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pddkny's review
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
laurenmcd8's review
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
sagecannon's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lottie1803's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
fbroom's review
5.0
Set in 1996 where the main character (unnamed, let’s call him X) is attending his first semester at Columbia’s MFA program. He is from a well-off family who could support him. He lives in his great aunt’s rent controlled, two bedroom apartment by himself. He spent 4 years at NYU first and then 2 years working at some glossy men's magazine maintaining a low key and lonely life.
At the MFA workshop, he reads from his novel and ends up with some harsh feedback from his colleagues and teacher. Only one classmate defends him. Billy is from a small town in Illinois. He is different. He is a Republican who goes to Church. He’s never been on a plane before moving to New York. He went to community college before Columbia. He hasn’t seen things or read big things. The two classmates start talking. Even though they’re completely different, they do share the fact that both of their parents are divorced and both of them were raised mainly by their mothers.
When X stumbles on Billy’s work. He is shocked by how talented Billy is. They start reviewing each other’s work even though X doesn’t really end up giving back much while Billy almost re-writes everything X gives him. Billy changes everything. Suddenly X realizes how lonely he is and how much he’s been missing. Their friendship starts blossoming. X offers Billy the spare bedroom and Billy moves in.
They start doing things together including meeting up random girls at bars. X invites him to thanksgiving. Billy invites him back to Christmas in Illinois. Before that, Billy gets an invitation to a cousin’s wedding in Pennsylvania and X tags a long. The trip changes things. Even though X never shares his true thoughts or feelings throughout the book, we feel for him. He is disconnected with himself and remains the same way.
I loved this book. I felt for both characters. X is lonely and living in this strange bubble. He never opens up. He remains the same disconnected guy. It is sad.
At the MFA workshop, he reads from his novel and ends up with some harsh feedback from his colleagues and teacher. Only one classmate defends him. Billy is from a small town in Illinois. He is different. He is a Republican who goes to Church. He’s never been on a plane before moving to New York. He went to community college before Columbia. He hasn’t seen things or read big things. The two classmates start talking. Even though they’re completely different, they do share the fact that both of their parents are divorced and both of them were raised mainly by their mothers.
When X stumbles on Billy’s work. He is shocked by how talented Billy is. They start reviewing each other’s work even though X doesn’t really end up giving back much while Billy almost re-writes everything X gives him. Billy changes everything. Suddenly X realizes how lonely he is and how much he’s been missing. Their friendship starts blossoming. X offers Billy the spare bedroom and Billy moves in.
They start doing things together including meeting up random girls at bars. X invites him to thanksgiving. Billy invites him back to Christmas in Illinois. Before that, Billy gets an invitation to a cousin’s wedding in Pennsylvania and X tags a long. The trip changes things. Even though X never shares his true thoughts or feelings throughout the book, we feel for him. He is disconnected with himself and remains the same way.
I loved this book. I felt for both characters. X is lonely and living in this strange bubble. He never opens up. He remains the same disconnected guy. It is sad.
ohennui's review against another edition
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use and Sexual content
robbo13's review
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
scalytor's review
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
ljutavidra's review
5.0
4,5
Odlično. Nešto mi je još malo falilo da zaokružim ocenu, ali vrlo mi se dopalo. Mali, nenametljiv roman sa originalnom premisom i realnim likovima. Ništa grandiozno, ništa fensi, ali onakav "slice of life" kakav volim da pročitam.
Tedi Vejn, imaš moju pažnju.
Odlično. Nešto mi je još malo falilo da zaokružim ocenu, ali vrlo mi se dopalo. Mali, nenametljiv roman sa originalnom premisom i realnim likovima. Ništa grandiozno, ništa fensi, ali onakav "slice of life" kakav volim da pročitam.
Tedi Vejn, imaš moju pažnju.