Looking for entry-level ergodic fiction? Start here.
An allegorical story about a fictional nation where the citizens venerate a man who came up with tLooking for entry-level ergodic fiction? Start here.
An allegorical story about a fictional nation where the citizens venerate a man who came up with the phrase "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog," a phrase utilizing all 26 letters of the alphabet.
The story is a series of letters that chronicle a island community as the use of the letter "Z" is outlawed, soon followed by others, and all the social, political, and literal chaos that ensues.
The reader will encounter archaic words, strange vernacular, and ultimately train their brain to read a new form of phonetic English writing based on the limited lettericon.
These stories are metaphorical extremes of the trials a lot of guys go through when playing the dating game. The thirty or so stories are unique... buThese stories are metaphorical extremes of the trials a lot of guys go through when playing the dating game. The thirty or so stories are unique... but about subjects that are so commonplace they are relatable. The stories are written by an average male, so his stories are biased as such. If you are rich, famous, a model, or a woman, you likely won't find this book as funny. You might instead find it melodramatic or a little pitiful because you've never had these problems in your life; enjoy having and eating your cake.
If you are an average single male who's desperately in search of companionship (see: sex), and have gone through the right of passage of online dating known as being "catfished". Or had a date roll her eyes when she first saw the car you drove or watch you wore. Or been dumped for inexplicable reasons for somebody as bad as Hilter and don't understand why... you'll likely relate to this book. It's not all sad stories twisted to be funny; some are just sad, some are just funny, and some are just twisted. It's a fun book, making light of a subject that needs more humor in it. This book reminds its readers how absurd the things we take seriously really can be....more
It's short story, so here's a short review: It's good; great, if you like any of Chuck's work. It's short story, so here's a short review: It's good; great, if you like any of Chuck's work. ...more
Almost all the stories are good, if not great (okay some of them are just poems or thoughts. Good ones though). Regardless, at least one of these storAlmost all the stories are good, if not great (okay some of them are just poems or thoughts. Good ones though). Regardless, at least one of these stories will resonate with you; with so many (sixty or so), I'm sure a statistical principle exist that one of them is bound to hit home for you.
As soon as it does... you'll feel that this set of short stories went from being "funny casual reading", to "a beautiful work of genius". And if you are a careful reader, you'll find the "Easter eggs" in these stories which serve to make this compilationof independent stories, just a little less independent.
Novak doesn't have a writing style, he has writing styles. And he has mastered them all....more
Usually I am pose, composed, and objective when reviewing a book; the demeanor that the hundreds that read my reviews expect. BUT I CANNOT DO THAT FORUsually I am pose, composed, and objective when reviewing a book; the demeanor that the hundreds that read my reviews expect. BUT I CANNOT DO THAT FOR THIS REVIEW! This book kicks so much ass, I devoured it in three days - like a rabid addict I was either consuming its content or salivated at the next opportunity to do so. This book was written for me, the dude who was socially awkward in adolescence and retreated to the unjudging solace of his mind to escape reality. Programming code, watching cartoons, reading sci-fi novels, playing DOS games, or enjoying cult media... these were all forms of escape, and this books pays tribute to them all+. If you were anything like me growing up, or enjoy playing MMORPGs I think you will relate with a lot in this book. If you were one of the cool kids growing up, there is a lot you won't understand in this book (it is extremely esoteric), BUT it is still an excellent piece of experimental fiction and does a great job merging the genres of love, mystery, fantasy, sci-fi and auto-biograpy together. READ THIS BOOK. Then write a great review for it and never say any thing negative about it. EVER!...more
I enjoy writing letters to people, it's a very intimate form of communication and adds a dimension of tone to writing that isn't possible electronicalI enjoy writing letters to people, it's a very intimate form of communication and adds a dimension of tone to writing that isn't possible electronically. The book follows Charlie via letters he writes to an unidentified person, chronicling his first year of high school. While you are reading these letters, you get the feeling you were meant to read them; Charlie is writing to you. It was difficult for me to put this book down, I had to forceable stop myself from reading so I could "participate" in the real world. It's an emotional book, and often painful to read. At times the book made me laugh, sometimes it brought me to tears, and other times I gasped in shock. It's written in a very easy style, and not hard to read at all. Anyone who is an avid reader or 80's/90's music junkie will find a plethora of reference to things they may have enjoyed. Charlie often talks about the books he is reading, a lot of them being book I have read myself, I only get even more engrossed in his letters when he discusses what he thinks about them (all of them are excellent books, I'm planning on reading the books he talks about that I have not read yet). Acts of abuse (physical, verbal, and sexual) are constantly in the letters; Charlie's mental health is a big part of the book as well. Drug abuse, suicide, and rejection, also have leading roles in Charlie's life. Charlie's definition of true or real love changes over the span of the letters, and the final conclusion he comes up with is beautiful and synonymous to mine. This is a wonderful book, it takes all these sad, scary, and painful things and turns out a beautiful story. Read it. ...more
As a straight male, I hesitate to use the word "delightful", but that's the best adjective for this play. No need for a long review, the script is shoAs a straight male, I hesitate to use the word "delightful", but that's the best adjective for this play. No need for a long review, the script is short, three acts, and hilarious. The protagonists are forerunners to today's Bill and Ted or Harold and Kumar, except they are both refined gentlemen. Amazed that the same person who wrote the very sinister (but entertaining) The Picture of Dorian Gray, wrote this comedy. ...more
This is a pseudo auto-biography of the author, Dave Eggers. I say "pseudo" because it's technically a work of fiction, as the author admits to conglomThis is a pseudo auto-biography of the author, Dave Eggers. I say "pseudo" because it's technically a work of fiction, as the author admits to conglomerating or altering certain events in his life to make them work better for presentation in a novel (but most of it is true). The author has had an extremely chaotic and tragic life, so the normal flow of intro, conflict, and resolution does not happen; it's conflict almost the entire time. The writing is witty, comical, and sharp. The author is an unapologetic narcissist, but he knows it too, which strangely enough makes it so it's not annoying. I really wanted to hate this book, but I couldn't. Read the preface after the main novel, it just works. ...more
If you like zombie books, read this. If you have yet to read a zombie book, start here. Well written account of a fictional apocalypse through variousIf you like zombie books, read this. If you have yet to read a zombie book, start here. Well written account of a fictional apocalypse through various writing styles. ...more