What do you think?
Rate this book
Bittersweet Symphony
First published on September 11th, 2017, Bittersweet Symphony is a gothic postmodern novella following seven severely flawed characters who come to believe that their office on the 17th Floor of a tower in the city of Syracuse is haunted. In the concrete jungles of corporate New York, a skyscraper stands in a faded industrial brownfield. The Madson Tower, a place notorious for murders and cases of deadly negligence, has attracted the interests of CEO Tony Barone and his team of employees. Sure, the landlord might be a bit creepy, Tony's daughter might be seeing things that aren't real, but the cheap rental price is definitely a steal! If Tony wasn't such a skeptic himself, he might be able to see the horrible things surrounding him. Are his employees just being too panicky, or is there something more sinister at work? If Tony doesn't figure out what to do soon, he and his team might just become more casualties of a structure that eats people alive.
223 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2017
926 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 24, 2018
Madson Tower was a post-modern skyscraper in Syracuse, New York. It was built by Dahsol Inc. a company connected with the mafia. The company constructed buildings on cheap, undesirable land. Madson Tower, run by Thomas Madson, had been built on the site of a 1930's radium factory. In 2005, Tony Barone was determined to rent Floor 17. Bailey Lawrence Kane aka "Lawyer" was unable to dissuade Tony from renting this office space. "Madson Tower was infested with murder. Death and mayhem were woven into the very fabric of the building". Shortly thereafter, Tony and his staff moved their operations to Floor 17.
Tony Barone, ad executive was the divorced father of ten year old Selena. Tony was a fan of morbid humor such as ... putting the "fun" back in "funeral". He notified his staff that failure to work in the tower was grounds for dismissal. Miguel Hernandez, Tony's co-executive, was unnerved by a metallic, blood-like smell in the office. Miguel second guessed his decision to move from Puerto Rico to the U.S. Dora Johnson, Tony's secretary, once model-like in appearance, now overeats, the result of a damaged reputation as "the town bicycle" at her prior job. "Lawyer" on retainer by Tony Barone, additionally tried criminal cases in New York City. "She made sure that felons always paid the piper".
How will working in Madson Tower affect each of these individuals? In the words of ten year old Selena Barone, there are no ghosts...but..."there's something else here...something like the tower is hungry...like it tasted something it liked a very long time ago...like fear". Selena would know. Her new friend Edward says hello from a gaping black hole in the drywall. Madson Tower gave one's fears a feeding frenzy. Could hope and/or closure emerge triumphant despite the misty gloom floating on Floor 17?
Author Rebecca McNutt masterfully presents a subplot about the Twin Towers. This 9/11 tragedy begs comparison to the 1930's radium factory poisonings. Clarence Lawman's death and its effect on those close to him was necessary, sad and eyeopening. "Bittersweet Symphony", a novella by Rebecca McNutt is an exceptional read from a very talented writer. I highly recommend it!
Thank you Rebecca for the PDF in exchange for my honest review.
Tony Barone, ad executive was the divorced father of ten year old Selena. Tony was a fan of morbid humor such as ... putting the "fun" back in "funeral". He notified his staff that failure to work in the tower was grounds for dismissal. Miguel Hernandez, Tony's co-executive, was unnerved by a metallic, blood-like smell in the office. Miguel second guessed his decision to move from Puerto Rico to the U.S. Dora Johnson, Tony's secretary, once model-like in appearance, now overeats, the result of a damaged reputation as "the town bicycle" at her prior job. "Lawyer" on retainer by Tony Barone, additionally tried criminal cases in New York City. "She made sure that felons always paid the piper".
How will working in Madson Tower affect each of these individuals? In the words of ten year old Selena Barone, there are no ghosts...but..."there's something else here...something like the tower is hungry...like it tasted something it liked a very long time ago...like fear". Selena would know. Her new friend Edward says hello from a gaping black hole in the drywall. Madson Tower gave one's fears a feeding frenzy. Could hope and/or closure emerge triumphant despite the misty gloom floating on Floor 17?
Author Rebecca McNutt masterfully presents a subplot about the Twin Towers. This 9/11 tragedy begs comparison to the 1930's radium factory poisonings. Clarence Lawman's death and its effect on those close to him was necessary, sad and eyeopening. "Bittersweet Symphony", a novella by Rebecca McNutt is an exceptional read from a very talented writer. I highly recommend it!
Thank you Rebecca for the PDF in exchange for my honest review.
June 19, 2018
This is a fascinating story of a haunting in corporate America with elements of magic and the incredible thrown in. Seven characters intersect in this novel, each one working out past issues through many flashbacks, i.e., dealing with their "ghosts."
Tony Barone, an ad agency guy, finds a deal and rents the 17th floor of a sparsely populated skyscraper in Syracuse, NY. He comes to learn that a previous tenant murdered his co-workers in a grisly way and then committed suicide. Everyone who works on the 17th floor seems to turn up dead. The smoking gun appears to be the burial ground the building was built on. Tony doesn't put any stock in such hooey but the 7 people who work there encounter surprising and sometimes disastrous events. You probably think you know where the plot will go but there's a twist I can't give away.
The writing is surprisingly good. The dialog is a little stiffer than I'd like but McNutt's descriptions are strong and evocative. The plot moves quickly and the twists are welcome. The flashbacks from all of the people bog down the forward movement at times but the overall thrust and conclusion of the novel are great. It's a dark and unorthodox novel, which will provide some fuel for nightmares.
I received a copy of the novel from the author in return for an unbiased review.
Tony Barone, an ad agency guy, finds a deal and rents the 17th floor of a sparsely populated skyscraper in Syracuse, NY. He comes to learn that a previous tenant murdered his co-workers in a grisly way and then committed suicide. Everyone who works on the 17th floor seems to turn up dead. The smoking gun appears to be the burial ground the building was built on. Tony doesn't put any stock in such hooey but the 7 people who work there encounter surprising and sometimes disastrous events. You probably think you know where the plot will go but there's a twist I can't give away.
The writing is surprisingly good. The dialog is a little stiffer than I'd like but McNutt's descriptions are strong and evocative. The plot moves quickly and the twists are welcome. The flashbacks from all of the people bog down the forward movement at times but the overall thrust and conclusion of the novel are great. It's a dark and unorthodox novel, which will provide some fuel for nightmares.
I received a copy of the novel from the author in return for an unbiased review.
January 19, 2018
This book was written in Nova Scotia, and as a Canadian I AM SO HAPPY I AM READING A CANADIAN BOOK. That cannot be understated - I love helping other Canadian authors out. It's so near and dear to my heart.
Rebecca McNutt's novel Bittersweet Symphony was an addicting read for me. Her descriptions and tone in her writing was something that just clicked with me. Her tone was somewhat professional, yet it worked so well within this novel. It almost sounded like the perfection my English teachers in high school wanted us to achieve, but never could. The level of how descriptive her writing is made me feel like I was there with the characters. I could see this being "too much" for some readers, but I love description when it's paired with a good story (and it's not just one hundred pages describing how the characters look).
I like how the story is essentially an allusion for real events, and the little splash of ghosts thrown in as well. It makes it real yet not real, believable yet not believable all wrapped up into one. This book is in it's own little corner, AND I LOVE IT.
I would say this book has some "mature" themes, revolving around language and some things that are referenced (without spoiling). Although, that doesn't mean you have to be 18+ to read it. The book isn't to graphic, so I think teenagers could easily read this book and relate to it.
Pros:
1. Unique story telling - Rebecca doesn't follow your stereotypical, simple writing style. It's hard to explain, but it's different. I like the term "gothic" for it, but that's not 100% on point with how she writes. Essentially, I love an author that writes in their own style and doesn't follow a norm so I REALLY liked this book.
2. Short and Sweet - This book isn't 1000 pages long. This book reminded me of the original Star Wars trilogy: the information that needed to be there, was there. There was no fluff, it got to the point and made an effective story.
3. "Black as the ace of spades" - The language is BEAUTIFUL in this book. I'm obsessed with it. Can Rebecca McNutt write my life story while she's at it?
4. Interconnecting Stories - I'm obsessed with Cloud Atlas (one of my all time faves of interconnecting stories) so it seems fitting that I'd enjoy another book that interconnects everything. Bravo!!
5. Relatable - This book was relatable on so many levels. Just reading how the lawyer says that they are snakes until someone needs their help, and then suddenly they are their best friend - yeah, that one hit me where it hurts. It's so honest, and so true.
6. Shocking Twists and Turns - Some of this book you don't see coming, and I can respect an author that can actually make that work in a novel.
Cons:
1. Dialogue - The dialogue can appear "rigid" or "stiff" to some readers. For me, it worked within the story and how Rebecca was telling her story, but that might turn off other readers.
2. Personal con: Madson. I keep wanting to call it "Madison" or anything but Madson. It was driving me insane as I was reading it because my brain didn't want to comprehend the name. Major personal con here (and an amusing con at that).
I'm amazed that people are saying Rebecca McNutt was 19 when she wrote this. That's a lot of talent for that age, so I can only imagine Rebecca getting better the more she writes and the more time she has to practice. This book doesn't seem like it's written by a 19 year old - it's incredibly mature.
Overall, this unique book had me hooked and addicted from it's first page. I'm so glad I read it, because I haven't read a book so unique and actually good for a very long time!
Five out of five stars.
I received a copy of this book from the author Rebecca McNutt in exchange for an honest review. Everything here is my own, honest opinion.
Side notes: If you want to read this book, the author posted her own "review" offering copies out. It's a great opportunity to read and review an awesome book. Not many authors offer opportunities like this, so hop on it if it's still available!!!
Rebecca McNutt's novel Bittersweet Symphony was an addicting read for me. Her descriptions and tone in her writing was something that just clicked with me. Her tone was somewhat professional, yet it worked so well within this novel. It almost sounded like the perfection my English teachers in high school wanted us to achieve, but never could. The level of how descriptive her writing is made me feel like I was there with the characters. I could see this being "too much" for some readers, but I love description when it's paired with a good story (and it's not just one hundred pages describing how the characters look).
I like how the story is essentially an allusion for real events, and the little splash of ghosts thrown in as well. It makes it real yet not real, believable yet not believable all wrapped up into one. This book is in it's own little corner, AND I LOVE IT.
I would say this book has some "mature" themes, revolving around language and some things that are referenced (without spoiling). Although, that doesn't mean you have to be 18+ to read it. The book isn't to graphic, so I think teenagers could easily read this book and relate to it.
Pros:
1. Unique story telling - Rebecca doesn't follow your stereotypical, simple writing style. It's hard to explain, but it's different. I like the term "gothic" for it, but that's not 100% on point with how she writes. Essentially, I love an author that writes in their own style and doesn't follow a norm so I REALLY liked this book.
2. Short and Sweet - This book isn't 1000 pages long. This book reminded me of the original Star Wars trilogy: the information that needed to be there, was there. There was no fluff, it got to the point and made an effective story.
3. "Black as the ace of spades" - The language is BEAUTIFUL in this book. I'm obsessed with it. Can Rebecca McNutt write my life story while she's at it?
4. Interconnecting Stories - I'm obsessed with Cloud Atlas (one of my all time faves of interconnecting stories) so it seems fitting that I'd enjoy another book that interconnects everything. Bravo!!
5. Relatable - This book was relatable on so many levels. Just reading how the lawyer says that they are snakes until someone needs their help, and then suddenly they are their best friend - yeah, that one hit me where it hurts. It's so honest, and so true.
6. Shocking Twists and Turns - Some of this book you don't see coming, and I can respect an author that can actually make that work in a novel.
Cons:
1. Dialogue - The dialogue can appear "rigid" or "stiff" to some readers. For me, it worked within the story and how Rebecca was telling her story, but that might turn off other readers.
2. Personal con: Madson. I keep wanting to call it "Madison" or anything but Madson. It was driving me insane as I was reading it because my brain didn't want to comprehend the name. Major personal con here (and an amusing con at that).
I'm amazed that people are saying Rebecca McNutt was 19 when she wrote this. That's a lot of talent for that age, so I can only imagine Rebecca getting better the more she writes and the more time she has to practice. This book doesn't seem like it's written by a 19 year old - it's incredibly mature.
Overall, this unique book had me hooked and addicted from it's first page. I'm so glad I read it, because I haven't read a book so unique and actually good for a very long time!
Five out of five stars.
I received a copy of this book from the author Rebecca McNutt in exchange for an honest review. Everything here is my own, honest opinion.
Side notes: If you want to read this book, the author posted her own "review" offering copies out. It's a great opportunity to read and review an awesome book. Not many authors offer opportunities like this, so hop on it if it's still available!!!
March 15, 2018
"As they both walked further into the trees, they disappeared like a hazy mist over flowing water, two old friends who’d been waiting for four years to meet again. Papers were fluttering through the air, falling from the sky, the mundane poetry of office life snowing down like beautiful dancers." ... This riveting, beautifully descriptive story of a haunted tower and even more haunted people will stick with you long after you've read it for several reasons: 1. Bailey, the MC, is the rare lawyer you'll have sympathy for because she is a 9-11 survivor and an extremely well-developed character who is struggling with being a defense lawyer for sickos just as much as her tragic memories; 2. the supporting cast also pops off the page and grows more interesting as the story develops; 3. the growth and ability of the characters to find some good inside themselves and each other despite depressing situations; 4. and the artistic montage of final scenes that flow together more like a painting than words. There is a lot of hurt in this book and in these characters, but in the end, thanks to the ever-rising talents of this author, the reader is left feeling far more sweet than bitter about life and humanity and the power of healing.
March 2, 2018
Bittersweet Symphony, By Rebecca McNutt, is a mesmerizing and compelling tale chock-full of intriguing characters. Without divulging too much of the plot, Tony Barone is a determined, and ambitious ad executive with a goal in mind: Rent the seventeenth floor of Madson Tower, an architectural marvel. But there is something ominous and sinister about the space. Supposedly, a most gruesome series of events occurred on the seventeenth floor, but the horrid incidents did not prove to be a deterrent for the rapacious, Tony Barone.
The story is made invigorating by a cannonade of engaging characters like Selena, Tony’s daughter, Bailey, Miguel, Dora and many more; each with their individual theatrics, and life altering circumstances. From my point of view, Bittersweet Symphony was flawlessly executed, short, and packed a powerful punch. The story was well-paced, and I firmly believe that McNutt truly enjoys the art of writing, evidenced by her multitude of stories, and as she understands the psychology that drives people. This is a story about the psychology of corporate culture, people, their actions and reactions. A well-written story.
The story is made invigorating by a cannonade of engaging characters like Selena, Tony’s daughter, Bailey, Miguel, Dora and many more; each with their individual theatrics, and life altering circumstances. From my point of view, Bittersweet Symphony was flawlessly executed, short, and packed a powerful punch. The story was well-paced, and I firmly believe that McNutt truly enjoys the art of writing, evidenced by her multitude of stories, and as she understands the psychology that drives people. This is a story about the psychology of corporate culture, people, their actions and reactions. A well-written story.
April 17, 2019
Read this book!
This book is a mix of different themes mixed with weirdness. It is brilliantly done! I do not know the author but based on some of her blogs I read, I wonder if she is part of certain characters. It is none of my business. I love how the cover is caricature style for it is different.
The book talks about 9-11-2001 and other things. Many folks (not all) think that after a year of grief a person should be doing this or that now. It shows the dark naked truth on grief and there is no time expiration with grief. This book also reminds folks that everyone grieves differently, the abyss of different traumas, and a reminder of the true meanings of life.
Slightly Spoilers here. There were some things I did not like the book. That is with the character Selena who is a child. Selena is Devil’s or Hades(whatever you call him) child.
The book does an excellent job with 9-11-01 and other topics. It the way 9-11-01 was done that I give this book 5 stars. It was done as if someone was there that day or a loved one. The author explains at the end in a humble way. She was not there and my condolences to the author and everyone that lives were torn apart on that day. The author is right. America was torn that day. It was a day of Hell. A day of evil. Those that lost loves on that day were even torn more. That is stupid of me for writing it like that.
The author reminds a person throughout the book on why that day should never be forgotten and so much more. Everyone should read this book because of these lessons. It took me a while to read this book because of sadness. However, the author also humbly explains why sadness is important. That is also done in a way that only a person with experiences can write about. The title is well done for this book. I am so glad I read this book. There is no question on the research done on this book. I will reread this book. This is my first book of the author and it will not be my last.
🇺🇸🦅
This book is a mix of different themes mixed with weirdness. It is brilliantly done! I do not know the author but based on some of her blogs I read, I wonder if she is part of certain characters. It is none of my business. I love how the cover is caricature style for it is different.
The book talks about 9-11-2001 and other things. Many folks (not all) think that after a year of grief a person should be doing this or that now. It shows the dark naked truth on grief and there is no time expiration with grief. This book also reminds folks that everyone grieves differently, the abyss of different traumas, and a reminder of the true meanings of life.
Slightly Spoilers here. There were some things I did not like the book. That is with the character Selena who is a child. Selena is Devil’s or Hades(whatever you call him) child.
The book does an excellent job with 9-11-01 and other topics. It the way 9-11-01 was done that I give this book 5 stars. It was done as if someone was there that day or a loved one. The author explains at the end in a humble way. She was not there and my condolences to the author and everyone that lives were torn apart on that day. The author is right. America was torn that day. It was a day of Hell. A day of evil. Those that lost loves on that day were even torn more. That is stupid of me for writing it like that.
The author reminds a person throughout the book on why that day should never be forgotten and so much more. Everyone should read this book because of these lessons. It took me a while to read this book because of sadness. However, the author also humbly explains why sadness is important. That is also done in a way that only a person with experiences can write about. The title is well done for this book. I am so glad I read this book. There is no question on the research done on this book. I will reread this book. This is my first book of the author and it will not be my last.
🇺🇸🦅
September 20, 2017
There is an awful sense of foreboding in Rebecca McNutt's latest, & perhaps darkest, story. Like her previous work there is still an incredible maturity for such a young writer, & every character is vividly drawn.
Fictional tragedy blends with real life in one of her most powerful tales. She shows us that sometimes being caught up in the darker side of reality makes us all forget the simple & beautiful things in life. It's wonderful when a work of fiction makes you step back & appreciate the good things that we have & that are all around us.
Fictional tragedy blends with real life in one of her most powerful tales. She shows us that sometimes being caught up in the darker side of reality makes us all forget the simple & beautiful things in life. It's wonderful when a work of fiction makes you step back & appreciate the good things that we have & that are all around us.
March 2, 2018
Bittersweet Symphony, By Rebecca McNutt, is a mesmerizing and compelling tale chock-full of intriguing characters. Without divulging too much of the plot, Tony Barone is a determined, and ambitious ad executive with a goal in mind: Rent the seventeenth floor of Madson Tower, an architectural marvel. But there is something ominous and sinister about the space. Supposedly, a most gruesome series of events occurred on the seventeenth floor, but the horrid incidents did not prove to be a deterrent for the rapacious, Tony Barone.
The story is made invigorating by a cannonade of engaging characters like Selena, Tony’s daughter, Bailey, Miguel, Dora and many more; each with their individual theatrics, and life altering circumstances. From my point of view, Bittersweet Symphony was flawlessly executed, short, and packed a powerful punch. The story was well-paced, and I firmly believe that McNutt truly enjoys the art of writing, evidenced by her multitude of stories, and as she understands the psychology that drives people. This is a story about the psychology of corporate culture, people, their actions and reactions. A well-written story.
The story is made invigorating by a cannonade of engaging characters like Selena, Tony’s daughter, Bailey, Miguel, Dora and many more; each with their individual theatrics, and life altering circumstances. From my point of view, Bittersweet Symphony was flawlessly executed, short, and packed a powerful punch. The story was well-paced, and I firmly believe that McNutt truly enjoys the art of writing, evidenced by her multitude of stories, and as she understands the psychology that drives people. This is a story about the psychology of corporate culture, people, their actions and reactions. A well-written story.
December 8, 2017
True to her style, Rebecca McNutt presents us with another challenging and a bit unorthodox read. The haunted high-rise of the blurb does not have an obvious starring role, but rather serves as a back drop for a story that develops in unexpected ways. The author continues to process and try to comprehend the trauma that was 9/11. This is the absolute best part of the book. Especially chapter 9 is brilliant. My issues, again, lies in the dialogue for the most part. I often start from the characters reacting or speaking in ways that feel off or odd to me. This may very well be cultural or due to languages. Or I may be off. Or old (least likely).
Rebecca continues to graciously offer e-versions on Goodreads, and she gifted me this one as well.
Rebecca continues to graciously offer e-versions on Goodreads, and she gifted me this one as well.
December 29, 2019
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
"Who guards the guards?"
This fast-paced novel utilizes plentiful black humor, intriguing characters, and is just plain well-written. The author uses a lot of dialogue to advance the plot and characters. This keeps the level of wit and energy high. The author does this all confidently, obviously possessing a deep understanding of legal proceedings and human nature in general. Mix in social commentary rooted to the plot and Final Destination style deaths and you have a fun cognitive dissonance. Throughout, the book remains a thrilling read, and luckily, the absurdity of some of the scenarios are appreciated or otherwise commented on by characters. They all are participants in the author's wicked game, whether they have sold their soul or are pretending purity. You could call this book a well-grounded, even sophisticated horror drama crossed with a legal drama.
The Madson Tower constitutes a character in itself, and makes for an effective setting. Macabre lawyers. An effective piece of surreal fiction, which says a lot about society today.
All this aside, the novel is also a unique exploration of a nation’s grief, human cruelty, anger, destructive impulses and more. Full of surprises and unexpected character experiences. It handles its political material well, while relishing its grisly and morbid themes.
This novel surprised me. Not only is it a well-balanced, well-paced story, but the characters and writing are polished and lively. There are many topical references and uses of name brands, but they are implemented with a keen eye to subtle character interaction, world-building, and satire.
The hints of comedy are sprinkled throughout and the more shocking surreal elements are well-timed and often seen through the perspectives of characters who each have a stake and a past.
What stands out the most to me are the character descriptions. They are often outlandish, but they are always delightful. You can tell the author is poking fun at a lot of corporate topics and concerns and drawing relevant commentary from our corpocratic culture. When the players arrive on the scene, the appearances are memorable and vivid. Most of the time, their voices are distinct.
The descriptions and interactions of the lawyers seems quite realistic. But I'm a layman. Therein lies my only caveat. There is a large level of detail and care. It is a smart book, and ambitious, but certain parts felt a tad scattered or like jump-cuts in a movie. No big deal, though I had trouble following some of the many characters' relationships on a few occasions. I think is only due to my preference of storytelling through a single perspective. I'm old school, and all perspectives have to be equally compelling to me, or they have to possess the same weight for me to not get distracted.
In any case, I think you will enjoy this book. The author is talented, funny, and as you can see from the other available titles, already prolific. I see myself reading another one of her novels in the future.
"Who guards the guards?"
This fast-paced novel utilizes plentiful black humor, intriguing characters, and is just plain well-written. The author uses a lot of dialogue to advance the plot and characters. This keeps the level of wit and energy high. The author does this all confidently, obviously possessing a deep understanding of legal proceedings and human nature in general. Mix in social commentary rooted to the plot and Final Destination style deaths and you have a fun cognitive dissonance. Throughout, the book remains a thrilling read, and luckily, the absurdity of some of the scenarios are appreciated or otherwise commented on by characters. They all are participants in the author's wicked game, whether they have sold their soul or are pretending purity. You could call this book a well-grounded, even sophisticated horror drama crossed with a legal drama.
The Madson Tower constitutes a character in itself, and makes for an effective setting. Macabre lawyers. An effective piece of surreal fiction, which says a lot about society today.
All this aside, the novel is also a unique exploration of a nation’s grief, human cruelty, anger, destructive impulses and more. Full of surprises and unexpected character experiences. It handles its political material well, while relishing its grisly and morbid themes.
This novel surprised me. Not only is it a well-balanced, well-paced story, but the characters and writing are polished and lively. There are many topical references and uses of name brands, but they are implemented with a keen eye to subtle character interaction, world-building, and satire.
The hints of comedy are sprinkled throughout and the more shocking surreal elements are well-timed and often seen through the perspectives of characters who each have a stake and a past.
What stands out the most to me are the character descriptions. They are often outlandish, but they are always delightful. You can tell the author is poking fun at a lot of corporate topics and concerns and drawing relevant commentary from our corpocratic culture. When the players arrive on the scene, the appearances are memorable and vivid. Most of the time, their voices are distinct.
The descriptions and interactions of the lawyers seems quite realistic. But I'm a layman. Therein lies my only caveat. There is a large level of detail and care. It is a smart book, and ambitious, but certain parts felt a tad scattered or like jump-cuts in a movie. No big deal, though I had trouble following some of the many characters' relationships on a few occasions. I think is only due to my preference of storytelling through a single perspective. I'm old school, and all perspectives have to be equally compelling to me, or they have to possess the same weight for me to not get distracted.
In any case, I think you will enjoy this book. The author is talented, funny, and as you can see from the other available titles, already prolific. I see myself reading another one of her novels in the future.
March 18, 2018
It would be impossible to review Bittersweet Symphony without some context about the material, and its one-of-a-kind author, Rebecca McNutt. When compared to the rest of her canon, Bittersweet Symphony stands out for the sheer power of its tangible emotion and heartfelt artistic realism, as it spreads across the many themes it so deftly covers. Rebecca poured all of her heart and soul into this special book about grief, loss, memory, PTSD, and everything that represents a light at the end of the tunnel. Instead of focusing on the horror of all that's happened to the many different characters to create a negative, Rebecca uses each and every tightly-woven character arc to represent some sort of hope and positive growth and change, which takes the reader on quite a journey into this incredible storm of emotions through pointed conversations, regretful flashbacks, and supernatural experiences. Ultimately, Bittersweet Symphony is a novel about the value of life, the fleetingness of it, and the reason for those around us, to love and cherish and make a difference, no matter who we are or what we do. In a world that seeks to rip everyone apart, it is encouraging to read material that seeks to bring people together in spite of their differences, and seeks to make the very best out of life when it all goes sideways.
August 15, 2018
I'm hyperventilating right now at the fact that a nineteen-year-old wrote this. Bittersweet Symphony is dark. As in, so dark that your emotions will want to jump out the window. Somebody needs to stamp the front cover with a trigger warning.
September 19, 2019
I loved this! It was original and well-written (I'm beyond impressed that the author was only 19 years old... and from Atlantic Canada! Represent!), entertaining and meaningful. I really enjoyed the descriptive style, the mix of complex and flawed characters, and how the story was sad and horrific but also full of love and hope... with a supernatural twist. I also appreciated the playlist of songs that was interspersed throughout, which added to the atmosphere and filled me with nostalgia (the Kindle version has a list of all the songs at the end of the book, which was awesome).
According to the author, the book was written to raise awareness of the terrorist attacks that took place in America on September 11th, 2001. Reading certain parts inspired me to do more online research, and I ended up watching several 9/11 documentaries in between chapters.
I look forward to reading more of Rebecca McNutt's writing in the future.
According to the author, the book was written to raise awareness of the terrorist attacks that took place in America on September 11th, 2001. Reading certain parts inspired me to do more online research, and I ended up watching several 9/11 documentaries in between chapters.
I look forward to reading more of Rebecca McNutt's writing in the future.
March 8, 2018
I won this book in a giveaway. This book was not at all what I expected. The characters were broken, each dealing with tragedies and hardships in their lives. The descriptions of 9/11 were truly heartbreaking. I would recommend reading this book if you're looking for something different. It will make you think, and the images will stick with you long after you read it.
Read
May 2, 2020I actually didn't read this. Except for the first few pages.
N ot because it wasn't good. There is something wrong with how the pages of this book format on my E-Reader. Either that or just for some reason the text here is to tiny. I had to put it aside because my eyes started to hur t trying to see the text . May revisit in future.
N ot because it wasn't good. There is something wrong with how the pages of this book format on my E-Reader. Either that or just for some reason the text here is to tiny. I had to put it aside because my eyes started to hur t trying to see the text . May revisit in future.
September 18, 2017
Bittersweet Symphony is an easy afternoon read about an ad agency moving into a near-abandoned building with a morbid history. Sure, a lot of people have died in myriad gruesome ways, but rent's cheap. The creepy tower provides a nice backdrop for the intertwining personal stories of each of the characters. You get some tragedy, some horror, and a few uplifting moments, too. My only complaint is that I've had the strings part of that song stuck in my head since I finished reading, and I don't think I've even heard it in years.
February 11, 2018
First off, thank you Rebecca McNutt for sending me a real copy of your book.
Bittersweet Symphony is an interesting book. It is dark, miserable and emanates desperation giving it the feel of a dystopian film where it is always night and raining; hope long since washed down the drain. The disparate, unlikeable and broken characters seem to wallow in their misery as they are pulled together by the vortex that is Madson Tower. There, ultimately, they shed their demons leaving them behind to be destroyed by the purifying destruction of the Madson Tower by the creepy and seemingly unhinged caretaker. Divested of their demons, the protagonists set off on the rest of their lives anew – though I can’t help thinking this is but a thin veneer of post-soul-searching bon-homme that will soon wear thin and they will be back to wallowing in their misery before long.
Bittersweet Symphony is an interesting book. It is dark, miserable and emanates desperation giving it the feel of a dystopian film where it is always night and raining; hope long since washed down the drain. The disparate, unlikeable and broken characters seem to wallow in their misery as they are pulled together by the vortex that is Madson Tower. There, ultimately, they shed their demons leaving them behind to be destroyed by the purifying destruction of the Madson Tower by the creepy and seemingly unhinged caretaker. Divested of their demons, the protagonists set off on the rest of their lives anew – though I can’t help thinking this is but a thin veneer of post-soul-searching bon-homme that will soon wear thin and they will be back to wallowing in their misery before long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2018
This book by a young Canadian author tells the story of seven very flawed characters who come to work in a high rise building with a reputation for employee deaths through several years. The book reminds the reader of what happened in the USA on 9/11/01, intermixed with the rumors of the Madson building being haunted and with a very nasty past. This past includes a history of female workers being poisoned by radium, a realtor who killed all his employees and then himself, among other gruesome stories. Despite the wishes of Tony Barone, the ad agency boss, who insisted on renting the 17th floor of the building, the experiences of his employees and his own young daughter in the building changes his mind, and he leaves with them all before the building is blown up by its current caretaker, allegedly a descendent of a mafia family. A perfect book for Halloween...
April 17, 2018
Quite amazing, when you consider that Rebecca wrote it at 19. From what I know of beginners, they are more concerned with wordplay and bury the story under layers of pompous vocabulary. Not Rebecca McNutt. Despite there being lacunae in characterization and a bit of disjointedness in the unfolding of events, she displays a budding talent for storytelling that would hone itself into something very formidable in a few years.
Madson Tower’s 17th floor is haunted and yet Tony Barone has rented it along with his crew from an ad agency. A splendid corporate setting for horror. There is no point in spilling too much of the plot. Read it for yourself. It’s enjoyable.
(Review of free copy from the author)
Madson Tower’s 17th floor is haunted and yet Tony Barone has rented it along with his crew from an ad agency. A splendid corporate setting for horror. There is no point in spilling too much of the plot. Read it for yourself. It’s enjoyable.
(Review of free copy from the author)
March 3, 2019
The author's first full-lenght novel production, it is a dynamic thriller that, unpretentiously seeks to tackle heavy themes, tracing parallels between the particular traumas of the various characters.
November 15, 2018
I didn't think Bittersweet Symphony would be my cup of tea at first. I'm primarily a horror reader, and while the book is classified as horror, the cover artwork seemed to say otherwise. It resembles a Disney movie poster. From the 1st chapter I was instantly hooked though, and the mix of wholly unpleasant characters grew on me. As the motives for their bad attitudes are slowly revealed, it becomes clear that there's more to these 7 main players than meets the eye. Weirder still is the age of the writer who created the book. She got it published at the age of 19 and from my understanding, it quickly became her most popular book.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
Bittersweet Symphony is set in a neglected modern office tower in Syracuse. Ruthless and determined CEO Tony Barone, who owns Barone Advertising, wishes to rent out the cheap space on Floor 17 and plots to persuade the office tower's landlord to let him in. Tony's nameless attorney reluctantly threatens to sue the landlord, and Tony is given permission to finally rent. His attorney disapproves, making no effort to conceal this as she informs Tony about the unexplained murders that have occurred in the tower, but it isn't long before Barone Advertising and its staff move in. Right away bad things start to happen, including equipment damage, rotten smells filling the office space, hearing voices and even ghost sightings. Selena, Tony's young daughter, hates the tower but is forced to stay there all day, exploring on her own. It's Selena who usually sees the more disturbing things the tower has to offer.
There's a side plot carefully revealed as Bittersweet Symphony continues, and it's both heart-wrenching and tragic. Tony's attorney, known by Tony and the other staff as just "lawyer" (her real name is Bailey but she doesn't use it anymore), witnessed her boss and close friend fatally injured in a terrorist attack. To make up for this loss, she spends her nights killing criminals under the disguise of Lady Justice, taking on the role of judge, jury and executioner as well as lawyer. Tony has a crush on her, but even though she admits she loves him, she's asexual and Tony's a bit of a player who hires hookers to fill the hole his ex-wife left in her wake. This and another side story of agency secretary Dora, who has been gaining weight and coping with apparent depression since a sexual assault, are probably the saddest and most haunting things in Bittersweet Symphony. The landlord, Thomas Madson, also has a very chilling backstory explored in detail involving some kind of mafia cult.
I don't know what was intended in the writing of this book. I know I loved it, but it's as cryptic as it is scary, and to find any hidden tidbits you have to read deeply. The subject of the September 11 Attacks is handled delicately but also brutally. I don't believe in ghosts, but after reading this book I do believe that friendship is the strongest aphrodisiac we have. True to its name, Bittersweet Symphony concludes with a bittersweet ending and something sad but very special and beautiful.
Favorite scene: the 9/11 smoke monster - it's not clear if lawyer is hallucinating or seeing something real but the description is bone-chilling.
Peeve(s): The ending was upsetting. I couldn't stop crying when the truth of everything was revealed at last. It actually works out in the end somehow though and the sentimentality and angel themes finally end up making sense.
Loose ends: I think there's a planned sequel involving Selena Barone, and the book ended on a note that leaves room for one. I CAN'T WAIT! It also mentions that Bernie and Dora are married and that Dora is expecting a baby. Maybe that will be part of the sequel too.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
Bittersweet Symphony is set in a neglected modern office tower in Syracuse. Ruthless and determined CEO Tony Barone, who owns Barone Advertising, wishes to rent out the cheap space on Floor 17 and plots to persuade the office tower's landlord to let him in. Tony's nameless attorney reluctantly threatens to sue the landlord, and Tony is given permission to finally rent. His attorney disapproves, making no effort to conceal this as she informs Tony about the unexplained murders that have occurred in the tower, but it isn't long before Barone Advertising and its staff move in. Right away bad things start to happen, including equipment damage, rotten smells filling the office space, hearing voices and even ghost sightings. Selena, Tony's young daughter, hates the tower but is forced to stay there all day, exploring on her own. It's Selena who usually sees the more disturbing things the tower has to offer.
There's a side plot carefully revealed as Bittersweet Symphony continues, and it's both heart-wrenching and tragic. Tony's attorney, known by Tony and the other staff as just "lawyer" (her real name is Bailey but she doesn't use it anymore), witnessed her boss and close friend fatally injured in a terrorist attack. To make up for this loss, she spends her nights killing criminals under the disguise of Lady Justice, taking on the role of judge, jury and executioner as well as lawyer. Tony has a crush on her, but even though she admits she loves him, she's asexual and Tony's a bit of a player who hires hookers to fill the hole his ex-wife left in her wake. This and another side story of agency secretary Dora, who has been gaining weight and coping with apparent depression since a sexual assault, are probably the saddest and most haunting things in Bittersweet Symphony. The landlord, Thomas Madson, also has a very chilling backstory explored in detail involving some kind of mafia cult.
I don't know what was intended in the writing of this book. I know I loved it, but it's as cryptic as it is scary, and to find any hidden tidbits you have to read deeply. The subject of the September 11 Attacks is handled delicately but also brutally. I don't believe in ghosts, but after reading this book I do believe that friendship is the strongest aphrodisiac we have. True to its name, Bittersweet Symphony concludes with a bittersweet ending and something sad but very special and beautiful.
Favorite scene: the 9/11 smoke monster - it's not clear if lawyer is hallucinating or seeing something real but the description is bone-chilling.
Peeve(s): The ending was upsetting. I couldn't stop crying when the truth of everything was revealed at last. It actually works out in the end somehow though and the sentimentality and angel themes finally end up making sense.
Loose ends: I think there's a planned sequel involving Selena Barone, and the book ended on a note that leaves room for one. I CAN'T WAIT! It also mentions that Bernie and Dora are married and that Dora is expecting a baby. Maybe that will be part of the sequel too.
November 26, 2017
I requested a copy of Bittersweet Symphony from author Rebecca McNutt and she generously provided one.
Bittersweet Symphony is the first example of this authors writing that I have read. I was somewhat concerned because Miss McNutt is considerably younger than me and I wondered if her book would be aimed at my age group. I quickly realized my fears were completely unfounded. Bittersweet Symphony is a story that speaks to anyone who has experienced life at all.
Our author has packed an incredibly rich story in a fairly short framework. The only reason I had to spread my reading over an extended period of time is that (as usual) my ereader ran low on battery power before I could finish (I hate when that happens). The characters are so well developed and engaging (though not necessarily likable) that they could easily inhabit future stories.
How the reader will categorize Bittersweet Symphony will depend more upon the reader, I think, than the story itself. More so than many books I have read, this story lends itself to interpretation influenced by the readers own outlook on life. It is dark, twisted horror, maladjusted human interaction, and yet, redemptive. When you read it you'll see what I mean.
Bittersweet Symphony is, in the beginning at least, a dark and foreboding horror story fueled by the greed of several participants. And spooky it is. A bit reminiscent of Poltergeist. We also see demonstrated some of the darker aspects of human behavior. The characters are at turns, callous, unfeeling, and downright mean spirited. It is easy to dismiss them as poor examples of basic humanity. But as the story unfolds and we see them develop more fully this opinion may change for some.
I really enjoyed Bittersweet Symphony and when I finished, I found myself amazed at how much story was packed into 134 pages. Rebcca McNutt, young though she may be, is a talented storyteller. Enjoy!
Bittersweet Symphony is the first example of this authors writing that I have read. I was somewhat concerned because Miss McNutt is considerably younger than me and I wondered if her book would be aimed at my age group. I quickly realized my fears were completely unfounded. Bittersweet Symphony is a story that speaks to anyone who has experienced life at all.
Our author has packed an incredibly rich story in a fairly short framework. The only reason I had to spread my reading over an extended period of time is that (as usual) my ereader ran low on battery power before I could finish (I hate when that happens). The characters are so well developed and engaging (though not necessarily likable) that they could easily inhabit future stories.
How the reader will categorize Bittersweet Symphony will depend more upon the reader, I think, than the story itself. More so than many books I have read, this story lends itself to interpretation influenced by the readers own outlook on life. It is dark, twisted horror, maladjusted human interaction, and yet, redemptive. When you read it you'll see what I mean.
Bittersweet Symphony is, in the beginning at least, a dark and foreboding horror story fueled by the greed of several participants. And spooky it is. A bit reminiscent of Poltergeist. We also see demonstrated some of the darker aspects of human behavior. The characters are at turns, callous, unfeeling, and downright mean spirited. It is easy to dismiss them as poor examples of basic humanity. But as the story unfolds and we see them develop more fully this opinion may change for some.
I really enjoyed Bittersweet Symphony and when I finished, I found myself amazed at how much story was packed into 134 pages. Rebcca McNutt, young though she may be, is a talented storyteller. Enjoy!
January 10, 2019
A dark and enthralling story! The characters central to the narrative share a couple of fundamental things. They all work for Tony Barone on the 17th floor of a spooky office tower which had a gruesomely dark past and somehow they are all damaged from their own dark pasts.
With a sprinkling of angels, ghosts, tragic events laced with the uneasy shadow of the corporate world this is an impeccably written story by a young author with bags of talent.
December 11, 2017
I won a copy of this book on goodreads in exchange for an honest review. I liked this book, I liked that the characters were all flawed but some how came together as a group of people that genuinely cared about each other. I think I missed the point of the crazy building and what that was suppose to represent but despite that I really enjoyed this book.
July 23, 2018
Thank you , Rebecca , for the copy of your excellent book ! I need a few days to process it all before I write my review . I am looking forward to your future volumes .
Ed
Ed
August 23, 2018
It must be something like this to have a nervous breakdown. We find ourselves inside the world of seven people whose troubled lives are driving them over the edge. This is evident right away. We gather Tony Barone's ruthlessness and promiscuity is just to compensate for an empty and traumatic life, that "Lawyer" is more afraid of the future than she lets on, that Selena is not a normal child. If they had their way, they would all be somebody else, since they're not very fond of themselves.
One of the pioneers in the emerging 9/11 lit subgenre, Bittersweet Symphony is fragments of time, a broken jigsaw puzzle, telling the story of a strange group of corporate moguls affected terribly by violence. It would be upsetting to take the book apart and try to reconnect the pieces in any sort of order to the flashbacks. Tony's lawyer, who literally goes by the pseudonym "Lawyer" since the employees of Barone Advertising have never bothered to learn her proper name, has been so overwhelmed by despair that she has made a conscious effort to cover up her tragic past. She isn't even really there as a person on her own. Her thoughts and actions are occupied by the September 11th Attacks and the murder of her overwhelmingly kind boss, who jumped out the window and killed himself attempting to escape the World Trade Center. Lawyer ended up developing a chronic respiratory illness from inhaling the smoke and dust that day, and her own impending death looms over her for much of the book. Like everything else in her life, she hides it.
That the book works so brilliantly is a result mostly of the flashbacks. We see a morbidly obese woman recovering from sexual assault, a little girl torn both ways by divorce, a grotesque landlord whose rich family indoctrinated him into a cult, a Puerto Rican business executive who misses his daughter and a Jewish computer technician "on hiatus" from his religious faith. Lawyer often seems that she's in a state of shock, and Tony ends up falling in love with her (she's asexual so their lives do clash quite a lot at first). Having no idea about her involvement with 9/11, Tony just simply admits that he doesn't understand her. This group of characters pave the way for a strong story of love, loss and renewal, complete with a bit of humor here and there.
One of the pioneers in the emerging 9/11 lit subgenre, Bittersweet Symphony is fragments of time, a broken jigsaw puzzle, telling the story of a strange group of corporate moguls affected terribly by violence. It would be upsetting to take the book apart and try to reconnect the pieces in any sort of order to the flashbacks. Tony's lawyer, who literally goes by the pseudonym "Lawyer" since the employees of Barone Advertising have never bothered to learn her proper name, has been so overwhelmed by despair that she has made a conscious effort to cover up her tragic past. She isn't even really there as a person on her own. Her thoughts and actions are occupied by the September 11th Attacks and the murder of her overwhelmingly kind boss, who jumped out the window and killed himself attempting to escape the World Trade Center. Lawyer ended up developing a chronic respiratory illness from inhaling the smoke and dust that day, and her own impending death looms over her for much of the book. Like everything else in her life, she hides it.
That the book works so brilliantly is a result mostly of the flashbacks. We see a morbidly obese woman recovering from sexual assault, a little girl torn both ways by divorce, a grotesque landlord whose rich family indoctrinated him into a cult, a Puerto Rican business executive who misses his daughter and a Jewish computer technician "on hiatus" from his religious faith. Lawyer often seems that she's in a state of shock, and Tony ends up falling in love with her (she's asexual so their lives do clash quite a lot at first). Having no idea about her involvement with 9/11, Tony just simply admits that he doesn't understand her. This group of characters pave the way for a strong story of love, loss and renewal, complete with a bit of humor here and there.
March 17, 2018
Different but interesting read as history of building seemed to help these characters look at life in a better light. Good mixture of characters & eerie scenes. Storyline held my attention as background info on characters & dialogue dealing with their present circumstances gave better insight for some of their odd actions. I thought Tony finally made a wise decision. Good read. Thanks to author for providing PDF copy
November 5, 2018
Bittersweet Symphony tells the story of Antonio "Tony" Barone, who is the CEO of a grassroots advertising firm in Syracuse, New York. He is a callous and ambitious man who purposely rents out the 17th floor of a large office building purely for the reason that people were murdered there in the past and it will cost less. He gets his unnamed lawyer, a Wall Street yuppie from Manhattan, to threaten litigation in order to pressure the building's gross and sleazy landlord to let him rent the space. Tony's employees consist of "Lawyer", Dora Johnson (an overweight woman who is traumatized by past sexual abuse), Bernie Goldwater (an edgy computer technician) and Miguel Hernandez (Tony's co-CEO who has an estranged daughter). Tony has his own daughter too. 10 year old Selena Barone is described as a dangerous child who has been suspended from school in the past for biting. Her biological mother, Ramona, is divorced from Tony. "Lawyer" passes for her surrogate mother, often taking time out of her schedule to look after Selena through the day.
Tony's life is at first depicted as ideal: he is a wealthy man who has no shortage of girlfriends. He had an impoverished childhood though. He lived in Chicago in a housing project with a drug-addicted brother. He is obsessed with not allowing Selena to have a bad childhood, but still brings her to the dangerous office building for hours every day because he wants to spend time with her. His employees are all written as badly flawed and troubled people. Dora gets harassed by Bernie in the workplace for her weight. Miguel is dissatisfied with his job and begins to get sick from unexplained rotten smells in the office. "Lawyer" suffers from memories of her past. Her old boss, a very gentle and kind man in an environment which is anything but, was murdered in some undisclosed accident which "Lawyer" refuses to speak of. She is a violent and calculating person who lives a double life, moonlighting as a vigilante. The landlord, Thomas Madson, is a very creepy man whose family owns the building and the land beneath it. There are deeper secrets buried there, and the first murders are just the tip of the iceberg.
This book is marketed as a "gothic postmodern" novel, but reads more like a cross between romance and psychological thriller. It's very upsetting most of the time. The demonic ghosts of terrorists fill vacant apartments. Children have secret powers. Characters drown their sorrows in bullying, alcohol and even suicidal fantasies. The book was written in 2017 and would appear to be a reflection of the haughtiness of corporate America. It's real enough to be scary, but to my surprise the scariest part of the book was not the haunted Madson Tower. Instead, it was the references to one of the worst events to happen to the world in recent history. There are also small but effective references to things such as the tragic death of Disneyland hostess Debbie Stone, the ESL Incorporated Shooting and the Holocaust, connecting the book's most essential tragedy to a larger puzzle of events which have somehow come to define the United States even though these things are not talked about in polite company. This book also features an interracial relationship and an asexual character, which I was not anticipating. I didn't think this would be a diverse book, and I was worried it might turn into a teen's Tumblr blog, but it covered diversity in a respectful way, both inclusive but not intrusive.
Tony's life is at first depicted as ideal: he is a wealthy man who has no shortage of girlfriends. He had an impoverished childhood though. He lived in Chicago in a housing project with a drug-addicted brother. He is obsessed with not allowing Selena to have a bad childhood, but still brings her to the dangerous office building for hours every day because he wants to spend time with her. His employees are all written as badly flawed and troubled people. Dora gets harassed by Bernie in the workplace for her weight. Miguel is dissatisfied with his job and begins to get sick from unexplained rotten smells in the office. "Lawyer" suffers from memories of her past. Her old boss, a very gentle and kind man in an environment which is anything but, was murdered in some undisclosed accident which "Lawyer" refuses to speak of. She is a violent and calculating person who lives a double life, moonlighting as a vigilante. The landlord, Thomas Madson, is a very creepy man whose family owns the building and the land beneath it. There are deeper secrets buried there, and the first murders are just the tip of the iceberg.
This book is marketed as a "gothic postmodern" novel, but reads more like a cross between romance and psychological thriller. It's very upsetting most of the time. The demonic ghosts of terrorists fill vacant apartments. Children have secret powers. Characters drown their sorrows in bullying, alcohol and even suicidal fantasies. The book was written in 2017 and would appear to be a reflection of the haughtiness of corporate America. It's real enough to be scary, but to my surprise the scariest part of the book was not the haunted Madson Tower. Instead, it was the references to one of the worst events to happen to the world in recent history. There are also small but effective references to things such as the tragic death of Disneyland hostess Debbie Stone, the ESL Incorporated Shooting and the Holocaust, connecting the book's most essential tragedy to a larger puzzle of events which have somehow come to define the United States even though these things are not talked about in polite company. This book also features an interracial relationship and an asexual character, which I was not anticipating. I didn't think this would be a diverse book, and I was worried it might turn into a teen's Tumblr blog, but it covered diversity in a respectful way, both inclusive but not intrusive.
June 18, 2018
It is a thriller, which no one can put down unless and until you read all of its pages. I took time and read it carefully. No, I am not going to tell anything about the story, because the blurb and other reviews have already done this job. I'll speak about the story, its pros and cons. The language is good, simple and comprehensive. The plot is excellent and the narration style is superb. It is in the Canadian setting. I learnt a lot about Canada and its culture. Hope to read more such good works from the author in near future.
I liked the book cover too.
I liked the book cover too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews