Reviews

The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth Mckenzie

mc__reads's review

Slow moving / not engaging 

mrs_bonaventure's review

3.0

I'm ambivalent about this book. The writing is immediate, beautiful, real and had me from the first page - but it's also darkly comic, so much so that it made me cringe a lot (maybe because it ran so very very true to mother/ daughter experience). It's a romp that races towards the conclusion the same way Austen did in Emma, but not as lightly, although with much compassion. I enjoyed it though.

kat2's review

emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is philosophical and hilarious, with a main character who talks to squirrels and is feeling wobbly about her upcoming wedding. With memorable and ultimately lovable characters, the novel asks why we love who we love, and how to deal with families of origin—as in “Little Miss Sunshine,” no one gets left behind. Can’t wait to read another novel by Mckenzie!

squirrelsohno's review

4.0

really picked up in the last third and I finished it in one sitting.

amchica's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

meganraison's review

3.0

I loved the beginning and the end but the middle needs some work. I can't wait to read her next book.

hein's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I laughed at the beginning. I cried at the end. It’s wonderful to have Veblen in my heart, where I hope she’ll stay for a long, long time.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Medical content, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Drug use, and Infidelity

rmarcin's review

3.0

This book was a bit strange. Veblen is named for economist Thorstein Veblen, who coined “conspicuous consumption”. So, it is a commentary on the haves and the have nots, but the real story is the love story between Veblen and Paul, a neuroscientist, and a squirrel! It also examines their relationship as well as the medical industry. Paul is studying traumatic brain injury, and is targeted by a wealthy family involved in healthcare.
Both Veblen and Paul have odd families and their relationship is strange. Sadly, I wasn't invested in any of the characters. A bit bizarre for me.

fishyem's review

dark emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I enjoyed the book but I was so angry at so many of the characters that I was thinking about that much more than I was thinking about the quality of the book. I have to go scream into a pillow to release this. AAAAAAAAA!!!!!

fiestada's review

3.0

Enjoyable, but strange.