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smelendez's review
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lyerin's review
1.0
This was, quite possibly, the single worst book I've ever read. If I could give it -5 stars, I would. The level of "I'm so hipster impressed with my intelligence" navel-gazing bullshit was way more than I could stomach. I would not recommend this book even to people I hate.
perfectlymisaligned's review
1.0
I usually skip writing reviews of books I don't like. But, since this book was provided in exchange for a review...here goes.
To be blunt, I didn't like anything about this book. There were no likable characters. Not one. The plot was disjointed and pointless. The writing style was self-indulgent. It was just a mess.
The main character decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor he can't stand (whom he lovingly nicknames "Baby Molester") after she is killed by a stray bullet while she sleeps. There is really no reason as to why he decides to take this investigation on in the first place, other than possibly out of boredom.
Also, this book takes place in San Francisco, which happens to be one of my favorite places on earth. The main character's at times obvious disdain for both the city and it's citizens was both off-putting and whiny. I mean...if he hated it so much, why not leave? I got the impression that his main joy in life was pontificating on how superior he was to everyone else around him. Not exactly a selling point in my opinion for for any kind of enjoyable reading experience.
Bottom line: A front-runner for my least favorite book of 2012.
(This book was provided by Edelweiss/AboveTheTreeLine.com in exchange for an honest review)
My YT Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Bookgasmic
My blog: http://ravingbookaddict.blogspot.com/
To be blunt, I didn't like anything about this book. There were no likable characters. Not one. The plot was disjointed and pointless. The writing style was self-indulgent. It was just a mess.
The main character decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor he can't stand (whom he lovingly nicknames "Baby Molester") after she is killed by a stray bullet while she sleeps. There is really no reason as to why he decides to take this investigation on in the first place, other than possibly out of boredom.
Also, this book takes place in San Francisco, which happens to be one of my favorite places on earth. The main character's at times obvious disdain for both the city and it's citizens was both off-putting and whiny. I mean...if he hated it so much, why not leave? I got the impression that his main joy in life was pontificating on how superior he was to everyone else around him. Not exactly a selling point in my opinion for for any kind of enjoyable reading experience.
Bottom line: A front-runner for my least favorite book of 2012.
(This book was provided by Edelweiss/AboveTheTreeLine.com in exchange for an honest review)
My YT Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Bookgasmic
My blog: http://ravingbookaddict.blogspot.com/
mariahmknight's review
3.0
There were a few nice spots of this book, poetic/nostalgic ramblings that prove Kang is a decent writer. It's a bizarre mystery that reads easily, but the overall plot is extremely confusing. I have no clue who killed who or what even happened. Because of this annoying issue, I was almost unable to finish.
casualblasphemy's review
4.0
I enjoyed the hell out of this book, despite a few weaknesses, primarily an ending that provides almost no closure for any of the plot's major points. But I found Kang's style contagious and love that he took what is basically a Dashiell Hammet storyline and turned it into an über-modern tale laced with commentary on urban culture, gentrification, ethnic identity and love. I'm not from SF, but I've been there often enough for the novel's take on its gentrification to feel both familiar and deeply, cynically amusing. I spent a lot of time on the web chasing down references he made, which I imagine other readers might find annoying. For me they added another layer to the novel.
xinesinnott's review
1.0
The writing was good, the reflections on an immigrant experience thoughtful, and the sendup of Cafe Gratitude hilarious and spot-on. But the plot was completely unintelligible.
wordnerdy's review against another edition
3.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2012/06/2012-book-173.html
jfranco77's review against another edition
3.0
If you like books where the ending is clearly explained, this book is not for you. But parts of the journey were enjoyable.
There are some Klosterman-esque references to 90s hip-hop but they fit in with Philip's story of growing up and don't feel too forced. It also has a Klosterman-like feel where it is autobiographical but not at the same time.
The way the story switched POV between Philip and Sid helped the story flow nicely, and even when the plot was confusing, you still wanted to follow along to see where it was going. Unfortunately it never got there and the ending was just confusing.
At times this book reminded me of A Dirty Job (Christopher Moore) but that may have just been the way San Francisco was integral to the story. Ultimately Kang's book wasn't nearly as supernatural. Or as good.
There are some Klosterman-esque references to 90s hip-hop but they fit in with Philip's story of growing up and don't feel too forced. It also has a Klosterman-like feel where it is autobiographical but not at the same time.
The way the story switched POV between Philip and Sid helped the story flow nicely, and even when the plot was confusing, you still wanted to follow along to see where it was going. Unfortunately it never got there and the ending was just confusing.
At times this book reminded me of A Dirty Job (Christopher Moore) but that may have just been the way San Francisco was integral to the story. Ultimately Kang's book wasn't nearly as supernatural. Or as good.
lckeser7's review
2.0
I was at my local library looking for The Vegetarian by Han Kang. As is usually the case, they didn't have the book I wanted, but sitting near where The Vegetarian might have been was this. I've never read Jay Kang's work before, in fact had never heard of him, but I needed something to read and the title was intriguing.
I don't recall if I've ever read a book that so constantly surprised me with interesting, weird, witty, sarcastic, biting sentences while simultaneously leaving me bored out of my mind because the plot goes nowhere for most of its 250 pages (and the characters inspired no empathy or engagement).
What little plot there is doesn't really become clear until about page 220. By page 240 it is also clear that the author isn't going to attempt to reveal or even hint at the point of this.
I don't recall if I've ever read a book that so constantly surprised me with interesting, weird, witty, sarcastic, biting sentences while simultaneously leaving me bored out of my mind because the plot goes nowhere for most of its 250 pages (and the characters inspired no empathy or engagement).
What little plot there is doesn't really become clear until about page 220. By page 240 it is also clear that the author isn't going to attempt to reveal or even hint at the point of this.
mariahmknight's review against another edition
3.0
There were a few nice spots of this book, poetic/nostalgic ramblings that prove Kang is a decent writer. It's a bizarre mystery that reads easily, but the overall plot is extremely confusing. I have no clue who killed who or what even happened. Because of this annoying issue, I was almost unable to finish.