beepbeepbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perfect book. One of the few books that I think could've gone on another 300 pages. The voices of each character are so distinct so clear so funny. A masterpiece
alaramie's review against another edition
1.0
When in your first ten pages you paint a male teen victim of SA as scheming or a villain you've completely lost me
lifesaverscandyofficial's review against another edition
sort of like the exact opposite of everything I'm trying to do lol
mransford's review against another edition
3.0
I can’t recommend this to anyone but I wouldn’t stop someone from reading it
robforteath's review against another edition
5.0
Loudermilk is an American youth created entirely of privilege. He is rich and gorgeous, and well aware of the fact that the country will elevate him. We are all accustomed to mediocre young men of privilege failing upwards as their (non-existent) greatness is acclaimed. Loudermilk seems aware of this, but takes a different tack -- since people are so eager to believe in greatness from him, he will be the face of actual greatness. The story begins as Loudermilk has stumbled upon greatness that is in need of a face.
The tale of Loudermilk and Harry is told as the farce we expect, with suspicions and a nemesis, threatened revelations. Meanwhile, a troubled writer of prose, Clare, has a story arc that is a parallel of Harry's, both choosing to write as another before finding their own voice.
All of this is carried along by some brilliant and thought-provoking prose (and occasional poetry). And much snarky hilarity -- Loudermilk's actual poem itself is worth the price of admission.
The tale of Loudermilk and Harry is told as the farce we expect, with suspicions and a nemesis, threatened revelations. Meanwhile, a troubled writer of prose, Clare, has a story arc that is a parallel of Harry's, both choosing to write as another before finding their own voice.
All of this is carried along by some brilliant and thought-provoking prose (and occasional poetry). And much snarky hilarity -- Loudermilk's actual poem itself is worth the price of admission.
nickmiller's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting, mostly in the sense that this isn't a book I would have picked up myself. I'm not sure I can say I liked it, but it was a good change of pace from what I normally read. Something to refresh the palate. There were some fun characters and fun turns-of-phrase, but other than that, there's not a lot I personally took from the book.
jessiedmitch's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
madtnation's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sebastianromero7's review against another edition
4.0
A hilarious book, and one of the smartest books I've read in a while. It leaves you thinking... It's a very neurotic book, and very white—too—but I think these things help create the very particular "Mood" Ives is trying to evoke. This feels like an epic in 250 pages. There's a sense of timeliness, yes, but also a sense of Ives taking very old novelistic structures. The novel reads a bit like a Shakespearean farce. Although at times its world felt too insular, too quirky and sanitized, I enjoyed this novel immensely.