book data
152 ratings,
3.70
average rating, 15 reviews
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published
2003
by Vintage
(first published 1971)
details
Paperback, 224 pages
isbn
0099446979
(isbn13: 9780099446972)
description
As a citizen, Nicholas Payne is not in the least solid. As a boyfriend, he is nothing short of disastrous, and his latest flame, the patrician Ann Fit…more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 208)
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5 stars (32)
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4 stars (60)
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3 stars (44)
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2 stars (15)
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1 star (1)
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avg 3.70
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in October, 2009
It's amazing how pointless my life seems when I'm trying to make myself read a book I don't like. Reading a really bad book can be kind of fun, as I like to mentally catalog all my complaints in preparation for writing a scathing review. But I didn't have that sense of purpose here. I just kept thinking, again and again, "what?"
I guess I just didn't get it. There were whole paragraphs and conversations that I couldn't connect to the story, and there were dozens of allusions t...more
I guess I just didn't get it. There were whole paragraphs and conversations that I couldn't connect to the story, and there were dozens of allusions t...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
The weary, the young and restless, the withering and nostalgic, the lonesome; bats.
Thomas McGuane's sophomore effort, The Bushwhacked Piano, was a much more enjoyable story than his debut. And I'm starting to see what the hype (if you can call it that) is all about with this guy.
Here McGuane continues to spin tales about young, rich men who are at a loss for meaning in their lives; this time, however, he makes a book about more than simply that: he tells a twisted tale about a young couple doomed to fail, disapproving parents, an obese inventor who is missing some ...more
Here McGuane continues to spin tales about young, rich men who are at a loss for meaning in their lives; this time, however, he makes a book about more than simply that: he tells a twisted tale about a young couple doomed to fail, disapproving parents, an obese inventor who is missing some ...more
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Read in February, 2009
Just randomly picked this up at the store and really enjoyed it. It's all about the writing here, although I enjoyed the weird story and thoroughly strange characters. Sort of Pynchon-lite -- much more accessible for the most part, but you still get really interesting writing. Also it's only 200 pages long and reads fast. I will seek out more of this author.
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Great fun, well-written, has the strange free-range fear and freedom of that first summer after college.
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Read in March, 2010
Off beat humor, off the wall characters, perfect title
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Read in January, 1992
Wry novel of a rebellious young man blundering his way through life. There is a quote at the beginning of the novel which sets the tone best, "When the sea was calm all ships alike showed mastership in floating." Which is to say all it takes is a rough life for a regular person even with their heart in the right place to wander from the norm of American expectations.
My father bought this book for me I suppose in consolation for a rough patch in my life.
My father bought this book for me I suppose in consolation for a rough patch in my life.
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Read in August, 2008
This is a book that you read as much for the sheer beauty of some of the sentence's. You read the occasional sentence, or paragraph, with your jaw agape. Then turn around and re read it just to be sure read it right. Then you read it just for the joy of it.
This said, it is also a very funny novel, replete with Bat Towers, and and Hemoroids. What more can you ask for?
This said, it is also a very funny novel, replete with Bat Towers, and and Hemoroids. What more can you ask for?
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Read in January, 2006
From the author of 92 in the Shade, a great (?) story of poor plans executed badly. In the great tradition of some of my favorite 70's films, a genre that might be called American Existential Absurdist comedies like Pocket Money and Emperor of the North Pole.
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My favorite author to date. I found this book in college while looking for a contemporary road novel. This IS IT. Playful, imaginative writing within the classic tale of boy meets girl, girl rejects boy, boy stalks her from coast to coast. McGuane is a less maniacal version of Tom Robbins--Or perhaps Sam Shepherd on mesculine.
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Read in January, 1998
recommends it for:
everyone on the planet... cool people
Unconventional novel in that spare, second half of the 20th century style. A bumbler's tale of unwise choices in the name of love. I think it starts with the loser protagonist breaking into his uppity girlfriend's house in the middle of the night.
Very original and funny. Wouldn't work as a movie, it's all in the telling.
Very original and funny. Wouldn't work as a movie, it's all in the telling.
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I love McGuane's writing style. This is a great adventure that gets a little off-putting when the main character has a rather disturbing operation in the book's last 20 or so pages. It put Sarah D off of the book, she otherwise loved it too.
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Read in January, 2002
This novel begins, as best I can recall, with a description of the hero having his wisdom teeth pulled, and glimpsing his own mortality in the process. An adventure, and a masterpiece of tone.
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Beautifully-written, lyrical, poetic train wreck. You should at least try to experience this, because there's not much else like it, really.
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
no one
Not a fan of this book. While it was clever and I could tell the scenes where it was to be humorous, I find it a forgettable book.
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