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deanna_rigney's review against another edition
4.0
This book was surprising and fun despite the dark themes. It was incredibly witty and incisive. One of the things I appreciate about Craig Ferguson on his late show is how straightforward he is, making fun of everything and pointing out the ridiculous. He does the same in his writing, telling the story of four different men whose lives intersect in bizarre ways. It was a sly and irresistible read.
aliciasirois's review against another edition
4.0
This book had such a creative use of characters that were somehow connected in one way or another. The use of story telling was surprising, and I liked the way I felt, at times, offended but realized it was the truth. The truth hurts sometimes and this book definitely reminded me of that. A good, funny, entertaining, and educational read.
carbolicious's review against another edition
5.0
It's amazing to me that a book filled with the most horrible things could be so happy and uplifting. It's like Kurt Vonnegut, Dave Barry, Jean Paul Sartre, and David Sedaris all had a baby together. It also inspired my imaginary band name: Atomic Oatmeal. Rock on.
hidusty's review against another edition
1.0
This book was so disjointed and A.D.D. that I'm amazed I finished it. To say I disliked this book is an understatement. The best part was the period at the end of the last sentence. It may actually be the worst book I've ever read. Normally I'd feel terrible about a review like this but I just can't this time. It sounded like a promising story - It just wasn't.
allymarciewrites's review against another edition
5.0
A stunningly original and wacky odyssey that reads like a combination of Hunter S. Thompson and PG Wodehouse.
egumeny's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious and sometimes moving, often at the same time. Ferguson is definitely an author, not just an entertainer trying to be one.
jarrettbrown's review against another edition
3.0
While his biggest influence, vonagate, is there, this is where ferguson falls short. He tries and does well in other areas, writing, plot and character development, the fact that he tries to be like a legend and fails terribly.
digs's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable read. I don't personally see it as a very "deep" philosophical exploration. It looks like more of a personal reckoning on the author's part to settle his views on religion. This is why the work comes off as honest and would probably resonate well with anyone who grew up in a religious environment.
The multilinear story telling and flash-forwards are well used and add a sense of TV pizzazz to the story. The surreal little "miracles" also lend a bit of the author's absurd improvisational touch which reads like a Terry Pratchett novel.
The multilinear story telling and flash-forwards are well used and add a sense of TV pizzazz to the story. The surreal little "miracles" also lend a bit of the author's absurd improvisational touch which reads like a Terry Pratchett novel.
willkay's review against another edition
2.0
Between the River and the Bridge by Craig Ferguson
Am I glad I read this book? Yes.
Am I disappointed that I used up my time reading this book when I could have been reading something else? No.
Will I ever read this book again? No.
Will I recommend this book to anyone else? No.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes.
Did I love this book? No.
I can't quite put my finger on what is wrong with this book. It has the potential to be a great book. Craig Ferguson is a very funny man and his book contains some very funny moments. He is a wonderful raconteur and this book includes some wonderful chapters. He is, obviously, a well read man and the book demonstrates this quite often. He has thought a lot about religion and the nature of the universe and he manages to crowbar this knowledge into the book. And that is the probably the problem with this book. There are whole moments when, instead of reading the book worrying about the characters/plot/scenery, you end up thinking - ok, the author has obviously done his research on Carl Jung and knows way more about his theories than I do. There are moments when you become distracted because you spend more time trying to get the literary reference than following the point of the story.
For example: at one point, one of the main characters is accosted by an old man in a Parisian park. The old man mentions that the love of his life was a woman called Simone. Now, I know that I should be reading and concentrating on what the old man is saying but, at the back of my head, I am desperately trying to work out who the old man is. When, at the end of his appearance he tells the character that she is pregnant, rather than be mystified by his knowledge or happy at this information, I was more involved with the line: "please, name your child after me, Jean-Paul". My joy was in knowing that the old man was Sartre, rather than in the plot development. My disappointment was in not working out who h was before the final clue. Surely the point of a story shouldn't be a competition between the author and the reader as to who is the cleverer (more clever)?
It's a good book but it really says nothing new. It has the chance to look at the problems in religion - the differences between Catholics and Protestants in Scotland/the "born agains" in the USA -, to confront what the author sees as fundamental flaws but, instead, Mr. Ferguson seems content to drop into "comedy monologue" mode. He produces something that would be entertaining on television but I wouldn't want to pay for it.
And there is the punchline - I wouldn't want to pay for it. I suggest you don't either.