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kyracoty's review against another edition
hopeful
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
3.25
copascribe's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
It took me a bit to get into this story, but once I did, it was a good and witty read. A nice slice of life book to think about after you've read the last page, if you can plow through the stream of consciousness for the first quarter of the book.
Steve Martin narrates the audiobook, and it was very well produced.
It took me a bit to get into this story, but once I did, it was a good and witty read. A nice slice of life book to think about after you've read the last page, if you can plow through the stream of consciousness for the first quarter of the book.
Steve Martin narrates the audiobook, and it was very well produced.
mollybonovskyanderson's review against another edition
3.0
Charming and cute without being saccharine. The witty writing and attention to the absurd made me laugh out loud while reading this.
evangelinemurphy's review against another edition
4.0
Got chills at the end. Very pleasant read. Would probably actually rate it 3.5 stars but since that’s not an option I rounded up to 4
wintrovia's review against another edition
4.0
A heartwarming story about a man with an obsessive compulsive-type of condition, who starts to reengage with the world through a series of quirky encounters and relationships.
mattybax's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Though I've found Steve Martin funny in the past in movies and TV shows - I don't think this carries over to his writing.
The protagonist sums it best when he says 'my tricky little phrases, meant to sound compelling, actually have no meaning' - this is either Martin being extremely self aware or completely unaware of how surface level and bland some of his prose is.
The protagonists thoughts too resemble that of a 10 year old, positioning every woman in the novel as a sexual conquest describing women's 'cannonball breasts' and 'huge pair[s] of knockers' which might be trying to be funny in a dated way, but really just comes across as crass, unfunny and grotty, while adding nothing to the story.
The biggest thing from the plot *spoiler* which irked me was the notion that the protagonist invites Clarissa to live with him under the guise that he is selflessly helping her living arrangement, while only wanting to have a relationship with her - which when she doesn't reciprocate, kicks her out. Isn't the character meant to be developed from their childlike antics? Or is he developed in the sense that he finds someone who puts up with his bs? Other than that its an okay quick read, but nothing to be too impressed with.
The protagonist sums it best when he says 'my tricky little phrases, meant to sound compelling, actually have no meaning' - this is either Martin being extremely self aware or completely unaware of how surface level and bland some of his prose is.
The protagonists thoughts too resemble that of a 10 year old, positioning every woman in the novel as a sexual conquest describing women's 'cannonball breasts' and 'huge pair[s] of knockers' which might be trying to be funny in a dated way, but really just comes across as crass, unfunny and grotty, while adding nothing to the story.
The biggest thing from the plot *spoiler* which irked me was the notion that the protagonist invites Clarissa to live with him under the guise that he is selflessly helping her living arrangement, while only wanting to have a relationship with her - which when she doesn't reciprocate, kicks her out. Isn't the character meant to be developed from their childlike antics? Or is he developed in the sense that he finds someone who puts up with his bs? Other than that its an okay quick read, but nothing to be too impressed with.
big_stinky's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Wish the ending had been more drawn out and the beginning a bit condensed, the middle is great though
philippakmoore's review against another edition
4.0
A charming, funny and delightful read. Even though the main character has so many anxiety-driven eccentric behaviours, he actually is incredibly likeable. You find yourself empathising with him towards the end, and I loved that it had an unexpectedly happy ending. There was a brief period where my interest waned - just before the Mussolini episode, I think, where the magic squares are being explained? - which prevented me from giving the book the full five stars. But all in all it's a well written, interesting and sharp meditation on human behaviour and nature, with moments that will make you laugh out loud. Recommended.
somanybookstoread's review against another edition
3.0
reminded me of palhuniuk's choke -- an insane person trying to live a normal life. dry humor that i liked. good writing, my first steve martin novel (so hard to picture him sitting down to write...)