going on in the story, and partially because I now know the author reads these reviews. I did really enjoy it, though the characters (especially Philippa) annoyed me sometimes. I found myself thinking about them a lot after the book ended, which is the mark of a really good book (for me, anyway).
It's told in alternating male/female viewpoints (like some of Halpin's other books), and it is much less cutesy than the cover blurb would have you believe it is. It's basically the story of two damaged people finding each other, and all the failed relationships that led to this. There's a lot of good stuff about parenting, teachers, music, and dealing with abusive drunks in it, with some great sly snarkiness.
Reminds me a bit of the best of Jonathan Tropper and/or Jennifer Weiner.
It's told in alternating male/female viewpoints (like some of Halpin's other books), and it is much less cutesy than the cover blurb would have you believe it is. It's basically the story of two damaged people finding each other, and all the failed relationships that led to this. There's a lot of good stuff about parenting, teachers, music, and dealing with abusive drunks in it, with some great sly snarkiness.
Reminds me a bit of the best of Jonathan Tropper and/or Jennifer Weiner.
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