Goat: A Memoir

Rating:
Summary: the ties that bind...
Review: "Goat: A Memoir" is without a doubt the most incisive book I have read in the past...well, probably ever. It sticks with the reader long after the book is over. While a majority of the reviews here (and in other reviews) concern Land's descriptions of the alleged hazing incidents at Kappa Sigma and whether they occurred, the meaning of the book goes well beyond that and truly deals with the virtually impervious bond that siblings - more specifically, brothers - share. The hazing incidents are merely a facet of the book, and used to compare and contrast the bond between Land and his younger brother. Being Greek myself and the president of my fraternity while an undergraduate, I cringed at the pledge process Land describes, wondering whether such a travesty of the Greek system could have actually taken place.

However, the alleged events that occurred during Land's time as a Kappa Sigma pledge is not what sticks with the reader. The initial assault endured by Land, and his survival, are gut-wrenching and described with electricity. Land's non-traditional descriptions are universally understood, and brand themselves into the reader. As an example, his description of sharing a brief moment with a girl with whom he is enamored as being "like God" is stunning, and I am sure every man who has been in love knows exactly what he meant.

While the general public and reviewers have centered their reviews around the alleged hazing incidents (and in today's tabloid society, this should come as no surprise), this book is about two brothers at subtle odds - one riddled with guilt because he was unable to protect his flesh and blood, and the other riddled with jealousy and fear for a number of reasons - and the fact that they can not live without each other. It is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Stream of consciousness delivery makes for astounding read!
Review: This debut memoir from 28 year old Brad Land takes us into his very mind. So far, critics and readers alike have critiqued this book from the standpoint of its being a powerful retelling of actual events. The real magic is in the unbelievably realistic "dialogue," which is unquoted throughout, and provides readers with insight into Land's mind. In this sense, we do not only experience his relationship with his brother, Brett, but also Brad's instant assessment of anything Brett said. The split second decisions by Brad highlight the book, and relate to the rest of society: many mistakes people make are a direct result of their not thinking about the consequences. One might accuse Land of being naive, in that he let two strangers, dubbed The Smile and The Breath in the narration, guide him deep into the backroads of South Carolina, only to beat and carjack him. But, the fact is that, as Descartes once asserted, God endowed us with only a finite amount of common sense, which often belies our intellect. Brad's eloquence shows his intellect. His occasional lack of common sense is not refuted, as Land does not make himself out to be a flawless person; he even attests to drug use. Moreover, he trusts his frat brothers at Clemson University, who then haze him in a horrendous manner. Eventually, similar poor treatment drives a fellow pledge to death. Brad's resolve throughout his continual poor treatment shows how strong a man he truly is. For this, all readers finish Goat with the realization that our lives cannot be made so unbearable as to make us give up all hope.

Rating:
Summary: Read this book.
Review: This book is not just about defining masculinity and brotherhood, but more importantly, this book is about identity itself, which it explores in clear and honest prose. The style of the book is sharp, but not overly witty, in that the sharpness exposes us to instead of distances us from the eye of the narrator. Although some seem to find the style unconvincing or self-conscious, I found it a source of tension and direction, a balance of honesty and self-questioning. This author did not fall into his subject matter, nor did he rise to the point of self-importance. This book seemed to me, more than anything else, a book about honesty and vulnerability, both within the book itself and in his sharing his experiences with us as readers. Taken as I am with the poetic nature of this book, in it's emotional precision and complexity, I would like to put "Goat"Ein close proximity to a poem by Randall Jarrell. This is from "Field and Forest"E which, perhaps coincidentally, also includes a fox, a forest, and a bulldozer, though they appear elsewhere in the poem. I think this comparison is warranted, not only from the similar imagery, but also from the desire, bravery, and honesty the speaker evokes:
"...And after he has taken off the thoughts
It has taken him his life to learn,
He takes off, last of all, the world.
When you take off everything what's left? A wish,
A blind wish; and yet the wish isn't blind,
What the wish wants to see, it seesE
And what we see, as readers of "Goat"E is the humble and honest voice of a writer who shares his own experiences with us in a way which is both brave and wonderfully heart-breaking.

Rating:
Summary: tells the truth
Review: Kathy Wright,

I personally have read many memoirs, an avid non-fiction reader. I tend to read more of the humanistic side to the story than the fantasy-fictitious. Goat: A Memoir does just as I expect out of a book. It tells the truth. It is at times painful and oh so realistic like that of 'A Child Called It' or 'Nightmares Echo'. You won't find the humor in this book as you do 'Running With Scissors' or 'My Fractured Life' as this book is the dramatic look at physical and emotional abuse, and the scarring that takes hold and lives within the person for years like that of 'Nightmares Echo','A Child Called It' or Lucky:a Memoir'. You find that abuse is of all forms, and can see how the mind handles itself in trying to recover. This book, Goat: A Memoir...does everything you would expect a good novel to do and so much much more.

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes less is less
Review: Being from an area of the country where campus frat life isn't quite as revered as it is in the South or the Midwest, Goat was a view into a different world. Goat is a subjective work, and it's obvious that frat life is not the area Brad Land should have focused so much of his attention on while in school. But then, Brad Land probably shouldn't have done a lot of things.

Some have criticized this book for the spare, faux hipster style. I didn't have a problem with that as its very apparent that Land is a true writer and I will chalk up the moments that seem a bit too flowery and overwritten to his youth. What I criticize is that we don't know enough about Land. After reading this book, my only thought was, "This kid's a nut." I wish he could have maybe put his life into some bigger perspective. Just learning that he was severely beaten and then obsessively tried to join a frat wasn't enough for me to figure out who Land is. We only know this kid from his present, no real background, no past and it makes it hard to picture him as a fully-rounded person. Doesn't he have any other thoughts in his head? Also, why he would willingly put himself through such torture as fraternity hazing after his experience being kidnapped and beaten just smacks of masochism. Of course, that seems to be the central question that never really gets answered. (...)

I think Land's talents would best be suited to other types of prose, and to that end, I look forward to seeing his talents producing good fiction in the future.

Rating:
Summary: the ties that bind...
Review: "Goat: A Memoir" is without a doubt the most incisive book I have read in the past...well, probably ever. It sticks with the reader long after the book is over. While a majority of the reviews here (and in other reviews) concern Land's descriptions of the alleged hazing incidents at Kappa Sigma and whether they occurred, the meaning of the book goes well beyond that and truly deals with the virtually impervious bond that siblings - more specifically, brothers - share. The hazing incidents are merely a facet of the book, and used to compare and contrast the bond between Land and his younger brother. Being Greek myself and the president of my fraternity while an undergraduate, I cringed at the pledge process Land describes, wondering whether such a travesty of the Greek system could have actually taken place.

However, the alleged events that occurred during Land's time as a Kappa Sigma pledge is not what sticks with the reader. The initial assault endured by Land, and his survival, are gut-wrenching and described with electricity. Land's non-traditional descriptions are universally understood, and brand themselves into the reader. As an example, his description of sharing a brief moment with a girl with whom he is enamored as being "like God" is stunning, and I am sure every man who has been in love knows exactly what he meant.

While the general public and reviewers have centered their reviews around the alleged hazing incidents (and in today's tabloid society, this should come as no surprise), this book is about two brothers at subtle odds - one riddled with guilt because he was unable to protect his flesh and blood, and the other riddled with jealousy and fear for a number of reasons - and the fact that they can not live without each other. It is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Story of a Life
Review: A brilliant but sorrowful book, 'Goat' is a book well worth reading. It is a tad heavy on the gloom, but what can you do when you're telling a true story and your life has been less than pleasant? Overall a very good book that I recommend. It holds it's own with 'My Fractured Life' and 'Nightmares Echo'.

Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: This is an excellent book. True it is tough to read because it deals with some harsh subject matter (abuse in many forms), however the author gives a gritty and captivating voice to the trauma that makes the reading experience rewarding and educational. A powerful story of abuse and survival that will remind readers of "Nightmares Echo", "My Fractured Life", and "Sickened" and deserves to be held in the same regard of excellence.

Rating:
Summary: GET READY FOR THE PITY-FEST!
Review: This book was highly touted by a trade publication, that shall remain nameless because I don't want to embarass them, as an excellent read.
It turned to be a "why me" book about a guy who get's mugged and then tries to fit in with his brother in a frat house. He goes through ritual hazing and then wonders why he's screwed up.
The book offers no real insight into Lands mind and why he so insecure. True, he is deeply troubled, he is on anti-depressants, but must we know the exact contents under his bed and in his pocket?
I was begging for some kind of resolution...."I learned this about myself....", but it never came. It ambles on and on and on. All I kept thinking is "Boo-Hoo, you got mugged and hazed in the same lifetime....and????"
The narrative is a compete snoozfest with exchanges that amount to;
I said "Hey", Will says "hey", Brett says "yeah", I said "ok", Chance says "Cool", I say "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz".
Skip it and wait for the MOW.

Rating:
Summary: Lords of discipline lite
Review: First off, I was baffled by a review that stated that Brad was "betrayed" by his brother? How? It seemed to me that things would have been worse had he tried to interfere in his older brother's initation/hazing. I would have done the same thing. Not that I condone hazing. Still, after reading Pat Conroy's novels, I expected a lot worse. I have no idea what the author omitted, but most of the stuff seemed tame in comparison. (Not that I have ever been hazed.)

I agree with the reviewer who stated that the narrator reveals too little about himself. I kept hoping to read about him making a connection that did not center around the frat - when the girl smiled at him in class, I cheered, thinking that maybe there would be one bright spot in an otherwise bleak book.

Not to psychologize too much, but it occurred to me that perhaps the author undertook the hazing to prove to himself (if subconsciously) that he could take that kind of trauma without falling apart - as he had during the kidnapping.

Finally, as someone who was depressed throughout most of college, I can only hope the author finally received the therapy he needed to recover from his trauma.