The Easy Way Out

Rating:
Summary: This book is not the object of MY affection....
Review: After ripping through The Object of My Affection in the space of two days, I eagerly purchased Stephen McCauley's other books. I was a bit disappointed in The Easy Way Out, as the characters aren't really likeable, and their situations are somewhat self-inflicted. As in real life, it's a bit difficult to feel sympathy for people who bring on their own problems, and reading about it certainly doesn't pass MY time well. Perhaps I shouldn't be so negative... I mean, I didn't MIND the book, but I loved his first book so much, that I expected the same. I was wrong.

Rating:
Summary: This book is not the object of MY affection....
Review: After ripping through The Object of My Affection in the space of two days, I eagerly purchased Stephen McCauley's other books. I was a bit disappointed in The Easy Way Out, as the characters aren't really likeable, and their situations are somewhat self-inflicted. As in real life, it's a bit difficult to feel sympathy for people who bring on their own problems, and reading about it certainly doesn't pass MY time well. Perhaps I shouldn't be so negative... I mean, I didn't MIND the book, but I loved his first book so much, that I expected the same. I was wrong.

Rating:
Summary: A male Helen Fielding
Review: I have a confession to make... i'm addictd to Stephen McCauley! I have all his books! Although I prefer "The Object of my Affection" I still recomend this. It has the same level of wit and character as the other books in McCauley's collection. This makes it easy to become emerged into the world of Patrick O'Neil(and what a world it is!) I assure you that this book will keep you entertained with every turn of the page. This is a must if you have a sense of humour! Helen Fielding look out! (Look out for McCauley's new "True Enough")

Rating:
Summary: A male Helen Fielding
Review: I have a confession to make... i'm addictd to Stephen McCauley! I have all his books! Although I prefer "The Object of my Affection" I still recomend this. It has the same level of wit and character as the other books in McCauley's collection. This makes it easy to become emerged into the world of Patrick O'Neil(and what a world it is!) I assure you that this book will keep you entertained with every turn of the page. This is a must if you have a sense of humour! Helen Fielding look out! (Look out for McCauley's new "True Enough")

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing from McCauley
Review: I loved Object of my Affection to the point that I would come home and expect to find the characters in my apartment. I laughed so much during The Man of the House that the staff of the Sun Princess theartened to throw me overboard. But this clinker was really disappointing. I didn't find Patrick sympathetic at all. A feeble attempt compared to his other two novel-comic masterpieces.

Rating:
Summary: I laughed out loud, then it made me think.
Review: I read this novel for my own pleasure. I did not look for structure or any literary values, as I am a fairly critical reader. I just laughed. Your recognize a book as a long lost friend or a friend you wished you had and it was like this for me reading the first line from "The Easy Way Out." Patrick became a friend as I followed the stress, the indecisions, the ups and downs of his life. His problems became my own. I had to also decide whether he should stay with Arthur and I had similar vicissitudes when I asked myself if I would have stayed in this relationship. This book was thoroughly enjoyable and it felt like I took a vacation somewhere too and gathered up my life. It's fun to just read and I am looking forward to Stephen's other novels. Have you seen "The Object of My Affection?" Great screenplay!

Rating:
Summary: A good follow up to "Object of my Affection"
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed "No Easy Way Out"; having lived in the areas described, the book had an additional resonance. I did not find it meandering or a let down; if not quite as great as "Object..." it still does not dissapoint.

Rating:
Summary: comic parody of 20th century commitment phobia
Review: I was sorry this book ended. There was alot personally identifiable for me. The parents and Sharon were a hoot. Great dialogue for these characters. It reminded me of Anne Tyler accented with the darkness of Richard Ford. Anyone with neurotic family issues should give it a try.

Rating:
Summary: Hysterical, I couldn't put it down!!!
Review: One of the funniest books, I have ever stumbled upon. I keep picking it up again and again to re-read my favorite parts. McCauley's descriptions of situations are delivered with a wry and sardonic wit, that leaves you laughing and sad at the same time. A true gem, I cannot even lend it out, because I am unable to part with it.

Rating:
Summary: hilarious, personable, and a fairly easy read.
Review: Stephen McCauley is absolutely hysterical. He has effectively captured and written what people think but don't articulate. The characters are life-like. I missed them by the time I was finished. I've read all of Stephen's books and 'The Easy Way Out' is my favorite- at least until his fourth book is released.