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What Members Thought
I know I'm in the distinct minority, here, but I sincerely disliked this book. I went in expecting satire and fun, but the format -- and, really, the characters and the plot -- killed it.
It's a send-up of Microsoft and Seattle and material culture, and the story hinges on a girl whose mother disappears. Most of the story is told through Bee's investigation of her mother's disappearance -- which, in this case, meant it's written in one of my least favorite ways: strung-together emails and bills a ...more
It's a send-up of Microsoft and Seattle and material culture, and the story hinges on a girl whose mother disappears. Most of the story is told through Bee's investigation of her mother's disappearance -- which, in this case, meant it's written in one of my least favorite ways: strung-together emails and bills a ...more
One Fun Read.....
Why's that?
Maybe it is because:
*I have a fascination with cold places
*I love books that use various forms of correspondence
* I dig a spunky female narrator
* I love berries and blackberries play a role in this work, you'll just have to read it to find out.
* I like being able to laugh at the absurdity of society and this book gave me ample fodder for this. Granted, I almost fell off the elliptical and was attracting the odd reactions from my fellow gym goers on one occasion. So s ...more
Why's that?
Maybe it is because:
*I have a fascination with cold places
*I love books that use various forms of correspondence
* I dig a spunky female narrator
* I love berries and blackberries play a role in this work, you'll just have to read it to find out.
* I like being able to laugh at the absurdity of society and this book gave me ample fodder for this. Granted, I almost fell off the elliptical and was attracting the odd reactions from my fellow gym goers on one occasion. So s ...more
Well. Enjoy flying through this guy anyway.
"The brain is a diminishing machine."
Also so many brand name drops they are rendered meaningless, so this is a great reference for your graduate semiotics thesis. The structure at the top is delightful. This is beachy-read-y for a brain-ball and very enjoyable. I felt like I was listening to "O Holy Night" right along with her and/or visiting Antarcitica.
I read the acknowledgements and had confusing feelings because she thanked Mia Farrow? Semiotics. ...more
"The brain is a diminishing machine."
Also so many brand name drops they are rendered meaningless, so this is a great reference for your graduate semiotics thesis. The structure at the top is delightful. This is beachy-read-y for a brain-ball and very enjoyable. I felt like I was listening to "O Holy Night" right along with her and/or visiting Antarcitica.
I read the acknowledgements and had confusing feelings because she thanked Mia Farrow? Semiotics. ...more
The best way I can I describe this is book is compulsively readable. I really enjoyed the format of the first 3/4 of the book: emails, faxes, notes, etc compiled by the daughter interspersed with her commentary here and there. I was a bit disappointed when the final third that broke away from that a bit towards a more traditional storytelling, but I couldn't justify giving a book that I liked so much I finished it in 3 days anything less than a 4 star review.
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I thought this was really cute. Easily readable and it kept me guessing. People from Seattle may not like some of the negative seattle comments but I thought it was funny.
I agree with those who called this a "cerebral beach read." I like the way you got an idea of the people involved by various emails and police reports. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did.
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Will my friends still talk to me if I call this a cross between Gone Girl and Eat, Pray, Love?
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Sharp and funny satire that was a really fast-paced read. I got a little tired of the mystery in the last third, but the format was fun and I had a good time with this one.
Oct 27, 2013
Lori
added it
