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Summary: A book to be shared with your closest girlfriends
Review: Pam Houston's book fell into my hands quite accidentally one day while on summer vacation. Don't ask me what I did for the rest of that day because all I remember is lying in the hammock and devouring Houston's book. It is a seamless stream of stories of strong women and the men in their lives, their friendships, romances, their choices -- and it all speaks to a certain young woman who is going through the same struggles and searches, too. This book made its way into the hands of all my closest friends and even now, five years later, it is a book we all reread and enjoy all over again. I eagerly await what comes next from Pam Houston.
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Summary: Published as fiction, but does anyone believe THAT?
Review: Pam Houston's fictional characters somehow to always seem like the great lady herself, eccentric, strong, athletic, daring, and tough. And then there are the men. They have it tough in Houston's world, and no wonder. Sometimes even she agrees that she probably treats her dogs better than she does her men.
However, while her women are gutsy, they are still vulnerable, still learning, still making mistakes, and the biggest seems to be falling for inaccessible men. As her character says in the title story of this collection, "I've always had a thing for cowboys...but they're hard to find these days, even in the West."
Full of gender-heavy wisecracking, Cowboys are My Weakness will have you laughing, groaning, and crying. Enjoy yourself.
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Summary: Women with LOOWWW self esteem
Review: The book had some decent stories in it. I love her style -- very direct, often sarcastic -- but very blunt in her description of feelings. It's worth reading. But the stories do get redundant as they depict one dysfunktional relationship with all types of eccentric, lying, and unfaithful men. The low self-esteem of the women is pathetic and you just want to jump in and ask why she subjects herself to so much pain and abuse by being with such screwed up men. Hey, maybe that means it's a good book...it does draw you into the story pretty well. It gets 3 stars because of its redundancy -- the women in the stories are essentially all the same low self-esteemed, pain-loving and adventurous character. Although the setting is different with each story, the story is essentially the same in each one. Like (I'm making this line up) "I know this man treat me [badly] and cheats on me, but that's o.k., I shouldn't leave him just because of that." But her direct delivery and descriptions like, "He was smart and selfish and lied by omision. I was addicted to him like cough syrup, and I didn't respect his mind," were refreshing to read. Although her characters are messed up, they're at least honest about their messed-up-ness.
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Summary: Pam Houston Rules!!!! She's way cooler than Sue Grafton!!!
Review: The way Ms. Houston includes FilmQuest in the plot of all the stories is amazing. FilmQuest isn't even mentioned in Sue Grafton's latest tale "P is for Pinched". I have an autographed copy that I bought at Borders, it's one of my most prized possessions!!!
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Summary: This book gets under your skin.
Review: This book chronicles the life of a woman in love with the outdoors, adventure, and men. I read this book for the first time 9 years ago, and I still return to it to reread some of my favorite short stories. In some ways, it haunts me. Oh how I wish she would write her opus. I know she has it in her...this book foretells it.
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Summary: Where have all the writers gone?
Review: This book is witty, wry, and shallow. When will we, as readers, get beyond this and demand more? Houston demonstrates little attention to language, zero poetry, and few, if any, insights beyond the mundane. I have to agree with the reviewer who said, "Houston's style is simplistic and over-hyped. Houston has lead an interesting life; she can tell us about things from a women's perspective that we rarely hear. It doesn't make her a good writer." This book demonstrates how good marketing dictates public acceptance and taste. Kudos to the marketing team. Now, please, can we focus on good writing?
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Summary: She's no female Hemingway.
Review: This book was OK. Just OK. I didn't think the writing stood up to the glowing reviews that I read. On the other hand, it's a quick read. The plots of the stories were very predictable. After you read one, you had really read all of them. I used to live in West, and I've known a few cowboys in my time. Her portrayal of both was a little trite. These guys weren't cowboys, they were just garden variety losers.
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Summary: The best short stories I have ever read
Review: This collection of stories will hit home with anyone who has ever been in a relationship. It will especially hit home with smart, ambitious, tough and thinking women who nevertheless find themselves seeking the company of silent and emotionally unavailable men. These stories offer such a refreshingly concise crystallization of all the emotions that are felt in the various stages of a relationship. And the humor is fanastic, I laughed out loud many times. I love this book so much, I buy all the copies in the bookstore as soon as they come in. I just keep them around to use as gifts. A great read by a great author. I truly hope that she will publish more soon.
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Summary: Pam's voice is familiar, like the one of your best friend
Review: This is a wonderful set of short stories. What I loved most about them is that the woman seems so familiar with her seemingly incompatible qualities of both strength and vulnerability. Thank you, Pam, for writing these beautiful stories.
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Summary: A must read for all single women
Review: This is an excellent book for any woman who finds themself as single, intelligent, thoughtful, and in search of a character who is the same. Easy to read, "Cowboys are my weakness" is funny and thought-provoking for women who have seen it all from men!
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