garconniere's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. I really did. But overall, I found myself gritting my teeth, wanting to take the writer by the shoulders and shake her.
I think this probably would have made a really lovely blog to read as the process was ongoing, to follow it as it developped... but reading it from a distance, knowing that it fails in many ways, made me feel as though the signs were blaring from day one. She seems constantly obsessed with pointing out how cheap land is out West, but shows no desire in really understanding why, or at least helping her readers understand why.
The interviews with the people who have long called Bruno their home made it worthwhile. The amazing art, the candid interviews also helped. On page 153, Ryan says "I don't know of any venues that make any money without booze... are there venues that don't sell booze?" These are the kind of awkward overhangs that make you wonder if the people trying to run All Citizens really thought it through.
I think this probably would have made a really lovely blog to read as the process was ongoing, to follow it as it developped... but reading it from a distance, knowing that it fails in many ways, made me feel as though the signs were blaring from day one. She seems constantly obsessed with pointing out how cheap land is out West, but shows no desire in really understanding why, or at least helping her readers understand why.
The interviews with the people who have long called Bruno their home made it worthwhile. The amazing art, the candid interviews also helped. On page 153, Ryan says "I don't know of any venues that make any money without booze... are there venues that don't sell booze?" These are the kind of awkward overhangs that make you wonder if the people trying to run All Citizens really thought it through.
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