The Only Good Thing Anyone Has Ever Done: A Novel
by Sandra Newman
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 77)
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Readers of unconventional writing styles
Sandra Newman employs numbered and bulleted lists throughout her first novel, but The Only Good Thing Anyone Has Ever Done doesn't suffer because of it. Since the nature of the lists require each point to be succinct, the technique works as long as each brief detail covers a very important matter we'd rather not glean through exposition or inner monologue.
If any fault can be laid at Newman's feet, it would be there for the too-quick wrap up in the concluding pages, but she is hardly ...more
If any fault can be laid at Newman's feet, it would be there for the too-quick wrap up in the concluding pages, but she is hardly ...more
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Read in October, 2006
I really loved this, but I'm okay with things that are of questionable substance but have boundless amounts of style. I am even of the opinion that sometimes enough style and beautiful language can generate substance like spontaneous combustion, without the author even fully meaning to.
it's real cool and jonathan safran foer liked it: "[she:] has an amazingly original way of thinking. ...is often hysterically funny, profoundly strange, and unbearably beautiful. Often all at once.&quo
it's real cool and jonathan safran foer liked it: "[she:] has an amazingly original way of thinking. ...is often hysterically funny, profoundly strange, and unbearably beautiful. Often all at once.&quo
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Read in September, 2008
This book is absolutely unlike anything I have ever read before. That's why I liked it, for its originality. Not a sane or sober character in the bunch. Not a light read b/c it takes some focus to keep the characters and their relationship to each other straight. Lots of loose ends flying around until the end. It's "out there," though, you've been warned. Very, very unique, ecclectic. Almost bizarre. But I liked it.
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Read in July, 2006
sandra newman is incredible at intersecting several unordinary characters' gigantic and complicated life histories in a nonlinear way. lots of lists and other experimental organizational tactics. the story is so idiosyncratic it verges on surreal. really interesting read.
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Read in April, 2007
It seemed like sometimes her style of outlining instead of writing paragraphs was more lazy than creative. It felt like I could skip big chunks of it and it would have no effect on the story-I didn't like that.
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It seemed like sometimes her style of outlining instead of writing paragraphs was more lazy than creative. It felt like I could skip big chunks of it and it would have no effect on the story-I didn't like that
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Read in January, 2003
I like its form. Deconstruction stuff without the annoying babble. Turns religion, philosophy, and mental conditions into an economy. As my dear friend Deborah Carver would say, "Everything is always about sex or fate." This is both.
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Parts of this book made me laugh out loud on the bus. The narrator uses outlines to tell the story, which I thought was very clever.
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Read in June, 2008
this book tries WAY TOO HARD to be stylish and unique. i don`t even know if it`s worth 3 stars, but it was entertaining and fluffy.
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Read in January, 2006
You've never heard of this book because no one has, but it's AWESOME and you'll never know till you read it, damn it, so read it.
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Read in July, 2006
recommends it for:
fans of the experimental
I liked this strange novel and if you like to read about California weirdness, gambling, and mysterious parents, this is the book for you.
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Read in February, 2007
I'm not sure about this book yet. It's really hard to get into.
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Read in June, 2004
This was one weird book.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in June, 2008
Unique.
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