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13geese's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What? What? What?
What the f is going on???
What the f is going on???
sloatsj's review against another edition
2.0
The desolate photos added to this sketch of a character, but overall the book left me cool. Aside from the presentation, the story didn't feel unique or particular. I felt sympathy for Lester, the broken man, but didn't have anything invested in the story. Perhaps it would have been more successful if the more general sections of text had taken a different approach... I don't know, maybe more philosophical, or using the cool approach of social science and statistics, or anecdotal e.g. with lists of hermit-like hideouts in the U.S. Interesting idea and great cover design, but didn't win me over.
gabesteller's review against another edition
5.0
Saw my dad reading this on vacation and was intrigued. its a super rich collaboration between a Minneapolis Writer Brad Zellar and Minneapolis Photographer Alec Soth, all about about the snowed-in, decrepit industrial wastelands on the edges of the twin cities an the surrounding area, and the odd types that inhabit them, but also like how when ur traveling through these people seem invisible and ephemeral, and the whole landscape can seem crass, but of sort magisterial or impressive at the same time. Doesn't gawk and is very humanistic while still being at a remove. Overall just conjures a really compelling vibe.
Anyway follows a drifter whom the author sort of knew who and who drifted through lot of these areas. Went to some really fascinating places, Good Rec dad!!
Anyway follows a drifter whom the author sort of knew who and who drifted through lot of these areas. Went to some really fascinating places, Good Rec dad!!
knkoch's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A very strange little book, half populated by photographs. It’s a bit more of an art exhibit than a story, where its obscurity is purposeful and lends to both the uncertainty of interpretation and genre defiance overall. I like that the question of fiction/nonfiction is left unanswered; it makes sense in a story of people hiding, people who either don’t want to be found or don’t know how.
I’m from Minnesota, and while I’ve passed by the town of Coates, I’ve seen no more of it than the name on a road sign. The vision this book presents of empty rural waste and isolation, though, especially in early spring when the snow is rotten and the streets are empty, is relatable, especially since it’s nearly that time of year here.
This book is very male-focused as a portrait of loneliness, which I found harder to relate to, and while I’m glad I read this, I definitely do have the ‘collaboration gene’ and I’m glad I live in a more populated area.
I’m from Minnesota, and while I’ve passed by the town of Coates, I’ve seen no more of it than the name on a road sign. The vision this book presents of empty rural waste and isolation, though, especially in early spring when the snow is rotten and the streets are empty, is relatable, especially since it’s nearly that time of year here.
This book is very male-focused as a portrait of loneliness, which I found harder to relate to, and while I’m glad I read this, I definitely do have the ‘collaboration gene’ and I’m glad I live in a more populated area.
elliefromtlou's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
A very strange little book. I think the title’s resemblance to House of Leaves may be a deliberate choice.
graventy's review against another edition
2.0
"The world is one sprawling racket of collaboration, and there are those who don't carry the collaboration gene."
Sometimes a book winds up on the hold shelf for me and I do not remember why.
It is an interesting, fast read, a story that conveys loneliness and sadness through words punctuated with frequent lonely and sad pictures. Like I said, interesting, but not something that I really enjoyed reading.
Sometimes a book winds up on the hold shelf for me and I do not remember why.
It is an interesting, fast read, a story that conveys loneliness and sadness through words punctuated with frequent lonely and sad pictures. Like I said, interesting, but not something that I really enjoyed reading.
judereadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
This book is short, strange, and slightly melancholy. It's almost just as much about the pictures as it is the words.
Definitely an experience, this is one of the oddest books I've ever read.
Definitely an experience, this is one of the oddest books I've ever read.
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