whogivesabook's review against another edition
3.0
If any book represents an escape from any form of isolation. It is this one. It's for people in prison. If they read it there, they won't fear solitary confinement. There's a universe in all of us and this universe is spilt out onto the page.
Criticism might be that it is entirely too long. If it was split up into four books, it might have held my attention for longer sittings. Some of the references are a little too geographically focused. If you're not familiar with American culture and products/brands, you might not enjoy the sections that focus on those things.
I think I'm old enough, just, to enjoy the jokes and references. Anyone younger than me... Less than thirty... Will probably not enjoy this book. This book is for the people who like Monty Python and Douglas Adams.
I think I'll give this a 3/5 because, although I liked it. I didn't love it. And I don't think that it stands as an entirely successful surreal work. If you want better, read Douglas Adams, Richard Brautigan or Leonora Carrington.
Criticism might be that it is entirely too long. If it was split up into four books, it might have held my attention for longer sittings. Some of the references are a little too geographically focused. If you're not familiar with American culture and products/brands, you might not enjoy the sections that focus on those things.
I think I'm old enough, just, to enjoy the jokes and references. Anyone younger than me... Less than thirty... Will probably not enjoy this book. This book is for the people who like Monty Python and Douglas Adams.
I think I'll give this a 3/5 because, although I liked it. I didn't love it. And I don't think that it stands as an entirely successful surreal work. If you want better, read Douglas Adams, Richard Brautigan or Leonora Carrington.
jvar's review against another edition
5.0
I read this for the first time when it was published in 1980. This is one of a handful of books that I go back and read on a regular basis, at least every 2 to 3 years. It never fails to give me that same sense of awe and amazement as it did the first time. It was my ticket to realizing that I didn't have to see the world like everyone else did.
sarahweiss's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
allapaz's review against another edition
2.75
i read this for the first time in college and i definitely enjoyed it more then
better than half bad, probs one of the tops of its specific era of humor but if you only half enjoy the genre you’re only gonna have enjoy this. some nuggets of great in there, if you can get past the absurdism and weird smut.
better than half bad, probs one of the tops of its specific era of humor but if you only half enjoy the genre you’re only gonna have enjoy this. some nuggets of great in there, if you can get past the absurdism and weird smut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Blood, Miscarriage, and Sexual content
alienporcupine's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
jquigley1993's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
nagarage's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
elipkin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kawelch13's review against another edition
4.0
Holy moly it took me forever to actually read this book. I started it in 2019, put it down and tried to pick it up a few times. Over the summer in 2019 I went to see Yoke Lore play in Oakland and they have a song inspired by this book centered around the question asked in the book “how do you make love stay?” It’s a song that only exists at shows, and I loved it. And wanted to read the book.
I started reading it that winter, on the way to a radiation test trip with my boss and a human who was becoming one of my best friends. And then I never picked it back up! Partially because I didn’t read much during that time. I was stressed and busy and wrapped up in exploring sf. And then by the time I wasn’t doing that, I was in a pretty dark space. And I just felt bad at everything so the book became a bit of a reminder of what I hadn’t been able to get through. That’s not the books fault really. But it’s my experience with the book still.
I’m finally on the up and up from that dark space (even tho I said that in may and it wasn’t quite true) and I picked it back up. I read it on commutes and another plane ride and while at times it was a really wonky book, I’m happy I read it and i did really enjoy it.
This is by far the least helpful review for other people but, this was a read that for me was less about the plot and more about picking it up again and finishing the story.
I started reading it that winter, on the way to a radiation test trip with my boss and a human who was becoming one of my best friends. And then I never picked it back up! Partially because I didn’t read much during that time. I was stressed and busy and wrapped up in exploring sf. And then by the time I wasn’t doing that, I was in a pretty dark space. And I just felt bad at everything so the book became a bit of a reminder of what I hadn’t been able to get through. That’s not the books fault really. But it’s my experience with the book still.
I’m finally on the up and up from that dark space (even tho I said that in may and it wasn’t quite true) and I picked it back up. I read it on commutes and another plane ride and while at times it was a really wonky book, I’m happy I read it and i did really enjoy it.
This is by far the least helpful review for other people but, this was a read that for me was less about the plot and more about picking it up again and finishing the story.
liamknox13's review against another edition
1.0
I honestly can’t say enough bad things about this book — seems I’m on a losing streak in terms of picking reading material. It’s overwrought, far too “clever” for its own good, contrived, outright creepy, romantic in the most hollow, saccharine, AMERICAN sense of the word. Avoid at all costs, even if you’re a Robbins fan.