Esker spends her days teaching math at a private school in Brooklyn. At thirty- one, after early loss and romantic disappointment, she has found re...
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reviews
May 04, 2010
Emily
rated it: 
This was a really enjoyable read, but much more than the sense that I'd want to read it on the beach. Despite (or because of?) it's high "enjoyability-factor," it was a very substantial novel. After reading it, I want to use the term "heavy" to describe it, but I mean that because one of the themes of the novel was the heaviness or lightness or a person, or how a person carries their happiness and sadness.
For example, Wally, the father of a confused 16-year daugh More...
For example, Wally, the father of a confused 16-year daugh More...
Sep 07, 2009
marg
rated it: 
IN addition to the freakish title, which made this an embarrassing work to tote around (I red real books! I promise!), this book was a much weaker attempt than the other Hager Cohen I read - House Lights I think it was called. The writing was very heavy and the overall plot fell short of interesting.
Essentially, a girl named Anna falls from the bleachers (it seems she has a tendency to try to fly - but this is for the most part unexplored though presumably playing a big role in the story)a More...
Essentially, a girl named Anna falls from the bleachers (it seems she has a tendency to try to fly - but this is for the most part unexplored though presumably playing a big role in the story)a More...
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Jul 13, 2007
Liddy
rated it: 
I was familiar with Cohen's nonfiction (especially her great book on deaf culture, Train Go Sorry), so I've long been meaning to try out this novel of hers. It's not bad -- chockablock with vivid details, so the imagining is easy and the characterization superb -- but I wasn't wild about it.
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 20, 2010
Helen
rated it:
I picked this book up because I liked the title so much. Cohen is a terrific writer and the characters are convincing and engaging. By the end of the book, though, I felt a little ambivalent about the book and it took me a while to work out why - I think in the end, the three characters in the book all have a very similar 'voice' and they are also all depressed. This isn't ever discussed in the plot (except for the teenage girl character) but it is clear by the end of the book that they are. The
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Oct 12, 2009
Erin
rated it:
A beautifully written book about a school teacher in her late 20s/early 30s living in New York who volunteers to be a student's tutor and ends up falling for her father. That makes it sound like this is a love story, and it partly is, but it's more a book about growing up and thinking about choices you've made in your life and regrets and being content. I think there should be a word to describe this type of book, but I'm not sure what it is--reading it, I felt melancholy and the end drove me c
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Apr 26, 2011
Kathleen
rated it:
Esker, a math teacher at a private school in Manhattan, begins tutoring a teenage student (Ann) who is homebound after an falling accident. Ann's father (Wally) and Esker become friends. This gets leaked to the headmistress at the school, and there is trouble. Wally runs a restaurant given to him by his wife's inheritance. Meanwhile Wally's wife has made her life in Los Angeles, where she has broken into acting. The pacing of the story was good, the characters believable. Lots of teenage angst,
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Aug 29, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
I picked up this book simply because I liked the title and walked away with a read that was overwhelmingly lovely and sad and rich with emotional nuance and all those literary nooks and crannies that can make a book so satisfying.
So why only three stars then? The ending. While I'm a big fan and supporter of unresolved and even unhappy endings this book's close made me feel as though I'd been cheated. Unresolved and unhappy endings work because they feel realistic--true to a character More...
So why only three stars then? The ending. While I'm a big fan and supporter of unresolved and even unhappy endings this book's close made me feel as though I'd been cheated. Unresolved and unhappy endings work because they feel realistic--true to a character More...
Jun 27, 2008
Leila
rated it:
Heart, You Bully, You Punk is the kind of book you want to read when you are feeling melancholy--it's the print equivalent of Coldplay and a cup of lukewarm tea. It's the kind of book that makes you feel like starving yourself for days and then climbing into the largest, rattiest sweater you can find, and rocking gently in a corner. This isn't to say that I didn't like the book, I did. I mean, I gave it three stars. But it will slowly drive you mad, as you start to look at every gesture you make
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Sep 20, 2011
Steve
rated it:
Incredible writing, thoroughly enjoyable, but without wishing to spoil the experience of anyone wishing to read this book, i'll just hint there's a unforgivable flaw to it.
Sep 09, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
I liked the non-linear narrative. It gave the novel a gossipy/voyeuristic edge that made me happy the same way a particularly good cross-word puzzle makes me happy.
Mar 20, 2009
Katie
rated it:
found a copy of this in a pile at the salvation army and remembered i read it a few years back. wasn't nearly as good as the title seemed to suggest.
Feb 24, 2009
Jenny
rated it:
This book was so beautifully written. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with the end, but I can't blame it on Leah Hager Cohen.
Jun 06, 2011
Chrissy
rated it:
I liked the writing more than the big picture story. There were many beautiful moments of text in this book. The characters were a little ethereal, but that's also what added the touch of magic to this book. Without it, the plot would have lost my interest. The ending is definitely not on my happily-ever-after list - there's no tragedy, either (I guess that's up for argument) - but that's just my optimistic preference for endings.
Dec 26, 2007
Khaya
rated it:
Hmm. I liked the writing, sort of, but sometimes it felt overwritten and pretentious. A bit slow and weird. Reading it wasn't painful, but I didn't love it either -- I guess that makes it a perfect 3-star book. It'll be interesting to see what the other book club members have to say.
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Jun 18, 2008
Carol
rated it:
I enjoyed this book as it dealt with relationships, loneliness and being a spectator in life. These are all themes that I can relate to. The characters are quirky but engaging. Good light read.
Mar 05, 2009
Camille
rated it:
A stunningly accomplished novel. Thoroughly engrossing and beautiful in its honesty and realism.
Apr 23, 2008
Philip
rated it:
a different kind of read for me.
chick-flicky in nature, but interestingly written, with full characters and a very realistic lens.
chick-flicky in nature, but interestingly written, with full characters and a very realistic lens.
Dec 17, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
Despite the unappealing title, this is an extremely well written book about two lonely people who find each other. I highly recommend it.
Jan 30, 2009
Johanna
rated it:
Kinda light (but smart) romantic read. Ending was a disappointment, I felt gypped after having invested in the story.
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