martina47's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I really enjoyed the afterword.
jimmypat's review
2.0
Mildly amusing, but I started skimming about 2/3s through the book. Tedious and over long with annoying characters. Not as good as True Grit or Masters of Atlantis.
fihman's review
2.0
As well written as this is and highly original, it is so hard to deal with such unlikable characters.
thebeardedpoet's review
1.0
While it started out with promise as a comic misadventure, about halfway through a most annoying character was introduced. He proceeded to rabble on and on for pages and pages of dialogue that was so inane I couldn't take it anymore. I kept giving myself another few pages, another few paragraphs, but this guy wouldn't shut up. The more he talked the more annoying and stupid he got. For me the book was ruined by his presence.
ohgeemikep's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bhaines's review against another edition
The kind of people I know now don't have barbecues, Mama. They stand up alone at nights in small rooms and eat cold weenies.
Things
* short sentences with exclamation points!
* people having conversations where neither of them pay attention to what the other is saying
* characters repeatedly referenced who are only actually interacted with in a paragraph / a dream?
Really captures the wacko mindset
Things
* short sentences with exclamation points!
* people having conversations where neither of them pay attention to what the other is saying
* characters repeatedly referenced who are only actually interacted with in a paragraph / a dream?
Really captures the wacko mindset
kathds100's review against another edition
4.0
Love the way Charles Portis writes character - brilliant stuff.
mjanssen's review
5.0
This is one of the funniest books I've ever read — I was often laughing multiple times per page and wanting to write down lots of passages or repeat them to whoever was sitting nearby wondering why I was laughing like an idiot (that's pretty much my wife in these times of quarantine). It was my first encounter with Portis, inspired by his death and the fact that I hadn't read any of his books, and I see what the fuss is all about among his fans. I'll definitely be reading more. At times he seemed like a cross between Don DeLillo and Daniel M. Pinkwater.
One caveat: There's some occasional use of the N-word, which is not at all ideal, though it is mostly in dialogue if I recall correctly. I wouldn't say that Portis is a racist or that racist views are promoted, but I'm sure some other readers wouldn't really be down with that. I wish it weren't so, but it doesn't take away from what I did enjoy about the book.
One caveat: There's some occasional use of the N-word, which is not at all ideal, though it is mostly in dialogue if I recall correctly. I wouldn't say that Portis is a racist or that racist views are promoted, but I'm sure some other readers wouldn't really be down with that. I wish it weren't so, but it doesn't take away from what I did enjoy about the book.
tjmassaro's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bundy23's review against another edition
2.0
I've never been much of a fan of the lovable loser comedy trope (except when Vonnegut does it) and, in this case, I had to Google the book to see if it was actually supposed to be a comedy, that's how unfunny I found the whole thing.