Right! I think my expectations were what messed it up for me. It may be time for a re-read. I'm open-minded!
What Are You Reading?
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I never even heard it advertised as a humorous book, so maybe I would've felt that same way -- where are all these laughs? Because, honestly, there weren't any that I can think of right off hand. This odd ball kid, and the dysfunction of a family--it was more of a a sad character study.Right! I think my expectations were what messed it up for me. It may be time for a re-read. I'm open-minded!
Having read a few things about Karen Russell and reviews of Swamplandia!, I never would have thought her writing was anything near Hiaasen's style. Also, just because an author does a blurb for a book, it doesn't mean the book is anything like what that author (the blurb writer) writes.I had a really hard time with this book. I went in with great expectations because it had been highly praised by Carl Hiaasen who writes some seriously funny Florida-based stories and I was hoping for something like his stuff. 1) It wasn't funny and 2) I never really cared for any of the characters and that is very rare for me. So yeah, I'll MEH it with you!To each his own!
I have caught Vampires in the Lemon Grove and St. Lucie's Home for Girls... in different Best of American Short Stories- loved them both!
Sam Joyce Have you read When You Reach Me ? I think you'd love it.
carrie's younger brother I love those Best of American... collections. I have the Short Stories every year since 1993 - I discover so many writers that I want to read more of that way. I also like the Best of American Non-Required Reading. There's so much randomness in those. I come away knowing about so many different things. Recently I read my first essay by David Sedaris in the 2003 issue. OMG - I was laughing out loud at him. And I mostly enjoy Louise Erdrich - I really liked The Master Butcher's Singing Club.
I loved it, too. I wasn't expecting it to be funny, so maybe that wasn't a hindrance to me like it was for doyoulove.
I had a really hard time with this book. I went in with great expectations because it had been highly praised by Carl Hiaasen who writes some seriously funny Florida-based stories and I was hoping for something like his stuff. 1) It wasn't funny and 2) I never really cared for any of the characters and that is very rare for me. So yeah, I'll MEH it with you!
I've read most of Carl Hiaasen's mysteries and loved them. They're fun! They also made me want to visit Florida just to stop at all the roadside tourist traps lol. I wonder if Florida really has all those roadside attractions?
Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. So to clarify a few things, it was a review by Hiaasen, not a blurb, and I don't think he directly said it was a funny book, but I went in with that expectation. My fault!
Maybe I need to read one of her other books first, get a fresh viewpoint, then try Swamplandia again from there. But for the record, I love listening to everyone's opinions!
Maybe I need to read one of her other books first, get a fresh viewpoint, then try Swamplandia again from there. But for the record, I love listening to everyone's opinions!
....when I downloaded it, I was expecting a more mysterious feel than anything remotely funny-enjoyed the read, but it wasn't anything that would make me run to the nearest bookstore to buy the latest from her catalog....
Arcadevere
Gentle Lady From Brady Hartsfield Defense Squad
I have caught Vampires in the Lemon Grove and St. Lucie's Home for Girls... in different Best of American Short Stories- loved them both!
Sam Joyce Have you read When You Reach Me ? I think you'd love it.
carrie's younger brother I love those Best of American... collections. I have the Short Stories every year since 1993 - I discover so many writers that I want to read more of that way. I also like the Best of American Non-Required Reading. There's so much randomness in those. I come away knowing about so many different things. Recently I read my first essay by David Sedaris in the 2003 issue. OMG - I was laughing out loud at him. And I mostly enjoy Louise Erdrich - I really liked The Master Butcher's Singing Club.
Haven't read it but thanks for suggestion, i will look-up and find this in the bookstore ASAP
Neesy
#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
Wow - I am having a flashback now - I am sure this book was mentioned once before on this board (maybe one or two years ago?)I have caught Vampires in the Lemon Grove and St. Lucie's Home for Girls... in different Best of American Short Stories- loved them both!
Sam Joyce Have you read When You Reach Me ? I think you'd love it.
carrie's younger brother I love those Best of American... collections. I have the Short Stories every year since 1993 - I discover so many writers that I want to read more of that way. I also like the Best of American Non-Required Reading. There's so much randomness in those. I come away knowing about so many different things. Recently I read my first essay by David Sedaris in the 2003 issue. OMG - I was laughing out loud at him. And I mostly enjoy Louise Erdrich - I really liked The Master Butcher's Singing Club.
Vampires in the Lemon Grove is not only a short story, but it is the title of a book including other stories.I have caught Vampires in the Lemon Grove and St. Lucie's Home for Girls... in different Best of American Short Stories- loved them both!
Sam Joyce Have you read When You Reach Me ? I think you'd love it.
carrie's younger brother I love those Best of American... collections. I have the Short Stories every year since 1993 - I discover so many writers that I want to read more of that way. I also like the Best of American Non-Required Reading. There's so much randomness in those. I come away knowing about so many different things. Recently I read my first essay by David Sedaris in the 2003 issue. OMG - I was laughing out loud at him. And I mostly enjoy Louise Erdrich - I really liked The Master Butcher's Singing Club.
Yes - I tell everyone to read it. But then I get scared: what if you don't like it? It's a book geared to 10-13 year olds. But I loved it.
Oooh! That is exciting. I will keep my eye out for it. I'm tryna find me a used copy of Bazaar of Bad Dreams. I love me some shorts.
I can't find the post to quote but one or two of y'all mentioned The Blackstone Chronicles by John Saul. I've only read the first story but I liked it 
If the other five stories follow the same pattern and if you liked the tv show Friday the 13th: The Series (as I suspect Saul did), you'll probably like The Blackstone Chronicles
If the other five stories follow the same pattern and if you liked the tv show Friday the 13th: The Series (as I suspect Saul did), you'll probably like The Blackstone Chronicles
That's basically the only way one can read him!
David Sedaris another favorite author.
Just finished "Lord of the Flies." Being a father of two boys (ages 6 and 8) made the reading especially difficult. I shudder at the thought of either one of them ending up on an island like the kids in the book did. I know, my older son wouldn't do so well as he reminds me of Simon more than anyone else.
Aside from review books, I've recently finished End of Watch (FINALLY) and The Heart Goes Last (Atwood). Next up is likely the last Cormorant Strike book, Career of Evil (Galbraith).
What did you think of The Heart Goes Last?
I liked it, for the most part. Her strong suit (to my mind) is interesting speculative fiction. There were a couple of 'coincidences' to make the plot threads work that were sketchy, but she's an incredibly strong writer. One bit of courage she showed is that there is just no character who you can root for absolutely. They're all icky (how's that for using precise language? lol). That's a hard sell in fiction, even though it's pretty typical of real people.
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