Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “Millhauser's rich career, still too underappreciated, forms a paean to a romanticism recast for the 20th and 21st centuries. I have been a devoted reader of his works since "Edwin Mullhouse." He is equally adept at the novel and the short story. His short stories, of which this is the latest...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Couldnt get into.. tried but after the 2nd chapter had to give up!” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“This was a book of short stories which I really like to read. But, now, one month after reading it, I have no recollection of what most of the stories were about. But the title one was pretty good, kind of strange, about kids having parties where they just laugh uncontrollably. Its like they get high from the laughter. I wouldn't pay for this book, I borrowed it from the library, but it was ok.”
Juliet P wrote this review Wednesday, November 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Some of these stories were kind of intriguing initially and the characters were interesting, but every story was very over-written. Reading them became a bit tedious. And the meaning and theme of the stories were very nebulous.”
Gene K wrote this review Tuesday, November 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Millhauser's rich career, still too underappreciated, forms a paean to a romanticism recast for the 20th and 21st centuries. I have been a devoted reader of his works since "Edwin Mullhouse." He is equally adept at the novel and the short story. His short stories, of which this is the latest collection, are solidly in the American tradition of Hawthorne, Melville, and Henry James.”
Bob Z wrote this review Friday, July 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A book that could trigger a psychotic break or a nascent imagination to run free. Only a new term, 'millhauseresque', representing existence qualitatively expanded by superior sensation, could encapsulate it. The concepts in these stories are not merely extensions of existing themes, but chasmic leaps. Saying that he is channeling Dr. Leary would be a trivialization, this is much more than an LSD-enhanced experience. Dares you to rethink your reality.”
Stendhal666 wrote this review Saturday, April 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very different, very ethereal collection of short stories”
Mike B wrote this review Friday, April 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Couldnt get into.. tried but after the 2nd chapter had to give up!”
Rose Lealaitafayer wrote this review Saturday, March 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“not good enough. 1970s school of experimental writing that never took off.
Mr. Potatoehead wrote this review Sunday, March 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
On the good side, at its best points was almost as good as JGBallard.
Only made it to story 10 of 13 before tossing it back.”
“OK, I didn't really read this book. I read the first two stories but they were just too weird for me. I guess this style isn't for everyone.”
Linda K wrote this review Sunday, March 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“a clever collection of short stories equal parts twisted and intriguing. excellently written”
Carrie D wrote this review Sunday, February 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Millhauser is one of my favorite authors. I just love the way he writes, and the things he writes about are so odd. He makes you really believe that some of the strangest impossible things can actually exist. Like towers that would take so long to climb that you could never do it in your lifetime. Like domes covering entire houses, then towns. Like a duplicate of a town built as a museum. All of his books are like this, and I've enjoyed them all.”
Cherylanne wrote this review Wednesday, February 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
