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adnaram's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
foofers1622's review against another edition
4.0
If this book didn't scream "Wes Anderson Movie", I don't know what would. Luke's writing was wonderful as each chapter was a different character with their own style of telling. A great palate cleanser after some heavy reading. I will never look at antique malls the same.
veroperovero's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t understand why this book didn’t get more hype. As someone who has never fully grasped the world of thrifting, collecting, flea markets, and antiques, this was both hilarious and sort of educational. I listened to the audiobook and laughed out loud a handful of times. Sometimes the characters were a bit stereotypical, but I continued listening because it was also honest.
I knew, cherished, and loved a friend who thrived in this business and adored all his treasures.
Maybe that’s why I enjoyed this- because it reminded me of you, Tom. I miss you every day, but I’m happy when I find myself remembering you, triggered by the most trivial things.
I knew, cherished, and loved a friend who thrived in this business and adored all his treasures.
Maybe that’s why I enjoyed this- because it reminded me of you, Tom. I miss you every day, but I’m happy when I find myself remembering you, triggered by the most trivial things.
rocketiza's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it but it was held back by uneven characters - some actually felt 2 dimensional, sincere, and with purpose and some were just predictable stereotypes with "surprising" inner lives that felt a little lazy compared to the richness of the others.
camille57's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
beemini's review against another edition
4.0
“He liked everything but enjoyed nothing.”
A light comedy about the quirky characters who run booths in an antiques mall that's about to go under. Some of the characters have more depth than others, but their individual obsessions are the core of the story, rather than the plot. I cared about the characters (mostly) but it does have clichéd fatphobia, which I am so tired of.
A light comedy about the quirky characters who run booths in an antiques mall that's about to go under. Some of the characters have more depth than others, but their individual obsessions are the core of the story, rather than the plot. I cared about the characters (mostly) but it does have clichéd fatphobia, which I am so tired of.
sleightoffeet's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know how I feel about this book, I thought the plot was just ok, but I wasn't ready for the book to end. The characters (though more caricature-like as it is satire) really grew on me with their quirks, their lack of humanity and the bits and pieces that made me care what happened to them. I felt like I got to rip back the curtain and wander around the dark underbelly of the antique's mall world.
The Heart of America, an antique mall in Wichita, Kansas has fallen on hard times, and the owner is hoping that a spot on an antique's TV show will help. However, with a missing girl and crazy tenants each with their own issues and idiosyncrasies, that may just be impossible.
I started with a 3 star rating but as I'm writing this review, I changed it to 4. I feel like the people in this book will stay with me for a while, and I think I'm going to enjoy having this one simmer in my brain.
The Heart of America, an antique mall in Wichita, Kansas has fallen on hard times, and the owner is hoping that a spot on an antique's TV show will help. However, with a missing girl and crazy tenants each with their own issues and idiosyncrasies, that may just be impossible.
I started with a 3 star rating but as I'm writing this review, I changed it to 4. I feel like the people in this book will stay with me for a while, and I think I'm going to enjoy having this one simmer in my brain.
minty's review against another edition
2.0
This was fine--kept me entertained for an evening of listening, but also felt like it was trying too hard.
menniemenace's review against another edition
3.0
This is what Insatiable will look like if it were ever a novel. It's chaotic and super weird.
lhhrmn's review against another edition
3.0
Man, I wanted Goodreads to be wrong on this one! The premise seemed different enough and fun and a change of pace from my last two books dealing with religion, addiction, racial tension, etc and I hoped Heart of Junk would be just the reprieve I needed. Some of the characters are total oddballs and for the first half, I could really see this book being turned into a mini-series on TV - I could totally see the fun in designing the set of Heart of America and casting the idiosyncratic characters of Roland, Margaret, Delores, Jimmy, et al. Unfortunately, the pace started to wane for me. Seymour and Lee felt out of place with the other characters, particularly in their arc/troubles. They felt much more mature or at least self-aware and so when they weren't wrestling with their own existence, their chapters were weighed down by advanced vinyl/music references that were over my head. Ellie felt underdeveloped for as much "airtime" as she had and for such a short book, I found myself wanting it to get going already and it felt like amongst all the individual dramas, it never really took off into a fast-paced story or with a character I really wanted to root for. 3.5 stars overall.