11th out of 17 books
—
2 voters
The Average American Marriage: A Novel
by
Chad Kultgen
At last, the long-awaited sequel to The Average American Male: a new novel that finds Chad Kultgen's oversexed, blithely raunchy narrator . . . now married with children
Five years ago, Chad Kultgen's first novel, The Average American Male, was launched to a storm of controversy-fueled in part by a viral video campaign that garnered international media attention. An outrage...more
Five years ago, Chad Kultgen's first novel, The Average American Male, was launched to a storm of controversy-fueled in part by a viral video campaign that garnered international media attention. An outrage...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
February 12th 2013
by Harper Perennial
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A four star review for "The Average American Marriage" by Chad Kultgen
"The Average American Marriage", the long-awaited sequel to Chad Kultgen’s much debated, always controversial "The Average American Male", is a matter-of-fact foray into the male mind and sexual fantasy.
Forthright and unashamed, Chad Kultgen is not afraid to "go there" with blunt language and imagery, offering up a spot-on portrait of how some men view their marriages. "The Average American Marriage" is the book everyone will...more
"The Average American Marriage", the long-awaited sequel to Chad Kultgen’s much debated, always controversial "The Average American Male", is a matter-of-fact foray into the male mind and sexual fantasy.
Forthright and unashamed, Chad Kultgen is not afraid to "go there" with blunt language and imagery, offering up a spot-on portrait of how some men view their marriages. "The Average American Marriage" is the book everyone will...more
My first Chad Kultgen. I thought I'd pick this up, since I'm getting married soon. Take Charles Bukowski and multiple it by a nasty factor of at least 10. Then you have Kultgen. How have I not read him before? A man detests his wife. He is no longer sexually attracted to her, and every move she makes actually repulses him. So, he fantasizes about every woman he sees....even women he's not attracted to. When that falls short of adequate satisfaction, he strikes up an affair with a younger, more a...more
I wish I could have the three hours of my life back spent reading this book.
It's not that I'm offended by the sexism or raunch or foul language. It's just that this book does a terrible job of it. Totally unimaginative. The main character is neither an effective, funny polemic; nor does he garner any human sympathy; nor does he provide any nuanced insight into actual life. A failure both as a novel of manners and a polemic -- not sure which one the author was aiming for. The characters are nothi...more
It's not that I'm offended by the sexism or raunch or foul language. It's just that this book does a terrible job of it. Totally unimaginative. The main character is neither an effective, funny polemic; nor does he garner any human sympathy; nor does he provide any nuanced insight into actual life. A failure both as a novel of manners and a polemic -- not sure which one the author was aiming for. The characters are nothi...more
If you've not come across Chad Kultgen before, he writes dark, deeply cynical erotic novels heavy on shock value but grounded in philosophy. His genuinely provocative debut The Average American Male spurred on a series of four books dealing with the sexual frustrations of single men, teenagers, families and married couples. In this one the nameless narrator of the first book is back, and now he's struggling to juggle a dying, loveless marriage and the temptation of his 20-year-old intern across...more
This book is obscene. This book is obscene, and that's great -- we need more books that are willing to take an plunge into the deep end, and not just for the sake of being raunchy.
This is my first experience with Chad Kultgen's books, but from what I've read, he's no stranger to unapologetic vulgarity. Too many authors shy away from even hinting at the not-so-appropriate areas of life, sexual or otherwise, so a writer who wastes no time getting deep into the nitty-gritty is always a treat.
But a...more
This is my first experience with Chad Kultgen's books, but from what I've read, he's no stranger to unapologetic vulgarity. Too many authors shy away from even hinting at the not-so-appropriate areas of life, sexual or otherwise, so a writer who wastes no time getting deep into the nitty-gritty is always a treat.
But a...more
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I've been following Chad Kultgen for some years now. He's one of the few authors of whom I can say I've read every one of his books. I remember reading The Average American Male on break and after work when I was working at the UCLA student store. I remember reading it in two sittings and laughing, actually laughing, which is a hard thing for a book to make me do and yet still take it seriously, which I certainly did for this one. I didn't buy it (sorry Chad) but I did buy his next book The Lie...more
I won this through Goodreads first reads, and I cant tell you just how grateful I was. This was of the most funnest books I have read in a long time. How I missed this wonderful author I dont know, But boy am I glad I finally got the opportunity to do so.
I found this amazing. I was laughing my ass off from the first page and laughed to the end. I just loved the dirty man humor. Being one of the only females in my large family I always had more of a males sense of humor and this was right up my a...more
I found this amazing. I was laughing my ass off from the first page and laughed to the end. I just loved the dirty man humor. Being one of the only females in my large family I always had more of a males sense of humor and this was right up my a...more
In all honesty... That is pretty much the key phrase in this book. While I can see where most people would get offended by this book, if I could write a companion novel based on what women are thinking about constantly, it would read pretty close to this one. Towards the beginning of the book, the author is describing sex with his wife and how much an episiotomy scar bothered him. Honestly, his wife was probably thinking along the same lines! "Do I look the same? Is that a bad view of my @ss? Di...more
So this book is written pretty graphically, not only in terms of language but also in terms of honesty. While reading this book. I felt that I was really inside the psyche of certainly many "average" American males. With that said I loved the fact that this book provided a candid snapshot of what so many think on a daily basis about love, relationships, and the boredom and excitement that are a part of all of the above. If you can get past the gratuitous sexuality that composes the majority of t...more
A brutally honest portrayal of the vapid and conflicted lives of unsuccesfuly married American (and Canadian) men. What makes the book good is the author's ability to reveal the emotional struggle of being with ones kids and family versus the biological urge of procreating with every attractive woman a man sees when his wife has lost interest in the sexual aspect of the marriage. The writing style is simplistic and direct which makes the work feel more truthful than it already is. You are plugge...more
I got this from the Goodreads First Read giveaway (not sure if that is the exact name or not, but close enough).
I was really excited about the sequel to The Average American Male. I reread the first one to get ready to fully enjoy The Average American Marriage. I am sad to say that the first book was better. The second was not bad and I would readily read it again, but it does not have the same feel as the first book. This may be a tactic the author planned as the main character has grown older...more
I was really excited about the sequel to The Average American Male. I reread the first one to get ready to fully enjoy The Average American Marriage. I am sad to say that the first book was better. The second was not bad and I would readily read it again, but it does not have the same feel as the first book. This may be a tactic the author planned as the main character has grown older...more
This is a great story about the average american marriage of to his wife Alyna. He talks about the
lack of sexual activity in there marriage since their two children Jane and Andy been born. frustration with the lack of sex in there marriage, has turned him into a cocky man who imagines a sexual encounter with every woman in front of him. Finding himself bored with his every day routine, gets off of work at six. Home by six forty-five. Eats dinner with Alyna and kids at seven, kids get baths righ...more
lack of sexual activity in there marriage since their two children Jane and Andy been born. frustration with the lack of sex in there marriage, has turned him into a cocky man who imagines a sexual encounter with every woman in front of him. Finding himself bored with his every day routine, gets off of work at six. Home by six forty-five. Eats dinner with Alyna and kids at seven, kids get baths righ...more
this was a pretty irreverent view on marriage in a guy's perspective. i read this because i was curious and seeking/researching male POV on relationships. it was interesting and depressing and funny all at the same time. i wouldn't reccommend to anyone who is offended by bad words or detailed and naughty sexual encounters and adultry. chad kultgen obviously detests the institution of marriage. it was pretty stereotypical and left me with that blah feeling at the end,but even still, i enjoyed the...more
I pretty much hated this book.
You will notice that, despite that, I gave it three stars.
"Why?"
Well, as much as I hate it--as much as I was alternately over it, bored by (honestly, at some point the cursing and misogyny just gets woefully dull and repetitive), and angry at it--I think the novel does something good. It made me confront myself--my feelings, my beliefs about "average" or "normal" society.
It was a long and messy thing, and I am definitely not dragging you in unless you want to go t...more
You will notice that, despite that, I gave it three stars.
"Why?"
Well, as much as I hate it--as much as I was alternately over it, bored by (honestly, at some point the cursing and misogyny just gets woefully dull and repetitive), and angry at it--I think the novel does something good. It made me confront myself--my feelings, my beliefs about "average" or "normal" society.
It was a long and messy thing, and I am definitely not dragging you in unless you want to go t...more
This is classic Chad Kultgen. If you read The Average American Male, this is more of the same, which is exactly what most of his readers want.
I read everything Kultgen published.
He is one of those love-or-hate writers with a strong bias to subjects some people may find gross, disturbing or plain childish.
But indubitably, he knows exactly how to describe the way most of men of my generation think and will never admit. His talent is even more obvious when he writes in first person, like in this...more
I read everything Kultgen published.
He is one of those love-or-hate writers with a strong bias to subjects some people may find gross, disturbing or plain childish.
But indubitably, he knows exactly how to describe the way most of men of my generation think and will never admit. His talent is even more obvious when he writes in first person, like in this...more
You would think this humorous, deadpan, distanced, nuanced, oversexed style would be difficult for Chad to maintain for all of his books, but you'd be wrong - this is just as entertaining as its predecessor and the rest of Chad's catalog. It's fantasy that seems realistic enough to keep you hooked through the dramatics, lending credibility to the out-there inner thoughts of men wondering "what-if". Lets's laugh out loud (always difficult for a book to pull off), and pretend that my life never wa...more
I reluctantly give this book a 3 although for my reading pleasure it was more of a 1 as it's really not my kind of novel. I admire the writer for "telling it like it is" and being searingly candid but it was a little too graphic for me. If I were unmarried and read this thinking this really was an "average" marriage, I would probably run screaming from the nuptials.
That all being said, the guy can write and there were times it was just too painful--or sickening--to read but guys who like Max Tuc...more
That all being said, the guy can write and there were times it was just too painful--or sickening--to read but guys who like Max Tuc...more
read the complete review at http://bulliesbooksmoney.blogspot.com...
I received and uncorrected proof from Goodreads firstreads program. I am unsure of what this is; if it is fiction, or biographical, I believe it’s fiction based on real life. There are coarse language and sex scenes so this book is definitely not for everyone.
I did actually enjoy reading this book. In this book we explore the life and marriage of supposedly an average American guy. I would like to add to that though as being an...more
I received and uncorrected proof from Goodreads firstreads program. I am unsure of what this is; if it is fiction, or biographical, I believe it’s fiction based on real life. There are coarse language and sex scenes so this book is definitely not for everyone.
I did actually enjoy reading this book. In this book we explore the life and marriage of supposedly an average American guy. I would like to add to that though as being an...more
Won in a Goodreads giveaway.
It was cool to get a male perspective into a marriage. And I can appreciate that. Thank you Mr. Kultgen for really instilling in me through your novel the desire to never get married! It was uh, captivating? The first chapter really will jump out and grab you, especially if you haven't read any of his other works, like myself. I don't know how to accurately describe my reaction. I was kind of mad, kind of disgusted, kind of intrigued, but ultimately understanding. If...more
It was cool to get a male perspective into a marriage. And I can appreciate that. Thank you Mr. Kultgen for really instilling in me through your novel the desire to never get married! It was uh, captivating? The first chapter really will jump out and grab you, especially if you haven't read any of his other works, like myself. I don't know how to accurately describe my reaction. I was kind of mad, kind of disgusted, kind of intrigued, but ultimately understanding. If...more
As a woman (and something of a feminist), I think I'm supposed to hate this book. At the outset, it was like roadkill: repulsive yet fascinating. By the middle, though, I'd embraced the raunchy,obnoxious,unflinching portrait of an id-driven male psyche.
I read the ARC a few months ago and truth be told, I remember the broad story arc but very little of the plot. Still, I found it refreshingly in-your-face and memorable for some of its more colorful vignettes.
I read the ARC a few months ago and truth be told, I remember the broad story arc but very little of the plot. Still, I found it refreshingly in-your-face and memorable for some of its more colorful vignettes.
If you have trouble with hearing or uttering obscenities, or reading hyper-sexual dialogue, then this book is not for you. If you are the opposite, have at it. Kultgen is a master of parody and crass humor. You will either love it or hate it. I find his writings to be entertaining and shocking. With that said, I liked the book, but have a strong preference for another novel of his called "The Lie".
Ouch. This book is pretty disturbing but it definitely kept my interest. It's very sexually explicit but I think it has a good message overall in that wives need to continue to have sex with their husbands, etc. Even though some level of complacency is inevitable. Props to this guy for being so honest. Would not recommend reading if your marriage is in any way unstable.
The narrator's thoughts are my worst nightmare. Do husbands really find episiodomy scars disgusting? He found nothing attractive about his wife just memories of her younger, pre baby self. He finds comfort in her familiarity and appreciates her as a mother while mentally critizing everything about her.
There was something about this book that I didn't like quite as much as the first... I think it has to do with the fact that I am married and greatly fear falling into this "average" American marriage trap that Kultgen so accurately portrays (IMO, obvs). It is slightly less raunchy than the Average American Male but only slightly so. It is interesting to see a marriage in the eyes of the guy and I found myself yearning to hear from his wife. Kultgen has a pretty clear message here and it is defi...more
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After two months in his birthplace Spokane, WA Chad Kultgen spent the majority of his life in a suburb of Dallas, TX called Lewisville. After high school, he turned down a full ride baseball scholarship to Trinity University in San Antonio, TX to pursue writing. He moved to Los Angeles, CA where he joined the likes of George Lucas, Robert Zemekis, and Ron Howard as a graduate of the prestigious Sc...more
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Feb 13, 2013 02:44am