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meme011's review against another edition
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
holacandita's review against another edition
2.0
I feel like this book was written to shock with no other motive behind it. I'm not naive enough to think it's so far removed from reality, but I don't care to dwell too deeply on the sexualization of junior high children in the Internet Age. Another book that has made me glad I don't have children.
callies's review against another edition
4.0
Despite, or perhaps because of its sordid nature, this book is an extremely compelling look at modern relationships. I thought the use of perspective allowed the reader into the lives of the characters well, although there was also a distance that prevented a true engagement with them. There was a general lack of care about what happened to the characters, and more a "I can't look away from this car crash" vibe.
In some ways the abrupt ending mimics this, but was quite dissatisfying.
In some ways the abrupt ending mimics this, but was quite dissatisfying.
cmykim's review against another edition
2.0
Probably one of the most anticlimactic books I've ever read. I guess not my style.
jeffrossbooks's review against another edition
Tell don't show. It's amazing that any of Kultgen's books exist. he does everything you shouldn't, and yet, this was one of the first books in awhile that I have torn through.
sarah_mcmullan_nz's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. I found it funny, insightful and totally believable.
Looking forward to reading the rest of his back catalogue. (And seeing the film!)
Looking forward to reading the rest of his back catalogue. (And seeing the film!)
mirable's review against another edition
Tried this one because the trailer for the movie looks pretty freaking amazing. I got about a quarter of the way through and gave up - I disliked almost every character and had no interest in continuing to read about their incredibly realistic, depressing lives. Great opening sentence though!
sdavidson's review against another edition
2.0
I guess in theory this is a good read but it is incredibly depressing and difficult to read. It's about failed marriages and eighth graders dealing with depression, eating disorders, porn addiction, and losing their virginity. These kids are 13!! It just makes me think of what our society is coming to, so it was difficult for me to stomach. So many times I was tempted to put it down for good but only continued because I'm morally against not finishing a book.
madecel's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
I had high hopes for this book after finding it in great condition at an op shop and reading the first page. Jumping straight in with a pretty graphic description of a middle aged man's rush to get home for his daily wank? Sounds funny! I was keen to see what this book had in store.
Halfway through I decided I hated this book. People describe it as 'honest' but I truly do not think the stories of these characters are as realistic as people say they are. I think Kultgen went to the most extreme version of 'realistic' for reactions of shock and horror, not for relatability.
I like to be as objective as I can when reading books, but I absolutely could not look past the graphic deptictions of 13 year olds exploring their sexuality. It made me uncomfortable knowing a middle aged man was the person behind these pages. I almost put down the book for good halfway through due to this.
Alas, I pushed through, and I really wish I hadn't. So many things were built up towards the end of the book and I was curious to see how Kultgen would wrap things up. Except he didn't wrap anything up - everything came falling down for basically all the characters, and in the least satisyfing way possible. Characters went through traumatic and life changing events in the last chapters and it was all so rushed and poorly written that I couldn't feel any empathy towards any of them.
I understand that in essense this is a book about life and how it just goes on, so the sad and unhopeful ending was not unwarranted. However, the last 4-5 chapters are comparable to a 13 year old's edgy fanfiction. The distanced and matter-of-fact tone of the narrator (which made this book unbearable to read at times, by the way) was amplified in these final chapters, making them feel rushed. I think the sad end to the storylines could have definitely worked if Kultgen could've been bothered to put the effort in to include as much detail in them as he did in the numerous kiddie sex scenes.
I rarely absolutely hate books, but I have never hated reading a book as much as I hated reading Men, Women, and Children. It's safe to say I won't pick up another Chad Kultgen book any time soon.
Halfway through I decided I hated this book. People describe it as 'honest' but I truly do not think the stories of these characters are as realistic as people say they are. I think Kultgen went to the most extreme version of 'realistic' for reactions of shock and horror, not for relatability.
I like to be as objective as I can when reading books, but I absolutely could not look past the graphic deptictions of 13 year olds exploring their sexuality. It made me uncomfortable knowing a middle aged man was the person behind these pages. I almost put down the book for good halfway through due to this.
Alas, I pushed through, and I really wish I hadn't. So many things were built up towards the end of the book and I was curious to see how Kultgen would wrap things up. Except he didn't wrap anything up - everything came falling down for basically all the characters, and in the least satisyfing way possible. Characters went through traumatic and life changing events in the last chapters and it was all so rushed and poorly written that I couldn't feel any empathy towards any of them.
I understand that in essense this is a book about life and how it just goes on, so the sad and unhopeful ending was not unwarranted. However, the last 4-5 chapters are comparable to a 13 year old's edgy fanfiction. The distanced and matter-of-fact tone of the narrator (which made this book unbearable to read at times, by the way) was amplified in these final chapters, making them feel rushed. I think the sad end to the storylines could have definitely worked if Kultgen could've been bothered to put the effort in to include as much detail in them as he did in the numerous kiddie sex scenes.
I rarely absolutely hate books, but I have never hated reading a book as much as I hated reading Men, Women, and Children. It's safe to say I won't pick up another Chad Kultgen book any time soon.