theonionboy's review against another edition
4.0
This book was exactly what it claimed to be; the thoughts of a person who got up early each morning to spend some time thinking alone in front of the fireplace. There is nothing profound here, but the end result was an enjoyable read.
dessa's review against another edition
3.0
"Baker has made an astonishing specialty of showing just how much is going on in life, and in our heads, when it seems that nothing is."
Accurate description from Walter Kirn, The New York Times Book Review
Accurate description from Walter Kirn, The New York Times Book Review
cmstrand's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
maguire_m03's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
kaitpw's review against another edition
1.0
At first I was intrigued, and then I was bored. Wouldn't recommend
harrisonnaft's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
afaithu's review against another edition
3.0
Possibly 3.5/5
There were parts of this book I really liked, and parts that felt boring, and parts I didn’t care for (though not many). It was interesting in that way that life is interesting, in the mundane moments. I think if the language had been a bit more flowery or the thoughts a bit more philosophical I could have enjoyed this more. As it was, it was alright.
There were parts of this book I really liked, and parts that felt boring, and parts I didn’t care for (though not many). It was interesting in that way that life is interesting, in the mundane moments. I think if the language had been a bit more flowery or the thoughts a bit more philosophical I could have enjoyed this more. As it was, it was alright.
velveteen_reads's review against another edition
5.0
A book without a plot! I love it. The only sense of a literary structure is that it starts with the protagonist opening a new box of matches and ends with him using the last match.
It's a series of reflections on life, written in a simple style with a very keen eye for the detail behind monotony.
It's a series of reflections on life, written in a simple style with a very keen eye for the detail behind monotony.
lovegreendog's review against another edition
2.0
A middle aged man’s thoughts on family, work, and doing everything in the dark.
thosul's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0