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My Sweet Saga
At nearly 30 years old, Brandon is barely able to make it through life, much less enjoy it. He is weeks away from what should be one of the happiest days of his life, his wedding day to his fiancée, Clarissa, but his attention is distracted when his estranged, erratic and oddly eccentric father suddenly reappears with a bizarre demand: to accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden, where they will meet a man who he claims will change their lives.
Desperate for even a brief escape from his reality, Brandon reluctantly goes with his father, ready for a disaster. But his life changes completely the moment his eyes meet the mysterious Swedish man's daughter, Saga. On a cobblestone street in the middle of Stockholm, Brandon reawakens to life, though struggles to navigate the messy love triangle with Saga and his fiancée, which includes multiple arrests, hospital stays, terrorist bombs, acts of heroism and foolishness, family secrets and even a bit of public nudity.
Desperate for even a brief escape from his reality, Brandon reluctantly goes with his father, ready for a disaster. But his life changes completely the moment his eyes meet the mysterious Swedish man's daughter, Saga. On a cobblestone street in the middle of Stockholm, Brandon reawakens to life, though struggles to navigate the messy love triangle with Saga and his fiancée, which includes multiple arrests, hospital stays, terrorist bombs, acts of heroism and foolishness, family secrets and even a bit of public nudity.
455 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2011
24 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Brett Sills
2 books22 followersBrett Sills is a screenwriter/copywriter from Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 5, 2012
"At nearly 30 years old, Brandon is barely able to make it through life, much less enjoy it. He is weeks away from what should be one of the happiest days of his life, his wedding day to his fiancée, Clarissa, but his attention is distracted when his estranged, erratic and oddly eccentric father suddenly reappears with a bizarre demand: to accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden, where they will meet a man who he claims will change their lives."
What a wonderfully hilarious and well developed character study Brett Sills has created in MY SWEET SAGA! There are many laugh out loud moments, many characters that are so exceptional in their very oddness that the reader is in for the literary ride of a lifetime!
Brandon is the lead character..a man who has been more of an observer of life than a participant- yet that is soon to change! His father, long estranged is a character so full of quirks and eccentricities that I felt this is a character I REALLY REALLY LIKE! (Appologies to Sally Field)
This is very much a literary novel, with an over-arching plot, and many subplots, all combining seamlessly to produce a novel that is part Hiassen, Part Elmore Leonard,part Thurber, part Pratchett and all Brett Sills- a writer to read and to watch for!!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
What a wonderfully hilarious and well developed character study Brett Sills has created in MY SWEET SAGA! There are many laugh out loud moments, many characters that are so exceptional in their very oddness that the reader is in for the literary ride of a lifetime!
Brandon is the lead character..a man who has been more of an observer of life than a participant- yet that is soon to change! His father, long estranged is a character so full of quirks and eccentricities that I felt this is a character I REALLY REALLY LIKE! (Appologies to Sally Field)
This is very much a literary novel, with an over-arching plot, and many subplots, all combining seamlessly to produce a novel that is part Hiassen, Part Elmore Leonard,part Thurber, part Pratchett and all Brett Sills- a writer to read and to watch for!!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
April 5, 2012
Brilliant. I don’t have enough stars to give out. Yup: that’s how good this one is. Seriously. Brandon is about to get married in a few weeks to a dominating lady he doesn’t think he loves, but he’s too lazy to do anything about it. This is the story of just how much can happen between a dinner invite with his eccentric father and the wedding day. Hint: a lot. This book takes ‘laugh out loud’ to a whole new level. Through the quirky and humorous perspective of the groom-to-be, we see how insane the ‘normal’ really is, and how maybe to be happy, we have to go just a little bit crazy along the way. I highly recommend this.
September 17, 2012
if the president can vote for himself, I guess I can give myself a nice review? :)
September 18, 2011
Brandon is an average guy with a less than average life. He’s struggling to accept what the future holds for him; a meaningless job, an upcoming marriage he’s not sure he wants and disapproving, impending in-laws that constantly remind him that he is not nor never will be good enough for their daughter.
As he attempts to focus on what should be the happiest time of his life, his marriage to Clarissa, Brandon’s extremely wealthy yet absent father suddenly reappears, insisting that Brandon accompany him on a spur of the moment trip to Sweden to meet a mysterious man that will supposedly change their lives forever. Although Brandon is reluctant, he gives into his father’s demand, prepares himself for the worst and goes to Stockholm. But things don’t go as badly as he anticipated… actually, it’s quite the opposite. Brandon meets Saga. A beautiful, Swedish woman (obviously not his intended bride) that steals his heart and shows him that there is more to life than just suffering through it.
My Sweet Saga is unique. Witty and genuinely heartfelt. Exciting and emotional. I can honestly say that it has been a long time since a story has impacted me the way this book did. It was written from a guy’s POV which produced a truthful and refreshing take on love and life and let me just say this book is beyond hilarious. The author definitely has a brilliant sense of humor. There were so many different parts throughout that had me cracking up… out loud.
Brandon’s dialogue is extremely blunt at times, uncensored and brutally honest and perhaps a bit shocking when you first begin reading, but it’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book so much. I LOVED that I finally got to read a book that focused on love, sex, romance, humor and just life in general, written solely from a guy’s perspective. It was very… insightful in my opinion. I mean what woman wouldn’t be curious to dive into a man’s thoughts and opinions on those topics? I know I certainly was! So if you’re looking for a story full of strong and believable characters, a fully relateable plot that will engage you from cover to cover, an exciting journey through the beautiful streets of Stockholm, Sweden, family secrets, a complicated love triangle and some awesome, random top 10 lists, then this book is for you.
An amazing debut novel. I’ll be eagerly awaiting more from Brett Sills. Highly recommend.
As he attempts to focus on what should be the happiest time of his life, his marriage to Clarissa, Brandon’s extremely wealthy yet absent father suddenly reappears, insisting that Brandon accompany him on a spur of the moment trip to Sweden to meet a mysterious man that will supposedly change their lives forever. Although Brandon is reluctant, he gives into his father’s demand, prepares himself for the worst and goes to Stockholm. But things don’t go as badly as he anticipated… actually, it’s quite the opposite. Brandon meets Saga. A beautiful, Swedish woman (obviously not his intended bride) that steals his heart and shows him that there is more to life than just suffering through it.
My Sweet Saga is unique. Witty and genuinely heartfelt. Exciting and emotional. I can honestly say that it has been a long time since a story has impacted me the way this book did. It was written from a guy’s POV which produced a truthful and refreshing take on love and life and let me just say this book is beyond hilarious. The author definitely has a brilliant sense of humor. There were so many different parts throughout that had me cracking up… out loud.
Brandon’s dialogue is extremely blunt at times, uncensored and brutally honest and perhaps a bit shocking when you first begin reading, but it’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book so much. I LOVED that I finally got to read a book that focused on love, sex, romance, humor and just life in general, written solely from a guy’s perspective. It was very… insightful in my opinion. I mean what woman wouldn’t be curious to dive into a man’s thoughts and opinions on those topics? I know I certainly was! So if you’re looking for a story full of strong and believable characters, a fully relateable plot that will engage you from cover to cover, an exciting journey through the beautiful streets of Stockholm, Sweden, family secrets, a complicated love triangle and some awesome, random top 10 lists, then this book is for you.
An amazing debut novel. I’ll be eagerly awaiting more from Brett Sills. Highly recommend.
October 21, 2011
If you are looking for a fun, quick (despite the 455 page count), witty book, sprinkled with tons of pop culture references (who doesn't love a good Mike Tyson Punch Out recall?), then I recommend you pick up My Sweet Saga by Brett Sills. This is Sills' first book, and it's filled with nonstop action, cursing, transatlantic adventures, love triangles, family drama, and even a terrorist wreaking havoc on Los Angeles billboards.
A quick synopsis:
At nearly 30 years old, Brandon is barely able to make it through life, much less enjoy it. He is weeks away from what should be one of the happiest days of his life, his wedding day to his fiancée, Clarissa, but his attention is distracted when his estranged, erratic and oddly eccentric father suddenly reappears with a bizarre demand: to accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden, where they will meet a man who he claims will change their lives.
Desperate for even a brief escape from his reality, Brandon reluctantly goes with his father, ready for a disaster. But his life changes completely the moment his eyes meet the mysterious Swedish man's daughter, Saga. On a cobblestone street in the middle of Stockholm, Brandon reawakens to life, though struggles to navigate the messy love triangle with Saga and his fiancée, which includes multiple arrests, hospital stays, terrorist bombs, acts of heroism and foolishness, family secrets and even a bit of public nudity.
Sills writes his characters boldly and without apology - from Clarissa to Brandon's father, Saga to Brandon himself - his honesty in telling Brandon's story, even if not always flattering or likeable, results in a real novel that is easily relatable. Sills' writing style is casual, and though some may feel it is crude at times, I found it to be without pretense.
One thing that I did find a bit disappointing was the way Sills wrapped up the novel - it seemed just a bit hurried and neatly tied up, I felt like I wanted a bit more explanation, especially in Brandon's situation with Saga, and the whole plotline with his father.
I will definitely be on the lookout for other work in the future from Sills, and in the meantime, checking in on his blog from time to time.
A quick synopsis:
At nearly 30 years old, Brandon is barely able to make it through life, much less enjoy it. He is weeks away from what should be one of the happiest days of his life, his wedding day to his fiancée, Clarissa, but his attention is distracted when his estranged, erratic and oddly eccentric father suddenly reappears with a bizarre demand: to accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden, where they will meet a man who he claims will change their lives.
Desperate for even a brief escape from his reality, Brandon reluctantly goes with his father, ready for a disaster. But his life changes completely the moment his eyes meet the mysterious Swedish man's daughter, Saga. On a cobblestone street in the middle of Stockholm, Brandon reawakens to life, though struggles to navigate the messy love triangle with Saga and his fiancée, which includes multiple arrests, hospital stays, terrorist bombs, acts of heroism and foolishness, family secrets and even a bit of public nudity.
Sills writes his characters boldly and without apology - from Clarissa to Brandon's father, Saga to Brandon himself - his honesty in telling Brandon's story, even if not always flattering or likeable, results in a real novel that is easily relatable. Sills' writing style is casual, and though some may feel it is crude at times, I found it to be without pretense.
One thing that I did find a bit disappointing was the way Sills wrapped up the novel - it seemed just a bit hurried and neatly tied up, I felt like I wanted a bit more explanation, especially in Brandon's situation with Saga, and the whole plotline with his father.
I will definitely be on the lookout for other work in the future from Sills, and in the meantime, checking in on his blog from time to time.
August 1, 2012
Umm. Wow. What to say. Unbelievably funny, because this book could be a movie. I need to read more books written from a guy's point of view. Or maybe just from THIS guy's view. From the first scene, I got the idea that this story was going to be like nothing I've read before. Outstanding and intelligent writing, with humor to take the edge off. Seriously, I am floored that guys really think and feel like this. Even though the ending was what I wanted, it still surprised me. I really hope this guy keeps writing, because I think I love him.
December 15, 2011
Author Brett Sill's debut novel, My Sweet Saga, is a laugh out loud hilarious romp through the tribulations of being an almost 30 year old guy in a lame, dead end job, engaged to a girl who is about as deep as a puddle, faced with a lifetime of silence and hatred from his disapproving future in-laws, estranged from his lottery winning father who paid his mother to leave him, and only one friend to speak of who only speaks about his toddler son's toilet training incidents.
While the book may be hysterical, it also packs an emotional punch. Author Brett Sills eloquently captures the twenty something life these days. He has a wonderful and engaging voice that jumps off the page. The narrative made this 453 page book a quick read. It's downright difficult to not get hooked into this fast paced story. You really never know what you are going to get on the next page.
Brandon, the novel's loveable yet somewhat boneheaded protagonist, is stuck in the late twenties rut. Life isn't what he thought it would be. He's the token white guy working for a predominately black television station where he sells ad space on billboards for shows like Honey Buns. He is whipped by his publicist fiance Clarissa who makes him get out of bed at 6 a.m. to buy her tampons so she doesn't get Toxic Shock Syndrome. He doesn't have any close friends to speak of except for a guy at work who is also up for the same promotion that he is, a promotion that Brandon doesn't really want but he knows it would make Clarissa happy. Somewhere in the back of Brandon's mind, he knows that this life trajectory is no good, but he doesn't have the gumption to make any changes, probably because it's easier to go with things than it would be to strike out on his own. Who can't relate to life not being what they thought it would be? I know I can. These emotions were raw, real. They were my own, just presented in a different way.
Then Brandon receives a phone call from his estranged father. His father won the lottery four years ago, gave Brandon's mom 20 million to leave him, then took off to jet around the world entertaining himself with women, booze, and who knows what else. Brandon's father poses an intriguing invitation: Go with him to Sweden, all expenses paid. What's the catch? Brandon needs to pretend to be an astronaut for NASA during a dinner with a Swedish dignitary. Brandon had no intention of going. He wasn't crazy or all that thrilled at the prospect of spending time with his father. When he told Clarissa the story of the phone call, she forbid him to go. So what did Brandon do? He went. (I would have done the same thing.)
You know how people say that there can be a defining moment in your life? Brandon's decision to get on the plane to Stockholm Sweden changed his life forever. Instead of dazzling the Swedish dignitary with all of the bullshit he planned on pulling out of his ass about being an astronaut, Brandon took off with his daughter, the beautiful and mysterious Saga. Saga reminded Brandon of what it was like to live, have fun, and to just be himself and be liked for it. She was a competitive air hockey player, she had no problem stealing go carts while wearing a sumo wrestler costume, and she was easy to talk to and actually listened to what Brandon had to say. In the heat of the moment, Brandon proposes to Saga before leaving to return home to Las Angeles.
Back home, Brandon is faced with quite the dilemma. His wedding to Clarissa is a couple of weeks away and as soon as he gets back home, he falls right back into that mid twenties rut. It's easy to break free when you are in uncharted territory, but it's incredibly difficult to break free when the chains that bind you to your own version of hell sleep in the same bed and pay your rent. He seems relieved yet dismayed that Saga has no way to contact him in LA, but if this time is like all of their encounters in Stockholm, she'll find him.
Does Saga find Brandon in LA? Does Brandon marry Clarissa and stare at his mother in law's manhands for the rest of his life? Does Brandon figure out why his father wanted him to go to Sweden in the first place? You'll have to read the book to find out. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. On a scale of one (I hated it!) to five (I loved it!), I give Brett Sill's My Sweet Saga a five. It's easily one of the best fiction books I've read this year.
This review originally appeared on Feeding My Book Addiction: http://feedingmybookaddiction.blogspo...
While the book may be hysterical, it also packs an emotional punch. Author Brett Sills eloquently captures the twenty something life these days. He has a wonderful and engaging voice that jumps off the page. The narrative made this 453 page book a quick read. It's downright difficult to not get hooked into this fast paced story. You really never know what you are going to get on the next page.
Brandon, the novel's loveable yet somewhat boneheaded protagonist, is stuck in the late twenties rut. Life isn't what he thought it would be. He's the token white guy working for a predominately black television station where he sells ad space on billboards for shows like Honey Buns. He is whipped by his publicist fiance Clarissa who makes him get out of bed at 6 a.m. to buy her tampons so she doesn't get Toxic Shock Syndrome. He doesn't have any close friends to speak of except for a guy at work who is also up for the same promotion that he is, a promotion that Brandon doesn't really want but he knows it would make Clarissa happy. Somewhere in the back of Brandon's mind, he knows that this life trajectory is no good, but he doesn't have the gumption to make any changes, probably because it's easier to go with things than it would be to strike out on his own. Who can't relate to life not being what they thought it would be? I know I can. These emotions were raw, real. They were my own, just presented in a different way.
Then Brandon receives a phone call from his estranged father. His father won the lottery four years ago, gave Brandon's mom 20 million to leave him, then took off to jet around the world entertaining himself with women, booze, and who knows what else. Brandon's father poses an intriguing invitation: Go with him to Sweden, all expenses paid. What's the catch? Brandon needs to pretend to be an astronaut for NASA during a dinner with a Swedish dignitary. Brandon had no intention of going. He wasn't crazy or all that thrilled at the prospect of spending time with his father. When he told Clarissa the story of the phone call, she forbid him to go. So what did Brandon do? He went. (I would have done the same thing.)
You know how people say that there can be a defining moment in your life? Brandon's decision to get on the plane to Stockholm Sweden changed his life forever. Instead of dazzling the Swedish dignitary with all of the bullshit he planned on pulling out of his ass about being an astronaut, Brandon took off with his daughter, the beautiful and mysterious Saga. Saga reminded Brandon of what it was like to live, have fun, and to just be himself and be liked for it. She was a competitive air hockey player, she had no problem stealing go carts while wearing a sumo wrestler costume, and she was easy to talk to and actually listened to what Brandon had to say. In the heat of the moment, Brandon proposes to Saga before leaving to return home to Las Angeles.
Back home, Brandon is faced with quite the dilemma. His wedding to Clarissa is a couple of weeks away and as soon as he gets back home, he falls right back into that mid twenties rut. It's easy to break free when you are in uncharted territory, but it's incredibly difficult to break free when the chains that bind you to your own version of hell sleep in the same bed and pay your rent. He seems relieved yet dismayed that Saga has no way to contact him in LA, but if this time is like all of their encounters in Stockholm, she'll find him.
Does Saga find Brandon in LA? Does Brandon marry Clarissa and stare at his mother in law's manhands for the rest of his life? Does Brandon figure out why his father wanted him to go to Sweden in the first place? You'll have to read the book to find out. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. On a scale of one (I hated it!) to five (I loved it!), I give Brett Sill's My Sweet Saga a five. It's easily one of the best fiction books I've read this year.
This review originally appeared on Feeding My Book Addiction: http://feedingmybookaddiction.blogspo...
November 8, 2011
Blurb from Goodreads
At nearly 30 years old, Brandon is barely able to make it through life, much less enjoy it. He is weeks away from what should be one of the happiest days of his life, his wedding day to his fiancée, Clarissa, but his attention is distracted when his estranged, erratic and oddly eccentric father suddenly reappears with a bizarre demand: to accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden, where they will meet a man who he claims will change their lives.
Desperate for even a brief escape from his reality, Brandon reluctantly goes with his father, ready for a disaster. But his life changes completely the moment his eyes meet the mysterious Swedish man's daughter, Saga. On a cobblestone street in the middle of Stockholm, Brandon reawakens to life, though struggles to navigate the messy love triangle with Saga and his fiancée, which includes multiple arrests, hospital stays, terrorist bombs, acts of heroism and foolishness, family secrets and even a bit of public nudity
My Review
I don't know what word I could use to describe this book, crazy maybe?. Brandon hasn't had a great relationship with his dad for 4 years since he wons millions on the lottery. Now his dad has called and wants him to drop everything and come on a short trip with him to Sweden. With Brandon due to get married in the next few weeks it is the last thing he should be doing. The trip reveals some truths about his father, his past and his own life that will change everything.
The start of this book had me totally confused, I couldn't follow what was going on with Brandon and his dad as his dad wasn't forthcoming with why the trip was happening or anything else he asked. The same with the encounter with Saga for the first half of the story, evasive answers or blatant ignoring. There is a lot of swearing and crude/graphic descriptions and one of the characters is very offensive and quite racist so I would say if your easily offended this is not the book for you.
However I am glad I stuck with it as once you get through the bad language and confusion it is actually quite a good story. There is a lot of humour (adult mostly) throughout the book and the end really brings the story together. The only thing I would say and I have moaned about it before is I wanted more however maybe the author is keeping us hanging and going to bring it out for a second book :D 3/5 for me this time.
At nearly 30 years old, Brandon is barely able to make it through life, much less enjoy it. He is weeks away from what should be one of the happiest days of his life, his wedding day to his fiancée, Clarissa, but his attention is distracted when his estranged, erratic and oddly eccentric father suddenly reappears with a bizarre demand: to accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden, where they will meet a man who he claims will change their lives.
Desperate for even a brief escape from his reality, Brandon reluctantly goes with his father, ready for a disaster. But his life changes completely the moment his eyes meet the mysterious Swedish man's daughter, Saga. On a cobblestone street in the middle of Stockholm, Brandon reawakens to life, though struggles to navigate the messy love triangle with Saga and his fiancée, which includes multiple arrests, hospital stays, terrorist bombs, acts of heroism and foolishness, family secrets and even a bit of public nudity
My Review
I don't know what word I could use to describe this book, crazy maybe?. Brandon hasn't had a great relationship with his dad for 4 years since he wons millions on the lottery. Now his dad has called and wants him to drop everything and come on a short trip with him to Sweden. With Brandon due to get married in the next few weeks it is the last thing he should be doing. The trip reveals some truths about his father, his past and his own life that will change everything.
The start of this book had me totally confused, I couldn't follow what was going on with Brandon and his dad as his dad wasn't forthcoming with why the trip was happening or anything else he asked. The same with the encounter with Saga for the first half of the story, evasive answers or blatant ignoring. There is a lot of swearing and crude/graphic descriptions and one of the characters is very offensive and quite racist so I would say if your easily offended this is not the book for you.
However I am glad I stuck with it as once you get through the bad language and confusion it is actually quite a good story. There is a lot of humour (adult mostly) throughout the book and the end really brings the story together. The only thing I would say and I have moaned about it before is I wanted more however maybe the author is keeping us hanging and going to bring it out for a second book :D 3/5 for me this time.
October 2, 2011
More at For The Love of Reading!
Brandon is a perfectly normal guy or so it seems at first, he’s Jewish, dead allergic to cilantro and has a cracking relationship with his Chinese ‘Hollywood publicist’ fiancée. Brandon’s dad is a lottery winner and a total douchebag racist who disowned Brandon and who’s antics with Tiger Woods lead Brandon to pretend to work for NASA and travel to Sweden where he unexpectantly gathers a little fame and even more notoriety until they ( Sweden ) actually have to ship him off the whole country. Which leads to one of the funniest openings scenes I’ve ever read in a book!
Sill's writing is totally witty and funny and I more than ten times laughed out loud. Brandon is portrait as this frustrated with his life but intriguing normal guy who gets over his head.
I found the language bit crude, but then again it fit perfectly within the book, Brandon’s father was annoying, his fiancée had him so whipped I was cringing reading it but what I did love when he reached Sweden! With all the Sweden detail like Ace of Base ( I use to be a fan when I was in fourth grade, and sang All That She Wants with my bestie to our hairbrushes on overnight stays… ummm yeah… ) The Old Town and street names to name few make me all giddy inside, considering I’ve visited Stockholm yearly since I’ve been 3 and its fun to see sort of American view of it. Not to mention a seriously fun one!
Ummm, it's very difficult and my swedish language teacher's favourite way to torture us student in the 7th grade.
This book had me in stiches! Extremely funny with a nice touch of dry humor evened out.
I’d recommend this book to people with a good sense of humor and loose attitude on what is appropriate to joke about and what is not. And if you live in Scandinavia, you will be wanting to read this!
Brandon is a perfectly normal guy or so it seems at first, he’s Jewish, dead allergic to cilantro and has a cracking relationship with his Chinese ‘Hollywood publicist’ fiancée. Brandon’s dad is a lottery winner and a total douchebag racist who disowned Brandon and who’s antics with Tiger Woods lead Brandon to pretend to work for NASA and travel to Sweden where he unexpectantly gathers a little fame and even more notoriety until they ( Sweden ) actually have to ship him off the whole country. Which leads to one of the funniest openings scenes I’ve ever read in a book!
Sill's writing is totally witty and funny and I more than ten times laughed out loud. Brandon is portrait as this frustrated with his life but intriguing normal guy who gets over his head.
I found the language bit crude, but then again it fit perfectly within the book, Brandon’s father was annoying, his fiancée had him so whipped I was cringing reading it but what I did love when he reached Sweden! With all the Sweden detail like Ace of Base ( I use to be a fan when I was in fourth grade, and sang All That She Wants with my bestie to our hairbrushes on overnight stays… ummm yeah… ) The Old Town and street names to name few make me all giddy inside, considering I’ve visited Stockholm yearly since I’ve been 3 and its fun to see sort of American view of it. Not to mention a seriously fun one!
Ummm, it's very difficult and my swedish language teacher's favourite way to torture us student in the 7th grade.
This book had me in stiches! Extremely funny with a nice touch of dry humor evened out.
I’d recommend this book to people with a good sense of humor and loose attitude on what is appropriate to joke about and what is not. And if you live in Scandinavia, you will be wanting to read this!
December 1, 2011
Brandon's sure somebody would want his life - he just knows it's not him. He's about to marry Clarissa (never mind that her father's a racist), he's got a job (where he's the token white guy), and his little-seen father just won the lottery. So when his dad announces they're going to Sweden to meet the man who will changes their lives, he's ready for adventure. Nothing big, just impersonating a NASA employee, trying to become an astronaut, and a little public nudity. And then he meets Saga, the mystery man's daughter, and suddenly Brandon's juggling two fiancees on two continents - life just got a lot more interesting.
This is a very funny book, full of sarcastic wit (we are fans of that at Jenaissance). The humour can be crude at times, but it is used to good advantage in the story. Readers should be aware that the book contains strong language, and several characters are quite racist. The wording can become uncomfortable at times, but is appropriate in context. The story does get off to a slow start, but picks up after a while.
It's refreshing to read a rom-com from the male perspective, especially when you realize that they're just as clueless of those of us of the fairer sex. Life is messy, and everything can change in a single moment. And being a man, Brandon never sees it coming until it's run him over.
This isn't a book for the faint of heart or the delicate of sensibilities - it's real and raw. Those that persevere will find themselves rewarded by good storytelling. It's all in the details here, especially the wonderful depiction of Sweden (Ace of Base, anyone?).
This is a very funny book, full of sarcastic wit (we are fans of that at Jenaissance). The humour can be crude at times, but it is used to good advantage in the story. Readers should be aware that the book contains strong language, and several characters are quite racist. The wording can become uncomfortable at times, but is appropriate in context. The story does get off to a slow start, but picks up after a while.
It's refreshing to read a rom-com from the male perspective, especially when you realize that they're just as clueless of those of us of the fairer sex. Life is messy, and everything can change in a single moment. And being a man, Brandon never sees it coming until it's run him over.
This isn't a book for the faint of heart or the delicate of sensibilities - it's real and raw. Those that persevere will find themselves rewarded by good storytelling. It's all in the details here, especially the wonderful depiction of Sweden (Ace of Base, anyone?).
August 11, 2016
Hilarious and smart. It's rare that you get a book as humorous yet as smart and insightful as My Sweet Saga. I'd best compare it to Confederacy of Dunces (Pulitzer Prize winner). The characters are vivid, the humor is original, and the main character doesn't go through your typical "progression" like most novels attempt. In some sense it is both a regression and a progression, which to watch occurring simultaneously was something I don't know if I've ever seen done before. As funny as it is, it still has the depth to stay with you while you're not reading it. Highly recommended.
June 18, 2012
The main character was completely unlikable. I don't have any sympathy for him. The author does make some attempts at humor, but since I didn't care about the main character, it was hardly redeemable.
April 7, 2014
Hysterically funny, well developed characters....A story with HEART! HIGHLY recommend!!!!
March 15, 2012
Laugh out loud funny. This book is well written, and insightful. Did I mention hilarious? Seriously, I really need more Brett Sills in my life.
October 12, 2012
This book was hillarious!! I absolutly loved it! I sat in the lunch room at work laughing like an idiot! Great characters, fun writing. Highly recommend!
March 31, 2012
Buckle up. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
These should be the opening words of My Sweet Saga by Brett Sills, a frenetic, quirky book that is funny in an "I hope my mom never hears that joke" kind of way. Brandon is engaged (accidentally) to Clarissa - a joyless, celeb-culture-crazed PR woman, and he works for a company where he is the only white guy, selling billboards for the station's most popular show - Honey Buns. Just when he feels like his life is caving in on him, Brandon's millionaire dad calls, asking him to join him for a dinner in Sweden. Reluctant, Brandon only goes as a last resort, but the trip will jolt him from his so-called life and make him realize what he wants.
I definitely want to talk about My Sweet Saga, but before I do, let me give you a brief rundown of some of the oddities that happen in this book:
* Brandon's millionaire father publicly dumps his wife of many years in front of hundreds of guests. (built-in father issues)
* His dad pays his way to Stockholm weeks before the wedding.
(Ok, not so odd)
* The purpose of dinner with dad? Why, Dad wants to go to space.
* At dinner, Brandon meets Saga, an impossible Swedish beauty.
* They make love in a public fountain after one blissful day together.
* There is a terrorist attack on Honey Buns billboards.
* Brandon and Saga have sex nine times in one afternoon.
Yes, truth is stranger than fiction, and yes, a couple of these things together may have been no problem. However, all of these combined with the ending? I felt like I was in some guy's wet dream. In fact, I even had inklings early on that maybe Saga wasn't real. By the time he's rooty-toot-tootin' about having sex with her nine times, I was sure she wasn't or that he wasn't sincere. Alas, she is, and he was.
Plus, the writing was extremely uneven. There were several moments where I wanted to pick up the infamous green pen (I don't use red ink to edit) and go a bit crazy. There was even a several-page section where the father repeats this exact phrase: "...if these street names weren't all so damn long, I think we'd have an easier damn time finding it." Not once. Or twice. FOUR times in four pages. I mean, yes, in natural speech, we do repeat ourselves. But word for word? I kept having to make sure extra pages hadn't been added in.
That said, there were parts of the book I enjoyed in a Bridget Jones kind of way. (Particularly as, to be fair, Bridget Jones is sort of every chick's wet dream.) Brandon is the ultimate antihero, and I did find myself cheering for him. There were also definite moments where I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the antics of this besotted young man. I do think Sills (a debut author) definitely has talent as a storyteller and will look for more (and better polished) stories from him in the future.
These should be the opening words of My Sweet Saga by Brett Sills, a frenetic, quirky book that is funny in an "I hope my mom never hears that joke" kind of way. Brandon is engaged (accidentally) to Clarissa - a joyless, celeb-culture-crazed PR woman, and he works for a company where he is the only white guy, selling billboards for the station's most popular show - Honey Buns. Just when he feels like his life is caving in on him, Brandon's millionaire dad calls, asking him to join him for a dinner in Sweden. Reluctant, Brandon only goes as a last resort, but the trip will jolt him from his so-called life and make him realize what he wants.
I definitely want to talk about My Sweet Saga, but before I do, let me give you a brief rundown of some of the oddities that happen in this book:
* Brandon's millionaire father publicly dumps his wife of many years in front of hundreds of guests. (built-in father issues)
* His dad pays his way to Stockholm weeks before the wedding.
(Ok, not so odd)
* The purpose of dinner with dad? Why, Dad wants to go to space.
* At dinner, Brandon meets Saga, an impossible Swedish beauty.
* They make love in a public fountain after one blissful day together.
* There is a terrorist attack on Honey Buns billboards.
* Brandon and Saga have sex nine times in one afternoon.
Yes, truth is stranger than fiction, and yes, a couple of these things together may have been no problem. However, all of these combined with the ending? I felt like I was in some guy's wet dream. In fact, I even had inklings early on that maybe Saga wasn't real. By the time he's rooty-toot-tootin' about having sex with her nine times, I was sure she wasn't or that he wasn't sincere. Alas, she is, and he was.
Plus, the writing was extremely uneven. There were several moments where I wanted to pick up the infamous green pen (I don't use red ink to edit) and go a bit crazy. There was even a several-page section where the father repeats this exact phrase: "...if these street names weren't all so damn long, I think we'd have an easier damn time finding it." Not once. Or twice. FOUR times in four pages. I mean, yes, in natural speech, we do repeat ourselves. But word for word? I kept having to make sure extra pages hadn't been added in.
That said, there were parts of the book I enjoyed in a Bridget Jones kind of way. (Particularly as, to be fair, Bridget Jones is sort of every chick's wet dream.) Brandon is the ultimate antihero, and I did find myself cheering for him. There were also definite moments where I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the antics of this besotted young man. I do think Sills (a debut author) definitely has talent as a storyteller and will look for more (and better polished) stories from him in the future.
September 28, 2011
Brandon is an average guy with a less than average life. He’s struggling to accept what the future holds for him; a meaningless job, an upcoming marriage he’s not sure he wants and disapproving, impending in-laws that constantly remind him that he is not nor never will be good enough for their daughter.
As he attempts to focus on what should be the happiest time of his life, his marriage to Clarissa, Brandon’s extremely wealthy yet absent father suddenly reappears, insisting that Brandon accompany him on a spur of the moment trip to Sweden to meet a mysterious man that will supposedly change their lives forever. Although Brandon is reluctant, he gives into his father’s demand, prepares himself for the worst and goes to Stockholm. But things don’t go as badly as he anticipated… actually, it’s quite the opposite. Brandon meets Saga. A beautiful, Swedish woman (obviously not his intended bride) that steals his heart and shows him that there is more to life than just suffering through it.
My Sweet Saga is unique. Witty and genuinely heartfelt. Exciting and emotional. I can honestly say that it has been a long time since a story has impacted me the way this book did. It was written from a guy’s POV which produced a truthful and refreshing take on love and life and let me just say this book is beyond hilarious. The author definitely has a brilliant sense of humor. There were so many different parts throughout that had me cracking up… out loud. Like this scene between Brandon and his father…..
Brandon’s Father: “Oh come on, it’ll be good. I haven’t seen you in forever.”
Brandon: “Not since your last girlfriend flashed her big fake breasts to our entire extended family.”
Brandon’s Father: “Your still angry about that? It was a party. And they were nice.”
Brandon: “It was Grandma Sylvia’s funeral.”
Brandon’s dialogue is extremely blunt at times, uncensored and brutally honest and perhaps a bit shocking when you first begin reading, but it’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book so much. I LOVED that I finally got to read a book that focused on love, sex, romance, humor and just life in general, written solely from a guy’s perspective. It was very… insightful in my opinion. I mean what woman wouldn’t be curious to dive into a man’s thoughts and opinions on those topics? I know I certainly was! So if you’re looking for a story full of strong and believable characters, a fully relateable plot that will engage you from cover to cover, an exciting journey through the beautiful streets of Stockholm, Sweden, family secrets, a complicated love triangle and some awesome, random top 10 lists, then this book is for you.
An amazing debut novel. I’ll be eagerly awaiting more from Brett Sills. Highly recommend.
As he attempts to focus on what should be the happiest time of his life, his marriage to Clarissa, Brandon’s extremely wealthy yet absent father suddenly reappears, insisting that Brandon accompany him on a spur of the moment trip to Sweden to meet a mysterious man that will supposedly change their lives forever. Although Brandon is reluctant, he gives into his father’s demand, prepares himself for the worst and goes to Stockholm. But things don’t go as badly as he anticipated… actually, it’s quite the opposite. Brandon meets Saga. A beautiful, Swedish woman (obviously not his intended bride) that steals his heart and shows him that there is more to life than just suffering through it.
My Sweet Saga is unique. Witty and genuinely heartfelt. Exciting and emotional. I can honestly say that it has been a long time since a story has impacted me the way this book did. It was written from a guy’s POV which produced a truthful and refreshing take on love and life and let me just say this book is beyond hilarious. The author definitely has a brilliant sense of humor. There were so many different parts throughout that had me cracking up… out loud. Like this scene between Brandon and his father…..
Brandon’s Father: “Oh come on, it’ll be good. I haven’t seen you in forever.”
Brandon: “Not since your last girlfriend flashed her big fake breasts to our entire extended family.”
Brandon’s Father: “Your still angry about that? It was a party. And they were nice.”
Brandon: “It was Grandma Sylvia’s funeral.”
Brandon’s dialogue is extremely blunt at times, uncensored and brutally honest and perhaps a bit shocking when you first begin reading, but it’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book so much. I LOVED that I finally got to read a book that focused on love, sex, romance, humor and just life in general, written solely from a guy’s perspective. It was very… insightful in my opinion. I mean what woman wouldn’t be curious to dive into a man’s thoughts and opinions on those topics? I know I certainly was! So if you’re looking for a story full of strong and believable characters, a fully relateable plot that will engage you from cover to cover, an exciting journey through the beautiful streets of Stockholm, Sweden, family secrets, a complicated love triangle and some awesome, random top 10 lists, then this book is for you.
An amazing debut novel. I’ll be eagerly awaiting more from Brett Sills. Highly recommend.
January 5, 2012
Brandon is a thirty-year-old guy who goes through the motions through life. His fiancée, Clarissa, is a complete nag, and his job at an African-American broadcast station where he is the only white employee is as rewarding as a wet rag. So when Brandon gets an out-of-the-blue phone call from his Powerball-winning father, who barely calls twice a year, asking him to accompany him to Sweden, Brandon is looking for a way to escape.
Okay, I have to get a couple of things out of the way: one, I’m not really sure I liked the narrator, Brandon. Some of his comments were offensive, and stated in an offhanded manner that did not quite make it to funny. Also, the fact that he saw nothing wrong with cheating on his fiancée while on an unannounced vacation with some Swedish woman he just met and subsequently fell in love with (?) gave me severe pause. I get that you’re frustrated with your life and your fiancée, Brandon. But I still don’t like that he cheated in every sense of the word on Clarissa, no matter how annoying she was.
Two, I wasn’t quite convinced with Brandon’s Swedish love interest, Saga. He meets her by chance and then ends up falling head over heels for her… but even he admits several times throughout the book that he has no idea who she is. I guess you’ve got to believe in love at first sight in order for that relationship to seem realistic, and in order to overlook the complete lack of chemistry between these two. Plus, Saga was pretty one-dimensional in my opinion. Sure, she is really pretty and she and Brandon end up having great sex or whatever but there was zero character development, something that wasn’t resolved by book’s end.
While My Sweet Saga isn’t half as clever as it thinks it is, it certainly has its moments of hilarity and heartfelt sincerity, which makes for a fun read. One of the last chapters, in fact, made me burst out laughing at the visual picture it created (“On a side note, if ever looking for a way to beat the cold, try running for your life, buck ass naked, while being chased by a psychotically angry man four times your size. It’s like emotional flannel. You won’t feel a thing.” – Gold!). Everything from the toilet humor to the various, sometimes obscure pop culture references (Brandon tells his fiancée he had a “roommate” named Anton Chekov—I see what you did there, Mr. Sills) was on point, and even gave me a chuckle or two. Overall, Mr. Sills is no Tucker Max, but I appreciated the effort. If you’re looking for a quick, lighthearted read, this one’s for you.
Okay, I have to get a couple of things out of the way: one, I’m not really sure I liked the narrator, Brandon. Some of his comments were offensive, and stated in an offhanded manner that did not quite make it to funny. Also, the fact that he saw nothing wrong with cheating on his fiancée while on an unannounced vacation with some Swedish woman he just met and subsequently fell in love with (?) gave me severe pause. I get that you’re frustrated with your life and your fiancée, Brandon. But I still don’t like that he cheated in every sense of the word on Clarissa, no matter how annoying she was.
Two, I wasn’t quite convinced with Brandon’s Swedish love interest, Saga. He meets her by chance and then ends up falling head over heels for her… but even he admits several times throughout the book that he has no idea who she is. I guess you’ve got to believe in love at first sight in order for that relationship to seem realistic, and in order to overlook the complete lack of chemistry between these two. Plus, Saga was pretty one-dimensional in my opinion. Sure, she is really pretty and she and Brandon end up having great sex or whatever but there was zero character development, something that wasn’t resolved by book’s end.
While My Sweet Saga isn’t half as clever as it thinks it is, it certainly has its moments of hilarity and heartfelt sincerity, which makes for a fun read. One of the last chapters, in fact, made me burst out laughing at the visual picture it created (“On a side note, if ever looking for a way to beat the cold, try running for your life, buck ass naked, while being chased by a psychotically angry man four times your size. It’s like emotional flannel. You won’t feel a thing.” – Gold!). Everything from the toilet humor to the various, sometimes obscure pop culture references (Brandon tells his fiancée he had a “roommate” named Anton Chekov—I see what you did there, Mr. Sills) was on point, and even gave me a chuckle or two. Overall, Mr. Sills is no Tucker Max, but I appreciated the effort. If you’re looking for a quick, lighthearted read, this one’s for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2011
This review can also be found on my blog Just a Lil Lost.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ (3.5/5 stars)
My Sweet Saga follows the story of Brandon, nearly 30 years old and about to marry his fiancée when his lottery-winner of a dad whisks him away to Sweden for a mysterious dinner meeting. At this meeting, events occur that set the stage for said "sweet saga".
However, don't let the fun, colourful stick-figure cover fool you. Although My Sweet Saga does have it's fair share of comical moments, it is more than just a light-hearted romp. At its core, it's about the protagonist's journey to finding himself. Amidst all the cursing, sex and shenanigans, Brandon comes to terms with what he wants and doesn't want, the maturity subtly emerging from him and quashing his former passive self.
I found Sills' debut novel to have quite the funny & interesting narrative voice. The characters were fairly well developed, making you really love or hate (or love to hate) them. I found myself rooting for Brandon at the same time as wanting to smack him upside the head sometimes. There were mysteries and twists & turns which were well executed, and provided a driving force to the story to keep going to find out what happens. Admittedly, it wasn't the crass mentions of sex & swearing that turned me off from the book but rather the seemingly major focus on everyone's race. At some points, it was mildly relevant to the story, but often times it really didn't feel like it was. There was just so much emphasis on whether someone was Chinese or Jewish or Swedish (and therefore their associated, slightly stereotypical, attributes) that at times, I felt it bordered on being offensive.
That being said, if you're able to look past that, the story is quite an exciting one full of secrets, international travel, and even a bomb threat. It reads like a coming-of-age tale where mistakes are made, lessons are learned and in the end, hopefully all are more the wiser.
My Sweet Saga is currently available in stores.
I received this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ (3.5/5 stars)
My Sweet Saga follows the story of Brandon, nearly 30 years old and about to marry his fiancée when his lottery-winner of a dad whisks him away to Sweden for a mysterious dinner meeting. At this meeting, events occur that set the stage for said "sweet saga".
However, don't let the fun, colourful stick-figure cover fool you. Although My Sweet Saga does have it's fair share of comical moments, it is more than just a light-hearted romp. At its core, it's about the protagonist's journey to finding himself. Amidst all the cursing, sex and shenanigans, Brandon comes to terms with what he wants and doesn't want, the maturity subtly emerging from him and quashing his former passive self.
I found Sills' debut novel to have quite the funny & interesting narrative voice. The characters were fairly well developed, making you really love or hate (or love to hate) them. I found myself rooting for Brandon at the same time as wanting to smack him upside the head sometimes. There were mysteries and twists & turns which were well executed, and provided a driving force to the story to keep going to find out what happens. Admittedly, it wasn't the crass mentions of sex & swearing that turned me off from the book but rather the seemingly major focus on everyone's race. At some points, it was mildly relevant to the story, but often times it really didn't feel like it was. There was just so much emphasis on whether someone was Chinese or Jewish or Swedish (and therefore their associated, slightly stereotypical, attributes) that at times, I felt it bordered on being offensive.
That being said, if you're able to look past that, the story is quite an exciting one full of secrets, international travel, and even a bomb threat. It reads like a coming-of-age tale where mistakes are made, lessons are learned and in the end, hopefully all are more the wiser.
My Sweet Saga is currently available in stores.
I received this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2011
So ... what can you expect from this book ... well firstly I think I should tell you what not to expect. Don't expect a short, quick read (it's a solid 453 pages) and don't expect to be immediately engaged (it took me about 50 pages or so to get really interested). What you can expect is to chuckle - maybe even laugh - often, once you get into the book. You can expect to be set back on your heels at the language and stark descriptions of sex (it gets very crass so be warned). You can also expect to finish reading with a smile and the feeling that the hours spent reading have been well worth it.
Brandon has quite the boring life when we first meet him: a little weird, but boring. Well, as boring as the life of a young Jewish man, engaged to a young Chinese woman and working in an office where he is the token white in a sea of black, can be. Then his lottery jackpot winning Dad shows up and things start to get really wild! Pretty soon Brandon finds himself impersonating a NASA employee with hopes of becoming an astronaut, juggling two fiancee's over two continents and attaining hero status for an act of desperate stupidity. Needless to say, his life is no longer boring!
My feeling is that this is one of those books that readers will either love or hate. It doesn't lend itself to
ambiguous feelings. The language is strong, the characters are strong, the story is strong so the feelings we have, as readers, are likely to be strong. I started out on the dislike side of the fence but, after meeting Dad, moved solidly over to the love side. As the story progressed, the characters grew and developed, which pleased me. Secrets, I had no idea were being held, were revealed, which pleased me. Brandon, especially, managed to surprise me by maturing and taking responsibility for his life and decisions, which also pleased me. What pleased me most of all was the feeling of satisfaction I had as I closed the last page of 'My Sweet Saga'.
Brett Sills has written an amazing debut novel. I, for one, will be watching for more.
Brandon has quite the boring life when we first meet him: a little weird, but boring. Well, as boring as the life of a young Jewish man, engaged to a young Chinese woman and working in an office where he is the token white in a sea of black, can be. Then his lottery jackpot winning Dad shows up and things start to get really wild! Pretty soon Brandon finds himself impersonating a NASA employee with hopes of becoming an astronaut, juggling two fiancee's over two continents and attaining hero status for an act of desperate stupidity. Needless to say, his life is no longer boring!
My feeling is that this is one of those books that readers will either love or hate. It doesn't lend itself to
ambiguous feelings. The language is strong, the characters are strong, the story is strong so the feelings we have, as readers, are likely to be strong. I started out on the dislike side of the fence but, after meeting Dad, moved solidly over to the love side. As the story progressed, the characters grew and developed, which pleased me. Secrets, I had no idea were being held, were revealed, which pleased me. Brandon, especially, managed to surprise me by maturing and taking responsibility for his life and decisions, which also pleased me. What pleased me most of all was the feeling of satisfaction I had as I closed the last page of 'My Sweet Saga'.
Brett Sills has written an amazing debut novel. I, for one, will be watching for more.
November 27, 2011
My recent experiences with authors and publishers sending me books to review have been somewhat underwhelming so I was a bit wary about reading My Sweet Saga. I shouldn't have worried. This is a well-written story about a guy who's so used to going with the flow that he can't even find the strength to end a relationship that makes him miserable and how his life changes when he meets a woman who is so unlike his fiance that she upsets his routine and shows him that a different life is possible. It's funny and although the start is slow it picks up pace and flows nicely all the way through. I could really see what kind of people all the characters were and Brandon and Saga's character development and relationship arc was interesting to watch. Saga's original secretiveness and general "take it or leave it" demeanor seems mysteriously odd at first but as the novel progresses it begins to make sense. With Brandon it was a bit trickier - his inactivity in the face of an undoubtedly miserable future and the choices he makes when he actually does act are maddening (the guy did everything exactly the wrong way) but at the same time his weakness makes him sympathetic and I was glad when he actually did what he knew was right all along. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot and had fun with the characters when they were having a good time and commiserated with them when things weren't working quite working out. The writing was light and easy and reminded me a little of Matthew Norman's so if Domestic Violets appealed to you this book may as well.
The only but serious drawback was the constant and very graphic referenced and descriptions of sexual encounters, body parts and bodily functions that are better left to the privacy of a bedroom or behind the closed doors of a restroom. Once or twice would've been fine but what I saw here was excessive and more often than not did nothing to move the plot forward.
All in all this is a good debut novel and I look forward to seeing what Mr. Sills does with his next book.
The only but serious drawback was the constant and very graphic referenced and descriptions of sexual encounters, body parts and bodily functions that are better left to the privacy of a bedroom or behind the closed doors of a restroom. Once or twice would've been fine but what I saw here was excessive and more often than not did nothing to move the plot forward.
All in all this is a good debut novel and I look forward to seeing what Mr. Sills does with his next book.
November 6, 2011
Description:
Brandon is a run-of-the-mill 30 year old, but with no zest for life, he feels like his is just going through the motions. He works a dead-end job, is unsure about his upcoming nuptials, feels hated and judged by his future in-laws, and his racist butt-hole of a father just reappeared in his life. So it's no great shock that he can't manage to focus on anything in-particular; that is, until his lotto-winning father insists that Brandon accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden to meet a man that could change their lives. It is here that Brandon meets Saga. A beautiful Swedish woman that shows him not only how to live, but how to love. Unfortunately, this new-found love of life leads him to impersonate a NASA employee, become a national hero, get arrested, break indecent exposure laws, and have two fiances.
Review:
This book was a total over-the-top surprise! Brett Sills' writing style, dialogue, and characters are brilliant. Never have I laughed so much at some of the most ridiculously funny and crude material that I've ever read. The characters are well-developed and strangely relatable, and the discussions they have are full of wit and blunt-edged sarcasm. It was fun to read a book completely in a male's point of view, especially since most romance/comedy reads focus on the women. My Sweet Saga is completely unique with a plot full of unforeseen twists. It is refreshing to read a book about how messed up and wonderfully unexpected life can be. I highly recommend this to adults who want to read something different and laugh out loud doing it! I will be anxiously waiting for Brett Sills' next novel!
Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)
*** I received this eBook from Admiral J Press in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Brandon is a run-of-the-mill 30 year old, but with no zest for life, he feels like his is just going through the motions. He works a dead-end job, is unsure about his upcoming nuptials, feels hated and judged by his future in-laws, and his racist butt-hole of a father just reappeared in his life. So it's no great shock that he can't manage to focus on anything in-particular; that is, until his lotto-winning father insists that Brandon accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden to meet a man that could change their lives. It is here that Brandon meets Saga. A beautiful Swedish woman that shows him not only how to live, but how to love. Unfortunately, this new-found love of life leads him to impersonate a NASA employee, become a national hero, get arrested, break indecent exposure laws, and have two fiances.
Review:
This book was a total over-the-top surprise! Brett Sills' writing style, dialogue, and characters are brilliant. Never have I laughed so much at some of the most ridiculously funny and crude material that I've ever read. The characters are well-developed and strangely relatable, and the discussions they have are full of wit and blunt-edged sarcasm. It was fun to read a book completely in a male's point of view, especially since most romance/comedy reads focus on the women. My Sweet Saga is completely unique with a plot full of unforeseen twists. It is refreshing to read a book about how messed up and wonderfully unexpected life can be. I highly recommend this to adults who want to read something different and laugh out loud doing it! I will be anxiously waiting for Brett Sills' next novel!
Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)
*** I received this eBook from Admiral J Press in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
May 21, 2012
I in no way, shape, or form, condone cheating. That being said, this is a pretty hilarious book, and had the details of the sexual escapades been left to the imagination instead of being constantly expounded upon, I would have probably given this a five star rating. Call me a prude, but I’m not into rampant sex in my books—never have been, never will be, but to each his/her own. Thus, if you have no qualms about such things, then I highly suggest this novel—if you’re like me, tread carefully, but it’s a funny story nonetheless, so you might want to at least try it.
Sills tells the story of Brandon, a 30-year-old man in a rut. He has a beautiful fiancée, though I found her a bit boorish and much too demanding, a dead end job, and a snobby, millionaire father who won’t give him a cent. As Brandon narrates his life, explaining the ins and outs of the male mind, the story gets wilder and wilder, and yet the characters are believable and, dare I say, lovable? Yes, I think Sills’ makes Brandon a loveable character in that he is brutally honest and, though a bit explicit, really trying to find himself, though it comes at the expense of others, namely Clarissa, but by the end of the novel, I didn’t like her all that much anyway, so…
To see my full review (5/23/12):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
Sills tells the story of Brandon, a 30-year-old man in a rut. He has a beautiful fiancée, though I found her a bit boorish and much too demanding, a dead end job, and a snobby, millionaire father who won’t give him a cent. As Brandon narrates his life, explaining the ins and outs of the male mind, the story gets wilder and wilder, and yet the characters are believable and, dare I say, lovable? Yes, I think Sills’ makes Brandon a loveable character in that he is brutally honest and, though a bit explicit, really trying to find himself, though it comes at the expense of others, namely Clarissa, but by the end of the novel, I didn’t like her all that much anyway, so…
To see my full review (5/23/12):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
July 15, 2012
A wicked sense of humor, excellent writing and loopy plot kept me mostly engaged with this story. This book also demonstrates the power of e-publishing and Goodreads. I would have NEVER picked this novel off the bookshelf unless by accident and after reading a few pages, would have snuck it back onto the shelf in hopes no one saw it in my hand. The looser male protagonist’s attitudes toward relationships and life itself are pretty dismal, and I’m afraid in some cases, all too accurate. While the character’s man-boy antics are quite funny, I hope they serve as a cautionary tale and not an ‘it’s all good’ confirmation that the ‘dissolute lifestyle‘ Sgt. Friday warned us ‘60‘s era children about might end well.
In spite of some really funny scenes and great writing, I found the ‘Neal Stephensonesque' tangents detracted from an otherwise well laid out plot.
In spite of some really funny scenes and great writing, I found the ‘Neal Stephensonesque' tangents detracted from an otherwise well laid out plot.
March 1, 2012
Brandon has a sad life. He wasn't happy about getting married soon and took a way out when his father comes along and offers him a way to leave his life for a while. While in Sweden Brandon falls for a local girls, Saga. With family secrets, bombs and some hilarious scenes the book is a good read.
Brett brings us a male's point of view and it is a switch for me that I enjoyed reading. I had some laugh out loud experiences that keeps the book moving along. The setting and plot works well as you can see yourself in at different places through out the book.
I will admit at the beginning of the book it starts off a bit slow, but after you get going you can not put this book down.
Brett brings us a male's point of view and it is a switch for me that I enjoyed reading. I had some laugh out loud experiences that keeps the book moving along. The setting and plot works well as you can see yourself in at different places through out the book.
I will admit at the beginning of the book it starts off a bit slow, but after you get going you can not put this book down.
December 27, 2012
This was a very good book and hard to put down, but at the same time, I did have to keep putting it down. Just because the main character was such a jerk.
But the story was nice. The plot was twisting and engaging. All sewn together with some laugh out loud moments. I found the book to be well written. I obviously got into the characters. That is why it was so easy to get mad at Brandon, the voice of the book for being a coward and a jerk. In his defense, he openly admitted to being both as well as an asshole, so you have to give him credit for that.
All said and done, you know it is a good book when it stays with you long after you finished the last page.
But the story was nice. The plot was twisting and engaging. All sewn together with some laugh out loud moments. I found the book to be well written. I obviously got into the characters. That is why it was so easy to get mad at Brandon, the voice of the book for being a coward and a jerk. In his defense, he openly admitted to being both as well as an asshole, so you have to give him credit for that.
All said and done, you know it is a good book when it stays with you long after you finished the last page.
April 7, 2012
Cute, funny, a completely different perspective for me. This may be the first book (love story) I've read from a man's point of view. If you can get past the "dick" (I know, can't believe I typed that!) jokes, it's fullof comical moments. A MUST read for any man in your life!
May 7, 2012
absolutely loved this book! freaking hilarious!! just a fun, enjoyable read! i usually don't like humorous books but something about this one just resonated with me, everyone should at least give this book a try!!
July 29, 2012
I thought this was pretty good. Brandon is a smart ass which I love & the humor is written well so as not to seem like the author is trying too hard. It did make me LOL a few times & kept me interested enough to keep reading. Debated on giving 4 stars but...
Want to read
May 14, 2012$0.0
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