Rating:  Summary: No Tom Wolfe Review: Interesting but the comparisons are too facile. Wolfe always had a point. In buying this book, I got carried away with all the hype. How can almost 700 pages be such worthless drivel. The only reason why I'm even giving it the two stars is because I'm in the diplomatic corps and the pop culture references are rather smart. Wait for the paperback, but for a better read, try Hometown or The Girls Guide to Fishing. Shorter and full of plot.
Rating:  Summary: unputdownable Review: totally entertaining. like some lofty lineman who climbs the burg of the westside and stores so much information in his head, or a mason of the soul, andersen is a veritable iron mountain of a writer. his angle is most appealing.
Rating:  Summary: Too smug, a regrettable exhibition of poor taste Review: Forget this book, wait for Anderson's next one, or better yet, read one of the fine recent releases like "East of the Mountains" or "The Triumph and the Glory".
Rating:  Summary: intelligent, hilarious, brilliant Review: For starters, this book is consistently laugh-out-loud funny. A potential reader need only glance at any ten pages to figure out if s/he will appreciate the humor. The characters are realistic, intelligent, and naturally flawed. Their observations on the ironies and embedded ironies of modern life are priceless. Indeed, the book sketches a view of life in this particular moment in time that is inspired and slightly frightening. It traces the convergence of politics, entertainment, and consumerism in ways that a boring sociology tract couldn't dare, and with the insight that so precious few commentators these days understand. If this book is all about the white upper class elite, it is also a criticism of that world, which includes the "trendy elite" that would buy a book like this. Perhaps that's why the response is so mixed and almost unnecessarily ferocious(?) It's a good thought-provoking read, a brilliant desciption of what the world is becoming even as I write this.
Rating:  Summary: A Terrible, Terrible Book Review: It's really awful. Trust me. Worse -- it's BORING! Satire should be funny, cutting and inventive -- not read like a bad public access comedy skit. Mr. Kurt is not a very good writer, and should not be publishing fiction of this low quality. It has many of the hallmarks of workshop writing: the clumsy sentences, the characters cribbed from sit-coms, the overdone attempts at humor. The author is like a very young writer who needs more practice, reading time, and a good editor. It's quite surprising, really, that it got published.
Rating:  Summary: Real Timely Review: I have a hunch that this book hits way too close to home for most involved in today's mainstream media. No wonder reviews have been mixed at best. Turn on the TV after reading this excellent book and you will quickly see we are at the turn of the century as Kurt Andersen has described it.
Rating:  Summary: I tip my hat to this brilliant book Review: Absolutely extraordinary, witty, clever writing. I'm sure the less than overwhelming reviews in magazines and newspapers have more to do with reviewers turning green with envy that a fellow journalist could produce a book this excellent. Run and buy TURN OF THE CENTURY...you won't regret it.
Rating:  Summary: Soulless Review: Having just read today's NY Times, I can tell Martin Arnold why this book has not sold: you cannot fool the people. To even 'hip Type A' New Yorkers, Turn of the Century is banal, boring, and soulless. Where is the language of a novel? The poetry? This is so far from Bonfire it's ridiculous. There's nothing to care about it in here and the reading public senses it. Much ado about nothing. Random House should get the money back.
Rating:  Summary: Very smartass outlook... Review: ...& very much in love with itself but as so many have already pointed out: All Context, No Substance. Interesting that Andersen was editor of Spy & New York Mag, 2 of the most sophomoric smug periodicals around.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent and intelligent Review: Captures the vernacular and spirit of business, love and life in the inernet/media culture of places like Silicon Alley. The novel is powerful and engaging with amazing dialogue. Very funny, too.
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