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sarahmcstripes's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
princesspearl's review
2.0
didn’t really thrill me. i don’t think tao lin is as profound as he thinks he is here. but there are some good moments here, i wouldn’t mind reading a more conventional novel by him i think
werdfert's review
3.0
my favorite tao lin books (besides poetry) in order are:
[b:Bed|276693|Bed|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320559772s/276693.jpg|268330]
[b:Shoplifting from American Apparel|6096464|Shoplifting from American Apparel|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344369497s/6096464.jpg|6273557]
(tied for first)
[b:Taipei|16041828|Taipei|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360620005s/16041828.jpg|21818442]
[b:Eeeee Eee Eeee|276694|Eeeee Eee Eeee|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347929961s/276694.jpg|268331]
[b:Richard Yates|7665458|Richard Yates|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1265082954s/7665458.jpg|10265945]
[b:Bed|276693|Bed|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320559772s/276693.jpg|268330]
[b:Shoplifting from American Apparel|6096464|Shoplifting from American Apparel|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344369497s/6096464.jpg|6273557]
(tied for first)
[b:Taipei|16041828|Taipei|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360620005s/16041828.jpg|21818442]
[b:Eeeee Eee Eeee|276694|Eeeee Eee Eeee|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347929961s/276694.jpg|268331]
[b:Richard Yates|7665458|Richard Yates|Tao Lin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1265082954s/7665458.jpg|10265945]
ibrow's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
laurenjade's review
1.0
I gave up reading this halfway through. Not a fan of pretentious "experimental" fiction. I do still love the cover design, though, which is probably the main reason why I picked it up in the first place.
yopmailtest's review
dark
lighthearted
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
When I just finished university this was one of my favourite books. 10 years later and the light, maybe even banal, alienation that makes up this book is tiresome. Lin's writing feels like a stream of consciousness that does not end up at a destination. It’s all a bit listless, the unrelenting sarcasm feels meaningless, and everything is vacant.
You should read this book at least once.
kennethwade's review
4.0
As one can expect from the title alone, this book is completely absurd, but I loved it for some reason. For one thing it made me laugh a lot, and there were also a couple moments in between the dolphins and trapdoors that felt like they were somehow bordering on profundity. I can’t recommend this book because it’s so strange and unique, but I personally really enjoyed it!
4 of 5
4 of 5