shh_fbi's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
nonlinearpaolo's review against another edition
4.0
Io sento le schegge di olio gelato del Nevada sui denti, Jerry Lee
ambava's review against another edition
4.0
I would have actually given this a 4.5. I loved this book. I found the relationship between the two brothers, Frank and Jerry Lee, very touching. I am also a huge fan of "Of Mice and Men" and there were definitely some similarities between the relationship of the characters in both of these works.
fateleanor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
An unusual story about two brothers in America. A real page turner filled with emotion and dysfunctional life.
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
5.0
A review on the cover of this book calls Vlautin the love child of Raymond Carver & Flannery O'Connor, and I am going to have to fully agree. In terms of writing style, content, and a deep reflection on subject matter, that is just real, nitty gritty. There are moments of meditation on the choices we make, and the way that we van be stuck, as a result if things out if our control was just spot on. This book and it's characters Frank, and his brother Jerry Lee, also reminded me of S.E. Hinton's work, in the best sense. Beyond all of those comparisons, Vlautin has crafted a book that is uniquely it's own, marked by different hotel rooms and the stories we live and tell within them. A beautiful little book.
jamieastone's review against another edition
4.0
I wavered between a 3.5 (not that Goodreads allows that!) and a 4 on this book. What I enjoyed a lot were the stories that Frank tells - it reminded me why we like stories and what is redeeming about reading stories and telling stories. I also loved the setting mostly being in Reno (and a little bit in Elko) because I could picture exactly where everything was happening. What I didn't love was the depressing nature of the story... but I did appreciate the idea of hope that was woven into the (very depressing) story.
mattnorthaudio's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this novel upon a recommendation of a friend after listening to Vlautin's band Richmond Fontaine and whilst I have never been a big reader, this book alone has kick-started a passion I wish I'd found long ago.
The Motel Life is a beautifully, yet simply narrated tale about the ties and bonds that are formed in brotherhood, with a true and honest outlook on life. Written with a great attention to detail, the story follows two brothers on the run as we discover their bleak yet warming pasts, as well as their desires and morals through this heartbreaking tale. Tension is built slowly and it is constructed so magnificently that it escalated to an emotional climax which left me reflecting on my personal relationships with friends and family. The story is written with such brutal sincerity that I became directly attatched to the brothers and could heavily relate to both of their mindsets and actions.
I cannot sing this read enough praises and whilst this maybe one of the first books I've ever read in it's entirety, I already have another Vlautin novel on the way to me...
The Motel Life is a beautifully, yet simply narrated tale about the ties and bonds that are formed in brotherhood, with a true and honest outlook on life. Written with a great attention to detail, the story follows two brothers on the run as we discover their bleak yet warming pasts, as well as their desires and morals through this heartbreaking tale. Tension is built slowly and it is constructed so magnificently that it escalated to an emotional climax which left me reflecting on my personal relationships with friends and family. The story is written with such brutal sincerity that I became directly attatched to the brothers and could heavily relate to both of their mindsets and actions.
I cannot sing this read enough praises and whilst this maybe one of the first books I've ever read in it's entirety, I already have another Vlautin novel on the way to me...
heather_g's review against another edition
2.0
pretty sad little story. but quick read. Two brothers with terrible luck.
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
This is one sad book, but it has a real ring of authenticity. Reading the interviews with Vlautin you realize that these are places and people he knows and has known. Many of them are invisible to us, though we may pass by them every day. I am eager to read more Vlautin, and listen to some of his music.