From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
*
The Schedule for July through Dec. 2025
By Lynn · 1 post · 43 views
By Lynn · 1 post · 43 views
last updated Jun 20, 2025 08:37AM
In Winter I Get Up at Night by Jane Urquhart Spoilers/Discussion
By Barbara · 13 posts · 18 views
By Barbara · 13 posts · 18 views
last updated Sep 19, 2025 11:35AM
showing 2 of 2 topics
view all »
Other topics mentioning this book
The Schedule -- July - December 2018
By Sherry , Doyenne · 2 posts · 66 views
By Sherry , Doyenne · 2 posts · 66 views
last updated Jun 04, 2018 02:48AM
What I'm Reading - July/August 2018
By Mary Anne · 205 posts · 70 views
last updated Sep 06, 2018 06:55AM
What Members Thought
Took a while to get to this (there may be a sequel at this point?)! Andrew Sean Greer is one of my favorites, and I think I haven’t missed a single of his previous books. This was different, and not really what I expected. Witty and enjoyable, but not his best, if I had to compare to his other books.
I'll say 3.5 stars rounded up. I'm guessing that won't be poplar with my friends who loved it (no, that is not a typo - read the book).
Just the title and therefore, the name of the main character caused me problems. It took a long time before I stopped reading Less as less. And, the use of "Lessian" I kept seeing as lesbian. (I often see a word with a capital O on a page and immediately jump to "Ohio" - where I live.)
I did think Greer's use of language is superb. I felt that both he and I were e ...more
Just the title and therefore, the name of the main character caused me problems. It took a long time before I stopped reading Less as less. And, the use of "Lessian" I kept seeing as lesbian. (I often see a word with a capital O on a page and immediately jump to "Ohio" - where I live.)
I did think Greer's use of language is superb. I felt that both he and I were e ...more
I'm not sure why this was Pulitzer worthy but who am I to judge? I enjoyed this picaresque novel and, since I've traveled to many of the places, it was especially interesting to me for that reason. I probably would not have picked it up but for a book group that I belong to. A worthy read.
...more
3.5 stars
How to start...
I did not dislike this nearly as much as I expected to (I would NEVER have picked it up on my own, based solely on the cover). But I really do not think it deserved the Pulitzer. It's too light and too trying-to-be-funny.
In many ways, this novel reminded me of Where'd You Go, BernadetteWhere'd You Go, Bernadette, which I loved when I read it. I could completely relate to the mom school politics and the crazy PTA moms--so many reviewers said people like that don't exist. Oh yes the ...more
I did not dislike this nearly as much as I expected to (I would NEVER have picked it up on my own, based solely on the cover). But I really do not think it deserved the Pulitzer. It's too light and too trying-to-be-funny.
In many ways, this novel reminded me of Where'd You Go, BernadetteWhere'd You Go, Bernadette, which I loved when I read it. I could completely relate to the mom school politics and the crazy PTA moms--so many reviewers said people like that don't exist. Oh yes the ...more
This novel was excellent. The lead character was very likable though he had flaws which made him interesting. The author told a compelling story that was obviously aimed at an adult audience. He did not talk down to me as a reader nor did he try to overly impress me with his intellect by arcane word usage etc. I enjoyed this book.
I really had trouble liking this book although many did. I found its 'around the world' structure artificial and 'forced' to the point that it distracted from the themes of the book, time, denial, loyalty and love. Arthur Less is a sympathetic enough character, often funny, often interesting, always introspective but at the end of the day, I just couldn't bring myself to like the story.
...more
A funny meditation on aging and looking back on lost loves and friendships. Greer manages to capture emotional insights and observations in an engaging way that leaves you with a smile on your face until the end. Arthur Less is now one of my favorite protagonists and I have been thinking about this novel long after I put it down at the end.
Everyone should run away from their problems with such style and fumbling panache. Plus who doesn't love an adventurous destination celebration for their 50th. An appropriately Odyssean journey focused on mourning and shedding what no longer works as we grow up and returning home to what matters. Makes you appreciate wanting Less at the end.
...more
I had a hard time getting into this, maybe because I was only able to read in very short spans at the beginning. It picked up for me as he travelled, and I was able to read for longer periods. Such characters! And I loved the situations that Less always seemed to stumble into. Very heartwarming.
This was a fun little book with heart.
Apr 16, 2018
Roy
marked it as to-read
Jun 18, 2018
Ken
marked it as abandoned
~3.5
Jun 11, 2021
Katie Kenig
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
general-fiction,
lgbtq
