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capincus's review against another edition
2.0
It's no Catch-22. Similar wit, but at an even more boring pace.
eroticoffee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jcarlosa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
rlintott's review against another edition
2.0
Really an appalling step backwards in the Heller oeuvre. It is the stream-of-consciousness of Bob Slocum, a middle-aged man in the late 60s/early 70s who is having troubles with his family. And his job. And the confluence of the two. And his hair. And his penis. And we, the unlucky reader, get a lot of focus on that last one. If I am going to read a book full of the prurient thoughts of a middle-aged man, I'll read God Knows, Heller's gut-bustingly funny tale of King David. Bob Slocum however, is essentially a slightly modernized and immensely more sexed-up version of George F. Babbit.
In fact, Babbit and Something Happened have a lot in common. Both drag on too long, and both are very much "everyman" tales. Yet Lewis was able to pull it off much better than Heller did.
The book didn't get one star though, because there are times when you catch glimpses of Heller at his best. At times the prose has an almost lyrical quality, and some of the humor is vintage Heller.
That said, these bright moments are something akin to finding a penny in a pile of manure. Sure, it's shiny. And compared to the rest of the surroundings it's beautiful. But do you really want to be covered in crap for a penny?
In fact, Babbit and Something Happened have a lot in common. Both drag on too long, and both are very much "everyman" tales. Yet Lewis was able to pull it off much better than Heller did.
The book didn't get one star though, because there are times when you catch glimpses of Heller at his best. At times the prose has an almost lyrical quality, and some of the humor is vintage Heller.
That said, these bright moments are something akin to finding a penny in a pile of manure. Sure, it's shiny. And compared to the rest of the surroundings it's beautiful. But do you really want to be covered in crap for a penny?
josh_paul's review against another edition
4.0
Takes a long time to get through, depressing as hell, boring in places, yet somehow worth reading.
mcfade28's review against another edition
5.0
A truly excellent novel from the author of Catch 22. Written with the same satiric style, this novel follows the rather tedious life of Bob Slocum. He is an office worker, who loves office politics and dislikes three quarters of his immediate family members. Nothing much happens until the end of this 600 page novel, and we simply listen to Slocum's monologue about his life.
He's not meant to be likeable (although I did find his dry humour hilarious in parts). He is a rambling middle age man who is prone to rambling and repeating himself. There sexism is rife, and there is casual racism abounds. The book is partially a product of its time but most of the characters are just awful people.
He's not meant to be likeable (although I did find his dry humour hilarious in parts). He is a rambling middle age man who is prone to rambling and repeating himself. There sexism is rife, and there is casual racism abounds. The book is partially a product of its time but most of the characters are just awful people.