I feel like I'm the only one in the world who didn't really like this book. There was no plot, no antagonist really (unless you consider the city of B...moreI feel like I'm the only one in the world who didn't really like this book. There was no plot, no antagonist really (unless you consider the city of Brooklyn a character (or maybe it's the protagonist?), or maybe Poverty is the antagonist?), no point. I was so bored reading it and if it wasn't for book club, I wouldn't have forced my way through it. Or half of it.
The only character I really liked was Aunt Sissy, and how the author used her to explore the idea of a "good" person vs a "bad" person.(less)
I marked this as read, but that's a lie. Sorry Bridget, you know you should move on to a different book after you've fallen asleep when reading in the...moreI marked this as read, but that's a lie. Sorry Bridget, you know you should move on to a different book after you've fallen asleep when reading in the afternoon... three times. I liked this book so much in theory, but it was so mindbogglingly boring. The author took at least 50 pages to explain what could have been accomplished in less than 10. I don't want to soil the good name of Pulitzer, but this is the 3rd Pulitzer Prize winning book I've read, and I've had the same experience with all three. I'm giving up.(less)
It's almost unfair to give this book one star because the writing is refreshing (see phrase "vehicular awesomeness"), but the narrator is a male high...moreIt's almost unfair to give this book one star because the writing is refreshing (see phrase "vehicular awesomeness"), but the narrator is a male high school senior, and thus talks and thinks like one. Not exactly the sort of mind I want to dip in and out of. I read about 50 pages before the swearing was too much for me.(less)
I marked this as read, but that's a lie. I didn't get past the dedication where he dedicates the book to his mom and then apologizes about all the swe...moreI marked this as read, but that's a lie. I didn't get past the dedication where he dedicates the book to his mom and then apologizes about all the swearing. I have a strict PG-13 policy on books and upon flipping through I counted about 10 unacceptable four-letter words in about 30 seconds. No thanks.(less)
I'm abandoning this book before I even got it from the libary. I heard about it on NPR, and thought it sounded interesting, so I marked it. Then I jus...moreI'm abandoning this book before I even got it from the libary. I heard about it on NPR, and thought it sounded interesting, so I marked it. Then I just went and read some reviews and remembered that I, too, think Christopher Kimball is snobbish and sexist and I dislike him (even if I love, love, love my America's Test Kitchen cookbook). Apparently, these traits come out to an extreme degree in the book, and why do I want to subject myself to that? Also, why won't goodreads let me just delete this from my "to read" list?(less)
I would have liked this book better if it was written by someone else. The author is an ex-English teacher, and the writing was a little too... Englis...moreI would have liked this book better if it was written by someone else. The author is an ex-English teacher, and the writing was a little too... English-teacher-y. If I'm reading non-fiction science, I don't want it to be too fancy. Maybe, tone down the long-winded philosophical musings on the meaning of childhood?(less)
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