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nathansnook's review
funny
lighthearted
3.25
The perfect slacker summer book.
Lin proves you don't need much to create an impressionable story. With Clowes-like characters, indie sleaze is truly getting its revival and now, I miss summer jobs, the odd long hours and the waiting for a shift to end to do and make something of my life. I miss the suburbs, the "taco-seasoning" sunsets and the contemplative walks past dusk.
Summer for me always felt like one big gap between reality and dreams, and in its punkish nature, Lin's book reeks of teen spirit and pure nostalgia.
I want to be a kid again and I don't know how. The old playlists aren't working and neither are the old text messages I'm rereading. Not even looking back at my old tumblr is doing any good.
But here, Lin creates the experience of youth, its complications, and the trying ways we itch into the adult world without any real ease. Growing up is a painful experience, and it's not to be forgotten that these adults that surround us are, in parts, growing up with us.
Lin proves you don't need much to create an impressionable story. With Clowes-like characters, indie sleaze is truly getting its revival and now, I miss summer jobs, the odd long hours and the waiting for a shift to end to do and make something of my life. I miss the suburbs, the "taco-seasoning" sunsets and the contemplative walks past dusk.
Summer for me always felt like one big gap between reality and dreams, and in its punkish nature, Lin's book reeks of teen spirit and pure nostalgia.
I want to be a kid again and I don't know how. The old playlists aren't working and neither are the old text messages I'm rereading. Not even looking back at my old tumblr is doing any good.
But here, Lin creates the experience of youth, its complications, and the trying ways we itch into the adult world without any real ease. Growing up is a painful experience, and it's not to be forgotten that these adults that surround us are, in parts, growing up with us.
arilaurel's review
5.0
I was first introduced to Ed Lin's work while I was getting my undergrad degree. A number of years later I got to say hi to him as he tabled at the AWP conference, and it turned out he'd brought a ouija board for us to mess around with. So I was excited to pick up this book, even though it came all the way from freaking Singapore. But I'm glad I got it. This was legitimately entertaining, and a solid story. I don't know anything about living in New Jersey, but the story had me feeling very grounded and present with the narrator, Sean. I felt the heat and smelled the sea salt and funnel cake on the pier. The plot was thrilling, and had nice twists and turns without giving me whiplash or feeling too clever. There was lots of funny dialogue said by serious characters, and although there's plenty of serious stuff to wring your hands over, Motherfuckerland often had me reading sentences twice over and laughing because I just enjoyed them so much. I recommend reading this with someone because it was fun to read aloud.
allseeinghelga's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kfrench1008's review
5.0
Excellent characters and local color. Reminiscent of his earlier book Waylaid. A great read.
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