Rating: 
Summary: Newest book on Required Reading list for my course
Review: I teach a course in contemporary culture. Heretofore, the reading list was loaded with books on the rise of young entrepreneurs and techies, but when it came to individuals' more revelatory accounts of themselves, I had to rely on books from the feminine side. Until now. "A Heartbreaking Work. . ." gives us an intimate view of a contemporary male in his 20's, and along with a novel which was placed on my reading list earlier this year ("Love Songs of the Tone-Deaf" by Asher Brauner), rounds out my reading list on the masculine side.
Rating: 
Summary: Lots of self-knowledge
Review: Largely tragic but at times hugely funny, this book is well worth the price. The author shows us how he perceives himself, and it isn't always positive. I thought his assessment of his own work was spot-on, too--when he focuses on family, his writing is compelling, but when the emphasis shifts to him and his friends, the book wanders (as did my attention). Overall, though, I really enjoyed reading this, and am selfishly grateful that I haven't had to face the challenges he and Toph had.
Rating: 
Summary: Save yourself the trouble
Review: I rarely resort to skimming books, but after about 150 pages, I had to. Eggers let us know pretty much everything that happened to him since his parents died, which did not gel into a captivating story. He is hyper-aware that he is writing a book about himself going through life knowing that everything he does will be documented in his book. It's all too much. The book did not offer anything new, interesting, or insightful. The only reason I kept reading the book is that Eggers talks about a friend of mine in the book. Even so, I don't think it was worth the time.
Rating: 
Summary: The Genius Staggers, Then Falls
Review: This is a truly heartbreaking work, despite its self-conscious unself-consciousness. Eggers is a truly gifted storyteller, and he does try (and often suceeds) to make his heartbreak both real and funny and sad. Unfortunately, he is just a little too pleased with himself and comes across as being rather immature and smug. The genuine pathos of his story is captivating, and his honesty about what he and his family "deserve" for their suffering is spot on. The last half of the book falls flat, he loses his narrative and gets a lot too Zen about beach frisbee and the like, losing focus and clarity. This is a courageous book, however, and it nearly works on all the levels Eggers is trying to plumb. But its true hero is Toph. I want to read his book. That would be staggering.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
Review: For someone that doesn't read much modern stuff nowadays, this book was a reason to put aside Jane Austen for a month and start looking at the fresh new writing out there.The book is incredibly witty, irreverant and touching. I've told every single person I know to read the book because it's one of the most amazing books I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Reading The Book Vs. 'Reading' The Writer
Review: Many of the .. reviews ... are second guessing the writer'smotivation or complaining about the hype surrounding the book, thelatter of which is not in the writer's control and the former, out of the purview of a discussion of the book itself. Some ... seem to feel angry at the book's success, which given the long shot of any book being successful, seems pretty mean spirited to me, and this book is not run of the mill or formulaic. It's risky and sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, but is worth reading for the surprises in the writing and in the story. I didn't find it funny as much as poignant (having had more than my share of embarrassing, self-aggrandizing, and arrogant thoughts and actions)and/or made me wince in self-recognition. I was given a world and people who were annoying, endearing, interesting. I liked having the freedom to skip the parts I didn't like and not 'lose' the continuity, since there wasn't any, and there wasn't a promise of there being any. Looking forward to the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: FOund another book to get me over finishing this book!
Review: I love this book, sad when it was over, so I was thrilled to find SARAH by JT LeRoy. Had a similar type of heartbreak without pity, but beautiful! Great adventure! Fun to read one great book and go right on to another! It just got a great review in the NY TImes! Way great!
Rating:
Summary: worthwhile read
Review: ...[I] was heistant to pick up a book by an author i waspretty much unfamiliar with--the last couple books i bought like thati couldnt get into, never finished them; a waste of money--but i did and it was worth it. Humor, sorrow, annoyance, awe, its all in here. Eggers has a real fluidness to his writing style, theres an urgency to convey his emotion, a buildup in his sentences, a real passion that makes this story move along very fast. I didn't want to put it down, i wanted to know what was going on next but when i got to the end i was sad because it was the end. i wanted immediately to read it again.
Rating:
Summary: Not interesting
Review: This book is full of random and selfish thoughts that sounded like the author had the mentality of a 15 year-old without a firm grip on life's responsibilities. Although the introduction was humerous and straight forward, the first 2/3 of the book was not. I could not get past the MTV interview, so I hope for the sake of other readers, that it got better.
Rating:
Summary: I Loved This Book : Do Yourself a Favor and Read it
Review: This is the most unusual and readable book I've read in a long time. Dave Eggers tells his sad tale in a way that makes you laugh, cry and really understand the thinking of a Generation X guy when he's up against life and all it throws his way. I couldn't put it down and came away admiring his approach to life, his sense of responsibility, his neuroses and his charming writing style.
|
