lucymccarthy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rosanandez's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bethroho's review against another edition
4.0
So, so weird! But really good.
I almost gave up a third of the way through... Glad I hung on. It got much better. She's an excellent writer.
I almost gave up a third of the way through... Glad I hung on. It got much better. She's an excellent writer.
whitmc's review against another edition
5.0
Deliciously strange. Definitely the weirdest book I have ever read. And disturbing at some (OK many) parts, but not in a standard disturbing way, in an "UM, WHAT is happening? OK, this is happening...wait WHAT?" kind of way. But really good...although I am hesitant to pass it on because I feel like it requires a disclaimer along the lines of "I know this is weird, don't think this is a representation for what the inside of my head is like but sink in and appreciate how perfectly strange it is."
The main character, Cheryl, is awkward, alone and lives essentially inside of her head, yet functions OK in the world as what we probably all know of as "that odd coworker that lives alone." Until she doesn't live alone anymore, and her strangeness blossoms, develops, finds a home, runs screaming...it's all just interesting. And whatever July did, she executed it perfectly.
My favorite part of the book was the surprising and spot-on descriptions of life. My favorites:
"Was I like honey thinking it's a small bear, not realizing the bear is just the shape of its bottle?" and
“You know what? Forget what I just said. You’re already a part of this. You will eat, you will laugh at stupid things, you will stay up all night just to see what it feels like, you will fall painfully in love, you will have babies of your own, you will doubt and regret and yearn and keep a secret. You will get old and decrepit, and you will die, exhausted from all that living. That is when you get to die. Not now.”
I listened to it on audio, and it is read by Miranda July, which just adds to the whole perfect picture of this little strange world.
The main character, Cheryl, is awkward, alone and lives essentially inside of her head, yet functions OK in the world as what we probably all know of as "that odd coworker that lives alone." Until she doesn't live alone anymore, and her strangeness blossoms, develops, finds a home, runs screaming...it's all just interesting. And whatever July did, she executed it perfectly.
My favorite part of the book was the surprising and spot-on descriptions of life. My favorites:
"Was I like honey thinking it's a small bear, not realizing the bear is just the shape of its bottle?" and
“You know what? Forget what I just said. You’re already a part of this. You will eat, you will laugh at stupid things, you will stay up all night just to see what it feels like, you will fall painfully in love, you will have babies of your own, you will doubt and regret and yearn and keep a secret. You will get old and decrepit, and you will die, exhausted from all that living. That is when you get to die. Not now.”
I listened to it on audio, and it is read by Miranda July, which just adds to the whole perfect picture of this little strange world.
28thprototype's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cestelaine's review against another edition
4.0
One of the most odd yet addictive books I’ve read this year. I couldn’t put it down. I completely get the mixed reviews on this one, but I’m erring to the side that says Miranda July is a genius. Her writing demonstrates a deep understanding of the human psyche. I loved how she pushed the narrative in this.
jonwesleyhuff's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a fan of Miranda July's work, and I listened to this as an audiobook. I think both things work in favor of my complete enjoyment of this book. That's not to say I thought it was perfect. But I don't remember the last time I laughed out loud as much as I did while listening to this book. I'm sure some of it is July's delivery. But I think if you know her "voice" it'll translate well to the page.
What surprised me was how much I came to care about Cheryl and Clee. Cheryl is a frustrating protagonist at times due to her lack of taking action in her own life, but I think it's easy to understand where her character is coming from. I think that's the thing I liked best about this book. I liked that even when Sheryl's thoughts or perceptions of the world are at their strangest, there's this strong feeling of them being (sometimes painfully) relatable, too.
it's July's willingness to go into uncomfortable places that repulsed and intrigued me. There is a section of the book where Sheryl starts engaging in these fantasies that use some really repulsive language. It's intentionally that way. And though it wasn't my favorite part of the book, I admired what July did with it.
The book, ultimately, feels like a slow descent into reality. Cheryl's life is disrupted in ways that are both terrible and ultimately useful. Even though Cheryl could be frustratingly still in her own life, the fact is she never feels like a victim and she's not stupid. She does take action when it matters. She steps up, and I enjoyed the moments when you saw the steel and determination in her.
I will say, though, by the end the book lost me a little bit. It's really only at the very end, though. The most interesting core relationship is essentially resolved, and with that the rest of the book feels devoted mainly to tying up some loose threads that actually didn't feel all that loose to me. But I loved the VERY very ending, and overall this was such a pleasurable book-reading experience in so many ways.
What surprised me was how much I came to care about Cheryl and Clee. Cheryl is a frustrating protagonist at times due to her lack of taking action in her own life, but I think it's easy to understand where her character is coming from. I think that's the thing I liked best about this book. I liked that even when Sheryl's thoughts or perceptions of the world are at their strangest, there's this strong feeling of them being (sometimes painfully) relatable, too.
it's July's willingness to go into uncomfortable places that repulsed and intrigued me. There is a section of the book where Sheryl starts engaging in these fantasies that use some really repulsive language. It's intentionally that way. And though it wasn't my favorite part of the book, I admired what July did with it.
The book, ultimately, feels like a slow descent into reality. Cheryl's life is disrupted in ways that are both terrible and ultimately useful. Even though Cheryl could be frustratingly still in her own life, the fact is she never feels like a victim and she's not stupid. She does take action when it matters. She steps up, and I enjoyed the moments when you saw the steel and determination in her.
I will say, though, by the end the book lost me a little bit. It's really only at the very end, though. The most interesting core relationship is essentially resolved, and with that the rest of the book feels devoted mainly to tying up some loose threads that actually didn't feel all that loose to me. But I loved the VERY very ending, and overall this was such a pleasurable book-reading experience in so many ways.
domproc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0