Rating: 
Summary: Not Quite, But Not a Total Waste
Review: I checked out this book from the library because I enjoyed reading "Bright Lights, Big City" when it came out in the 80's. This book is a retread but that didn't seem to bother me too much. Some of the characters were amusing, though underdeveloped,and I did laugh out loud while reading the book. That makes it worth the 3 stars. If I had paid cash for the book, I think I would be more critical and cynical. The main story seems to be too brief and doesn't have any point--or at least any point I could easily decypher--of view about the 90's. Also, the ending seemed forced. The happy ending just doesn't ring true, but perhaps that is the difference between the 80's and 90's: modern day endings are forced and unconvincing. The short stories that were added at the end of the book weren't bad, just raised a whole host of questions. Why were they added? Was it because of a contractual obligation? Random work that the author wasn't able to sell so he decided to publish them anyway? Overall, this isn't a book that I would recommend to anyone but fans of the author. I still enjoy his writing style and wit, I just hope his next book will be much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Pure McInerney
Review: I devour anything McInerney writes and was not disappointed by this book at all. I'm not a big fan of short stories - why smoke a Robusto when you can have a Churchill? - but enjoyed his stories immensely.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Write "Model Behavior" Off Your List!
Review: I just had to go back and read the Amazon reviews on "Model Behavior: A Novel and 7 Stories" after having finished the book this weekend. Like all good stories, the novel sticks in your head and plays with your memories for days afterward. It's written in a lively, original style and I was lacking for nothing except, occasionally a dictionary! (What a vocabulary!) Out of the seven short stories following, I especially enjoyed "The Business," which, like all McInerney's best work, is smart, funny, and surprising. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Liked it, not McInerney's best
Review: I liked this book more than Story of My Life, but enjoyed Bright Lights, Ransom and Brightness Falls more. But even when not at his best, Jay still is well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Rocks
Review: I loved the non-linear, non-chapter, and multi-voiced format of this book. A conventional breakup told in an unconventional way, by an narrator trying to laugh and cry simultaneously. Extremely witty taboot.
Rating:
Summary: Model Behavior, model storytelling.
Review: I picked up McInerney's book on the remainders table at Barnes & Noble for a modest price. Little did I know I would be purchasing a rarity in current fiction: A very good and readable book. I literally had trouble putting it down and I never have that problem. 'Model' follows the exploits of Connor McKnight, an emotionally stunted alcoholic with an anorexic sister fixated on third-world suffering, a model girlfriend who may or may not have left him and a crappy job at a fashion mag he hates. Throw into the mix a brooding writer-best friend with a huge chip on his shoulder, a Chip with a huge ego, a stripper/wannabe-actress/train wreck love interest/unattainable goal named Pallas and many other, well conceived and executed characters and what you get is a very convincing voyeuristic view of a down-and-out man that is searching for something no one can seem to find, let alone the writer's protagonist. Did I fail to mention the ongoing Japanese cultural lessons throughout the work? Or the kidnapped and ransomed pet dog? What about the acidic, plastic she-demon boss? No? Well, you'll just have to buy the book and find out for yourself because Model Behavior is a real treat to read and no review could do the mix-mash of personalities and situations justice. McInerney is a very witty writer with a penchant for poking fun at the person you can expect him to be in real life, which makes the reading even more pleasurable. The book has a weird flow that at first is distracting, but works well once one gets used to the pacing. Please, do consider this book. It will have you laughing, commiserating and wishing it would have been a couple hundred pages longer.
Rating:
Summary: Model Behavior, model storytelling.
Review: I picked up McInerney's book on the remainders table at Barnes & Noble for a modest price. Little did I know I would be purchasing a rarity in current fiction: A very good and readable book. I literally had trouble putting it down and I never have that problem. 'Model' follows the exploits of Connor McKnight, an emotionally stunted alcoholic with an anorexic sister fixated on third-world suffering, a model girlfriend who may or may not have left him and a crappy job at a fashion mag he hates. Throw into the mix a brooding writer-best friend with a huge chip on his shoulder, a Chip with a huge ego, a stripper/wannabe-actress/train wreck love interest/unattainable goal named Pallas and many other, well conceived and executed characters and what you get is a very convincing voyeuristic view of a down-and-out man that is searching for something no one can seem to find, let alone the writer's protagonist. Did I fail to mention the ongoing Japanese cultural lessons throughout the work? Or the kidnapped and ransomed pet dog? What about the acidic, plastic she-demon boss? No? Well, you'll just have to buy the book and find out for yourself because Model Behavior is a real treat to read and no review could do the mix-mash of personalities and situations justice. McInerney is a very witty writer with a penchant for poking fun at the person you can expect him to be in real life, which makes the reading even more pleasurable. The book has a weird flow that at first is distracting, but works well once one gets used to the pacing. Please, do consider this book. It will have you laughing, commiserating and wishing it would have been a couple hundred pages longer.
Rating:
Summary: Model Behavior, model storytelling.
Review: I picked up McInerney's book on the remainders table at Barnes & Noble for a modest price. Little did I know I would be purchasing a rarity in current fiction: A very good and readable book. I literally had trouble putting it down and I never have that problem. 'Model' follows the exploits of Connor McKnight, an emotionally stunted alcoholic with an anorexic sister fixated on third-world suffering, a model girlfriend who may or may not have left him and a crappy job at a fashion mag he hates. Throw into the mix a brooding writer-best friend with a huge chip on his shoulder, a Chip with a huge ego, a stripper/wannabe-actress/train wreck love interest/unattainable goal named Pallas and many other, well conceived and executed characters and what you get is a very convincing voyeuristic view of a down-and-out man that is searching for something no one can seem to find, let alone the writer's protagonist. Did I fail to mention the ongoing Japanese cultural lessons throughout the work? Or the kidnapped and ransomed pet dog? What about the acidic, plastic she-demon boss? No? Well, you'll just have to buy the book and find out for yourself because Model Behavior is a real treat to read and no review could do the mix-mash of personalities and situations justice. McInerney is a very witty writer with a penchant for poking fun at the person you can expect him to be in real life, which makes the reading even more pleasurable. The book has a weird flow that at first is distracting, but works well once one gets used to the pacing. Please, do consider this book. It will have you laughing, commiserating and wishing it would have been a couple hundred pages longer.
Rating: 
Summary: Clever Storytelling!
Review: I picked up the book to read on a flight to New York. I didn't know anything about the author or the story, I just picked it based on it's cover. (Not this one, it has a plain white t-shirt on a hanger against a blue background) By the end of the flight I had finished it! I love this book! McInerney tells you a story of a writer named Connor McKnight, the relationships between his friends and his former girlfriend who leaves him by telling him she's going on a shoot. Yup! A relationship with a model. A writer and a model, how clique right! It's more than you think. While telling you his story you come to realize how sad and completely empty this man is. But only by choice. He is surrounded by friends who trust him and love him but he still pins for his ex-girlfriend Philomena. McInerney's writing is exceptionally charming because the way he describes events and emotions include every detail of the situations. A book by one of his writer friends Jeremy Green, 'Walled In', even tells their story, Jeremy and Connor's combined. Their story inside the narration. A delightful coincidence!
This book shows McInerney's sharp and quick witted observation of the society we live in. If he can do this, he can write on just about anything! Also recommended: THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointment
Review: I read the glowing comments on the cover. I read reviews saying what a witty and talented author McInerney is. I read ten pages of this peice of garbage. I found some evidence of his wit, but he seemed as disinterested in his characters as I became. I agree with the gentleman who thought the book was done to meet a deadline. It certainly couldn't have been any less compelling.
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