Do the Windows Open?

Rating:
Summary: Darn! I really, really wanted to like this book!
Review: I always look forward to a Julie Hecht story in the New Yorker magazine, and I really wanted to like -- no, love! -- "Do the Windows Open?" Unfortunately, there just isn't much substance to a book full of Ms. Hecht's musings (it's a definite "stretch" to classify what she comes up with as stories since there's no plot, no character development, no climaxes or denouement, nothing much at all as a matter of fact). She is certainly a clever writer, and she comes up with thoughts and images that are downright hilarious on occasion. I literally laughed out loud while reading "Do the Windows Open?" But it's pretty much a case of what you see is what you get -- there's no depth, just sort of a "stream of consciousness" skewed look at the world through the eyes of an upperclass, New York literary type. I fervently and sincerely hope Julie Hecht will put her estimable comic writing talent to better use in the future: She could be a master of the comic novel. For now, however, I think I'll stick to her occasional New Yorker story -- that's really quite enough.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Worst Books Ever
Review: I read a lot of books and this is really one of the worst I have ever read. There is no plot, no likeable characters and no point. I will admit, there were a rare few sentences that made me smile because I suppose they were mildly ammusing, but over all this book was a complete bore. I couldn't wait to finish it so I could start something worthwhile. I would only recommend this book if you would like to read about a completely confused and neurotic woman who needs some serouis mental help.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Appaling
Review: this book is SAD... not funny at all
from the very first sentence, i wanted to stop reading it, but unfortunately, it's like watching a car crash, or picking at a scab, you know its going to hurt, mentally and physically, but somehow, you just have to keep at it
the main character in this book is one of the saddest stereotypes of a new york woman i have ever ever read about
she makes the women from sex and the city look as smart as katherine hepburn
she has more mental problems than anyone i've ever met here, i mean, this woman can only be in the city if it's below 40degrees?
everyone she sees with blue eyes is an anti-semite??
she can only ride a freaking bus by being doped up on xanax???
and she feels guitly by assisting in the cooking of someone else's meat dinner.... jeez... who IS this person??
why would any intelligent human being strive to create a fictional character this loathesome?
i certainly pray that i never meet a real person like this, UGH! i think i would need a xanax just to deal with HER!
there's not a single plausabile character trait to her!
sad, just an incredibly sad book