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librarylandlisa's review
3.0
I received this book through the Librarian ARC program with Libro.fm. I was taken by the cover and description and needed a palate cleanser after my last fantasy novel so Predator it was. It took me about an hour to really want to continue this book, but it was very interesting and entertaining. I highly recommend it if you are also a fan of predator. It is not what you think it is.
shaunie991's review
5.0
I devoured this book in just under 24 hrs, and that is incredibly uncommon for me. Monson’s Predator is truly what the title says it is: a memoir -in part- of the author’s life thus far, and his obsession with the movie, “Predator,” itself. I cannot imagine watching a movie over 140 times and still love it. I’d get sick and tired of it well before that number. However, this book was well written (and narrated!) and it kept my attention from page 1.
Besides the memoir part of the book, the author also attempts to break down masculinity and what it is to be a man. Although I am not of the male species, I thoroughly enjoyed how much info and research Monson put into the helicopters, guns, and actors in this movie. Also, did you know that “Predator” was originally a book authored by LGBT+ activist, Paul Monette? I had no idea, and LOVED that Monson included Monette multiple times in this book. Without Monette, there is no Predator. Full stop.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has seen “Predator” more than twice and enjoyed the film, anyone who likes Schwarzenegger, guns and ammo, and masculine subjects. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to someone who solely enjoys memoirs because the memoir part of this book is somewhat minor. Overall, great work by Ander Monson. Two thumbs up.
And that cover art though!!
(I received this audiobook ALC via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you!)
Besides the memoir part of the book, the author also attempts to break down masculinity and what it is to be a man. Although I am not of the male species, I thoroughly enjoyed how much info and research Monson put into the helicopters, guns, and actors in this movie. Also, did you know that “Predator” was originally a book authored by LGBT+ activist, Paul Monette? I had no idea, and LOVED that Monson included Monette multiple times in this book. Without Monette, there is no Predator. Full stop.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has seen “Predator” more than twice and enjoyed the film, anyone who likes Schwarzenegger, guns and ammo, and masculine subjects. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to someone who solely enjoys memoirs because the memoir part of this book is somewhat minor. Overall, great work by Ander Monson. Two thumbs up.
And that cover art though!!
(I received this audiobook ALC via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you!)
itcamefromthepage's review
fast-paced
5.0
This was really something unique and special.
If you are at all a fan of the Predator movies or even if you just enjoy a damn good memoir, this is a must read.
Intelligent dissection that will really stick with me for some time.
If you are at all a fan of the Predator movies or even if you just enjoy a damn good memoir, this is a must read.
Intelligent dissection that will really stick with me for some time.
radbear76's review
4.0
Fair warning, the use of "obsession" in the subtitle is not an exaggeration. Monson may very well need professional help as he really does look at everything through the lens of Predator. He uses his observations about the movie to transition to tangents and asides about his life. As we're approximately the same age and share this cultural touchstone I found this book entertaining and at times actually laughed aloud. Monson offers some great insights about masculinity in our culture today that really made me think. Which is a good thing since that's one of his areas of study.
I'm not the biggest fan of poetry so most of those parts of the book didn't do much for me. And his lament that "someone" needs to "do something" about gun violence and climate change are ineffectual whining and fall into the category of "No shit".
Overall this is a book worth investing time in.
I'm not the biggest fan of poetry so most of those parts of the book didn't do much for me. And his lament that "someone" needs to "do something" about gun violence and climate change are ineffectual whining and fall into the category of "No shit".
Overall this is a book worth investing time in.
howardtaftmd's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25