Beach Reads: Less, by Andrew Sean Greer, 3.5-4 stars

[NancyJ]

This is one of those books that can be read like a beach read or a literary novel, depending on your interest and attention level. Gay author Arthur Less decides to take a trip around the world in order to avoid the wedding of his ex-lover Freddie. He sets up different activities in each city (such as a conference, teaching a course, a desert trip complete with camels, and a writer's retreat), and each chapter has a different feel. I found most of the locations/activities interesting. I liked the romance and bittersweet memories of former lovers, and the humor in the book. The themes in the story were reflected by the themes in the book that he is attempting to re-write. He is at times bumbling and ridiculous, and he's anxious about turning 50, but he is also a romantic figure. This book read a little like a short story collection for me. Some chapters were fabulous, and some barely sunk in - but that was probably a function of my own fatigue and attention. I had a sense that there was a lot of symbolism in the book, not that I caught it all. I think writers would especially appreciate this book.

My favorite chapters were Germany (the funniest), Paris (the most romantic) and Morocco (the most interesting tourist activities).

Fly the Skies Bonus: I traveled to Paris in real life.

[Amy]

I was an outlier on this one. I didn’t care for it. But as you would see if you ever saw my review, I was also turning 50 at the same time as I read it. And I took umbrage. Lol!

[Joy D]

I liked it a lot. Glad you enjoyed it too, Nancy!

I didn't think about the 50th at all when I read it, but I can see what you mean, Amy.

[NancyJ]

Amy wrote: "I was an outlier on this one. I didn’t care for it. But as you would see if you ever saw my review, I was also turning 50 at the same time as I read it. And I took umbrage. Lol!"

Amy, 50 is a pretty good age, don't you think? Many people told Arthur that readers couldn't sympathize with a sad white man, even if he is gay. I had a hard time relating to the character sometimes too. I couldn't feel too sorry for him because his life looked pretty interesting to me, and he didn't have to be alone if he didn't want to be. If I were him, I wouldn't have found it so easy to walk away from the romantic age appropriate man in Paris. But that's just me.

[Amy]

I just felt I was really embracing that time with joy, and I felt his bitterness and making it such a thing felt appalling to me. We have choice of how to walk through the world, and I felt the character was so disagreeable to my way of thinking, living, and being. Not bad now, for 52.5. Still living the life. Could stand to lose a few, but that was the forties too...

[Jen]

Amy wrote: "I just felt I was really embracing that time with joy, and I felt his bitterness and making it such a thing felt appalling to me. We have choice of how to walk through the world, and I felt the cha..."

just fought my way through this one....You were all kinder than me. I gave it 2 stars; one for being well written and 1 for the once it made me laugh (his attempts at German and thinking he was fluent, my Dad did the same with French, painful).

NancyJ if I could find an age appropriate man with teeth and a beer-gut small enough to put his own shoes on I'd be there like a shot.....high standards over here!

[Book Concierge]

Jen wrote: "[I]f I could find an age appropriate man with teeth and a beer-gut small enough to put his own shoes on I'd be there like a shot.....high standards over here ..."

LOL with a loud guffaw!