findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
3.0
The characters were believable and fleshed out, but man, this was quite possibly the most depressing book I've ever read. It just dripped melancholy from every page.
fjasmineaddams's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely my favorite of Lindsay Hunter’s books so far. The extremes of addiction are in here, but as someone who comes from a family of addicts I found it even more moving to recognize all the ways that addiction gets normalized and therefore minimized in families and in American culture more broadly.
l3nduhhh's review against another edition
Fave quotes:
“He remembered that he’d forgotten. Ha! That should be in his tombstone.”
“ ‘He’s a good man.’ She whispered. ‘But s shyster, too. People aren’t always all one thing.’ “
“It’s hard to love someone you don’t like. It takes everything out of you.”
“But everything in moderation. Including beating yourself up.”
“He remembered that he’d forgotten. Ha! That should be in his tombstone.”
“ ‘He’s a good man.’ She whispered. ‘But s shyster, too. People aren’t always all one thing.’ “
“It’s hard to love someone you don’t like. It takes everything out of you.”
“But everything in moderation. Including beating yourself up.”
mlbobb12's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sunforsavannah's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lifeinpoetry's review against another edition
5.0
I loathed Greg with the sort of intensity that can only come from having a severely dysfunctional father. Greg introduced GJ, his son, to alcohol at a very young age, can barely stand being around him, is addicted to multiple things, is blinded by moments of rage towards his son and his wife (& ex-wife), and shows no insight into what a truly garbage parent/partner he is. Greg goes on a half-hearted trip to find his drug addicted son after his son disappears from his life which leads to ultimately pointless flailing and self-destructiveness. The only good thing he did in the book was .
I appreciated the writing but reading about bad parent(s) from the perspective of a bad parent who has the insight of a puddle is both depressing and enraging.
Spoiler
ultimately reject GJ after a night of GJ using which led to GJ freeing himself from the millstone that is GregI appreciated the writing but reading about bad parent(s) from the perspective of a bad parent who has the insight of a puddle is both depressing and enraging.
saraklem's review against another edition
3.0
I'll say 3.5 stars. This book is essentially plotless, but Lindsay Hunter can really write a three-dimensional character. It was just relentlessly sad; at least, it was to me. A lot of other reviewers seemed annoyed by Greg, but he reminds me of so many people I know, and this was a peek into their private lives that felt too real. But then again, that's good writing, so I'm torn on how to feel about it.
amymilas's review against another edition
5.0
Don't read this book as a comedy! Im not sure who decided to add details about "laughs" and being "hilarious" to the descriptions I've seen, but I would say it's definitely not that. Maybe there were a few wry smiles?
Anyway, Lindsay Hunter is the kind of writer whose descriptions frequently made me stop and say, "Yes! That's what that's like. I never thought of it before, but that's it exactly" for descriptions of what your throats feels like when you're about to cry or what certain places smell like. I'll leave those out to avoid spoilers, but I really loved the writing in this book. Hunter just drops you right into the action with only a little exposition, and yet her characters are so rich that I felt connected to them and was sad when this short book ended. I'll be looking for other books by her for sure.
Anyway, Lindsay Hunter is the kind of writer whose descriptions frequently made me stop and say, "Yes! That's what that's like. I never thought of it before, but that's it exactly" for descriptions of what your throats feels like when you're about to cry or what certain places smell like. I'll leave those out to avoid spoilers, but I really loved the writing in this book. Hunter just drops you right into the action with only a little exposition, and yet her characters are so rich that I felt connected to them and was sad when this short book ended. I'll be looking for other books by her for sure.
veeboothee's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this book with expectations that it wasn't going to be funny (as some reviews said it would) & was going to be depressing with no fairy tale happy ending - & that's exactly what happened. It's a quick read yet the story moves along at a good pace with brilliant style of writing from the author.
The book follows the story & point of view of Greg, a middle-age obese man who is embarking on a road trip to Florida in search of his son GJ, on & off again relapsed drug addict who's been missing for three weeks. The book's main issue focuses on addiction & not just one type. All forms of addiction were explored at one point in the novel: drugs, alcohol, sex, lust, love, food. I love how the author portrays the characters & how each are dealing with addiction, whether they were battling it themselves or watching their loved ones suffering. I also liked seeing Greg's point of view & how it went back & forth to the past memories & the present day, showing bits & pieces of how things unfolded for him, GJ, Marie & even Deb. Each seems to be battling their own demons, particularly Greg.
I couldn't help but love to hate & feel sad for the characters. Greg was an awful father towards GJ & a bitter husband towards Marie, both which were affected deeply from his childhood relationship with his mother. It was sad to see how his mother's hatred & jealous towards him led him down a downward path to other aspects of his life, from this marriage to the way he fathered GJ. He never wanted to become his mother & tried so hard to treat GJ differently but ultimately he did the same, neglecting GJ & leaving him/Marie for Deb. Then his guilt would take over & numerous times he would try to make up for his lack of involvement in GJ's life, either with money or lavish trips. And the only way Greg knew how to cope with his life was food, which ultimately takes over his life.
Even though Greg tried to make me feel hatred towards Marie, I felt mostly sad for her. She married too young & then stayed in the marriage for the sake of their child until she couldn't take it anymore. She ultimately took care of GJ on her own & got to see firsthand the battles GJ was facing through addiction - no wonder why she ended up alone & ready to move forward with her life. Deb, Greg's wife, was my least favorite character. I hated that she stayed with Greg when you can tell they were just together to stay together as if it was a routine that they both couldn't let go of. It did seem like karma for Greg that seemed like Deb & the pastor had a connection.
All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t want that picture perfect family or fairy-tale ending. It is depressing, dysfunctional & at times, you’ll want to punch a few characters in the face or shake them repeatedly saying “Why would you do/say that?!?!” but it’s real & it presents real world problems that people go through now. Sometimes we need to face the realities of the world & this novel does just that.
The book follows the story & point of view of Greg, a middle-age obese man who is embarking on a road trip to Florida in search of his son GJ, on & off again relapsed drug addict who's been missing for three weeks. The book's main issue focuses on addiction & not just one type. All forms of addiction were explored at one point in the novel: drugs, alcohol, sex, lust, love, food. I love how the author portrays the characters & how each are dealing with addiction, whether they were battling it themselves or watching their loved ones suffering. I also liked seeing Greg's point of view & how it went back & forth to the past memories & the present day, showing bits & pieces of how things unfolded for him, GJ, Marie & even Deb. Each seems to be battling their own demons, particularly Greg.
I couldn't help but love to hate & feel sad for the characters. Greg was an awful father towards GJ & a bitter husband towards Marie, both which were affected deeply from his childhood relationship with his mother. It was sad to see how his mother's hatred & jealous towards him led him down a downward path to other aspects of his life, from this marriage to the way he fathered GJ. He never wanted to become his mother & tried so hard to treat GJ differently but ultimately he did the same, neglecting GJ & leaving him/Marie for Deb. Then his guilt would take over & numerous times he would try to make up for his lack of involvement in GJ's life, either with money or lavish trips. And the only way Greg knew how to cope with his life was food, which ultimately takes over his life.
Even though Greg tried to make me feel hatred towards Marie, I felt mostly sad for her. She married too young & then stayed in the marriage for the sake of their child until she couldn't take it anymore. She ultimately took care of GJ on her own & got to see firsthand the battles GJ was facing through addiction - no wonder why she ended up alone & ready to move forward with her life. Deb, Greg's wife, was my least favorite character. I hated that she stayed with Greg when you can tell they were just together to stay together as if it was a routine that they both couldn't let go of. It did seem like karma for Greg that seemed like Deb & the pastor had a connection.
All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t want that picture perfect family or fairy-tale ending. It is depressing, dysfunctional & at times, you’ll want to punch a few characters in the face or shake them repeatedly saying “Why would you do/say that?!?!” but it’s real & it presents real world problems that people go through now. Sometimes we need to face the realities of the world & this novel does just that.
best_lemon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0