Forrest S. (notgump) reviewed on 6/25/2012 + 8 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

I usually understand what is good about a book, even if it's not to my taste. Amy Hempel baffles me and I am sure it is I who am lacking as a critic, not the literary types who love this stuff. Even Chuck Palahniuk, one of my favorites, loves it (unless he is pulling our legs, and I don't think he is). Having said that, my main problem is what I see as self-conscious writing style. For me it gets in the way of whatever else there may be to enjoy. The fact that a lot of the stories neither seem to go anywhere, nor hint at any meaning beyond the obvious, bothers me too. Oh, yeah, I also found this distracting: It seems like she must keep a notebook of one-liners (some of them ancient) and works them into the flow in just the cutest way. It's me, I know.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details