kilcannon's review
4.0
Another reviewer described it as a kind of farcical, suburban version of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and I think that's fairly accurate.
Berger is pithy as all hell, and while the suburban hell of "Neighbors" is a bit dated, it's still a rollicking tale of alienation and . . . redemption?
Berger is pithy as all hell, and while the suburban hell of "Neighbors" is a bit dated, it's still a rollicking tale of alienation and . . . redemption?
trevorjameszaple's review against another edition
5.0
At first it made me deeply uncomfortable. I would crawl through a couple of pages and have to stop, distraught at the completely uncouth behaviour of these new neighbours of Earl Keese. Then I hit a place where continuing to read became a compulsion, and finally a joy . There's a freedom that these grifters bring to Earl's life in the very short time that he knows them, and a revelation that they bring for him about himself and his family that he might not otherwise have seen. Darkly hilarious and absurd in a way that transcends reality.
postmodernblues's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"'Earl, if you want to cope with this, you'll just have to accept the truth.'
Keese became very haughty. 'No, I don't,' he said. 'I don't have to accept anything that doesn't suit me'." - Thomas Berger, Neighbors, page 141
I'll be the first to admit that I only decided to pick this up after watching its 1981 movie adaptation, which I loved. It absolutely baffles me how poorly the film did upon its release, because I think Aykroyd and Belushi did a phenomenal job bringing the acute horror of the story to life. Having now read the book, it's clear that the movie is a surprisingly faithful adaptation of the book. Very few events and details are left out of the film.
Berger's style lends itself incredibly well to the claustrophobia of the story. By the end, the reader feels as though they are driving slow circles around the very cul-de-sac of the novel's setting, becoming fleetingly acquainted with the small cast of characters just as they begin to morph and change. The characters are elusive and untrustworthy. The house itself is sinister. Everything feels wrong, and yet, by the end, it all feels as though it has fallen morbidly into place. The unsettling motifs, as well: dogs, cold food, prostitution. Each made me want to go back and try and piece together Berger's themes about suburban culture.
The only thing I disliked about this book was its structure. The sectioning-off of the story into chapters was jarring and diminished the downward-spiral feel of the book. Often, chapters would end on cliffhanger notes, which, in my mind, cheapened the experience a little. In my opinion, I think it would have been better without any chapter divisions.
Beyond that, though, I loved this book a great deal. The experience is incredibly unique and the novel and the movie complement each other in unexpected ways. Definitely worth a read, if you're up for it.
Keese became very haughty. 'No, I don't,' he said. 'I don't have to accept anything that doesn't suit me'." - Thomas Berger, Neighbors, page 141
I'll be the first to admit that I only decided to pick this up after watching its 1981 movie adaptation, which I loved. It absolutely baffles me how poorly the film did upon its release, because I think Aykroyd and Belushi did a phenomenal job bringing the acute horror of the story to life. Having now read the book, it's clear that the movie is a surprisingly faithful adaptation of the book. Very few events and details are left out of the film.
Berger's style lends itself incredibly well to the claustrophobia of the story. By the end, the reader feels as though they are driving slow circles around the very cul-de-sac of the novel's setting, becoming fleetingly acquainted with the small cast of characters just as they begin to morph and change. The characters are elusive and untrustworthy. The house itself is sinister. Everything feels wrong, and yet, by the end, it all feels as though it has fallen morbidly into place. The unsettling motifs, as well: dogs, cold food, prostitution. Each made me want to go back and try and piece together Berger's themes about suburban culture.
The only thing I disliked about this book was its structure. The sectioning-off of the story into chapters was jarring and diminished the downward-spiral feel of the book. Often, chapters would end on cliffhanger notes, which, in my mind, cheapened the experience a little. In my opinion, I think it would have been better without any chapter divisions.
Beyond that, though, I loved this book a great deal. The experience is incredibly unique and the novel and the movie complement each other in unexpected ways. Definitely worth a read, if you're up for it.
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