peacebath's review
4.0
A quick, but interesting read, this book should be recognized for its form. The author makes good use of the "choose your own adventure theme" to put into perspective the trap relationships can sometimes be. I would like to spend some time cross-referencing the directions at the end of each page to see if there's any relation; but any such links would only enhance the book. More then worth the $5 for a new copy.
laminatedmoth's review
4.0
Well, I finally stumbled across this at the Portland Zine Symposium. I read it straight through instead of following the pages it had told me to take based on my decisions. The author uses this in such an interesting way to reflect the importance and regret associated with every decision the reader makes. And you will regret every decision with this book.
It's been quite a long time since I've felt such betrayal or powerlessness from literature.
I don't know if I'd recommend it; this was painful.
Whoever the anonymous Portland author is, definitely succeeded with his intentions.
It's been quite a long time since I've felt such betrayal or powerlessness from literature.
I don't know if I'd recommend it; this was painful.
Whoever the anonymous Portland author is, definitely succeeded with his intentions.
hewi's review
5.0
This is one of those books where I had no issues with it and thus it is five stars. I also think it manages to very successfully describe something so intensely truthful and painful to describe. It does so shortly and still manages to be fun. There is the CYOA element which I did ignore and read straight from beginning to end but I believe its supposed to contribute to the story in saying how despite the narrators decisions, the ending would be the ending. The starfighter facade contributes to this, relevant to the narrators escapism, which is alluded to. This is nonetheless something I believe I can recommend to others. Huge trigger warnings for addiction and alcoholism.
halloweden's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
benny_benjamin's review
Strange book. Written in second person which I have only ever seen in choose your own adventure books. "You" meet and start dating Anne who is battling alcoholism, but is she really battling it, or are you battling her alcoholism? The book reads chronologically from Aug. 1, 2002 to Nov. 14, 2006 with diary-like entries about what 'You' did.
On the back cover of the book it says "Not a choose your own adventure" but the footnotes at the bottom of the pages that tell you to turn to different dates, or the choices you have to make about crash landing onto the alien ant-warrior planet before proceeding to different pages would lead the reader to believe differently.
On the back cover of the book it says "Not a choose your own adventure" but the footnotes at the bottom of the pages that tell you to turn to different dates, or the choices you have to make about crash landing onto the alien ant-warrior planet before proceeding to different pages would lead the reader to believe differently.
starnosedmole's review
4.0
A novella about a man's relationship with an alcoholic, in Choose Your Own Adventure format. The book can be read straight through, with the feel of a diary. Heartbreaking, articulate and a fast read.
imbookingit's review
3.0
3.5 stars
An honest look at life with an alcoholic. I saw what the "Choose your own adventure" framework was trying to do, but it didn't quite work for me. The story (and writing) itself were plenty compelling on their own.
I have no idea how to shelve this book.
An honest look at life with an alcoholic. I saw what the "Choose your own adventure" framework was trying to do, but it didn't quite work for me. The story (and writing) itself were plenty compelling on their own.
I have no idea how to shelve this book.
lucyrosemack's review
4.0
i’ve never really read anything like this, and i want to read more! i’m from portland and i found it in the local section of the bookstore and i of course was really into the cover and the title and i ended up buying it, and when i got home, i sat down and read it cover to cover. i’m a really big fan of books written in journals and letters and other alternative formats, and this book really did that for me.
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