I loved this book so so much. Deeply researched, and so beautifully contextualized through memory and the inheritance of general guilt and trauma. I’vI loved this book so so much. Deeply researched, and so beautifully contextualized through memory and the inheritance of general guilt and trauma. I’ve read a lot of books this year about fascism, and this era of history, but this one ranks near the top. So so good....more
This book is absolutely staggering. To be clear, I don’t like true crime and rarely read books like this one, but the research, voice, and argument isThis book is absolutely staggering. To be clear, I don’t like true crime and rarely read books like this one, but the research, voice, and argument is so literary and tight I devoured it. This is a must read, and vitally important as our current Fascist defunds all the agencies that have recently protected us from the sorts of chemical emissions she argues created an era of serial violence. So fucking good.
Porter is one of the finest living short story writers, and this early collection is proof. I’ve devoured everything he’s written this year, and I jusPorter is one of the finest living short story writers, and this early collection is proof. I’ve devoured everything he’s written this year, and I just can’t get enough. A throwback to writers like Richard Yates, a return to domestic fiction in all its glory. So so so good....more
I didn’t hate this book, nor did I enjoy reading it. I love her mentors, George Saunders and Dana Spiotta, and see a bit of both in her writing. I fouI didn’t hate this book, nor did I enjoy reading it. I love her mentors, George Saunders and Dana Spiotta, and see a bit of both in her writing. I found myself drifting off, wishing to be done, wondering if this would’ve been a much better long short story.
A post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS-era Gatsby-inspired novel about New York’s gay scene in the disco ‘70s. Beautifully written, a funky glimpse into a very spA post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS-era Gatsby-inspired novel about New York’s gay scene in the disco ‘70s. Beautifully written, a funky glimpse into a very specific time and place.
This is a well-researched reporting on the infuriating “Christian” takeover of public education—all in the name of perpetuating white supremacy. We arThis is a well-researched reporting on the infuriating “Christian” takeover of public education—all in the name of perpetuating white supremacy. We are losing the culture wars, and this book paints a way forward for how we reclaim progress.
This is quite a complex, layered book with extremely well-developed characters and provocative themes. I love the ambition here, and I’m always drawn This is quite a complex, layered book with extremely well-developed characters and provocative themes. I love the ambition here, and I’m always drawn to books about musicians. I don’t know why it felt like such a slog, but there’s something about the prose that dragged me down and shifted my focus too often. I’d love to hear how others feel about it.
A friend told me to read this book on a long flight, and, since I’m crazy and she’s crazy I did exactly that. It’s bonkers, all of it, and I sort of lA friend told me to read this book on a long flight, and, since I’m crazy and she’s crazy I did exactly that. It’s bonkers, all of it, and I sort of loved it and was like “whaaatttt is happening” half the time. But it’s worth it, even though I’m left wondering what I just read. The longest short story ever written.
I’m a sucker for a summer camp story, and I wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t get past the narrative coldness—and authorial intervention througI’m a sucker for a summer camp story, and I wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t get past the narrative coldness—and authorial intervention through withheld information. All the ingredients are here, but it just didn’t work for me. I’ll give it three stars because it’s nice to see a literary(ish) genre story.
This is an immensely powerful and essential book, infuriating and heartbreaking, written with an insight and empathy that deserves every major literarThis is an immensely powerful and essential book, infuriating and heartbreaking, written with an insight and empathy that deserves every major literary award. Most importantly, this book reveals failing systems, systemic inequalities, and a general lack of public awareness. If there’s any justice in the world, this will open the eyes of those most in power to change how we treat low-income workers.
What a great book, written during the first Trump term and even more powerful now during a far more dangerous second term. An honest celebration of quWhat a great book, written during the first Trump term and even more powerful now during a far more dangerous second term. An honest celebration of queer life in the sorts of states those of us on the coasts fail to understand. Even though I grew up in one of those (now deeply) Red States, I still so often miss the point that those who live there fight so much harder than we do because they have everything to lose.
I appreciate the ambition, and timing, of this book—particularly set against Trump’s deportation crimes. Though a satire, Nguyen’s points are rooted iI appreciate the ambition, and timing, of this book—particularly set against Trump’s deportation crimes. Though a satire, Nguyen’s points are rooted in reality, and history, but perhaps takes on too many themes and characters, resulting in an uneven yet mostly satisfying read.
A compliment for any book revolves around the question: Will I keep thinking about this story after I’ve finished? And I will. I’ve no doubt about that. So flaws aside, the book accomplished what it set out to do.
This is an odd, excessively clever and frustrating book. The meta plot juxtaposed with the grief-struck realism will appeal to many readers, though foThis is an odd, excessively clever and frustrating book. The meta plot juxtaposed with the grief-struck realism will appeal to many readers, though for me it distracted more often than I would’ve liked. It’s a solid read, though.
This is an extraordinary novel, rooted in horror and history—exceptionally well-researched, with slightly fictionalized timelines and characters. I’veThis is an extraordinary novel, rooted in horror and history—exceptionally well-researched, with slightly fictionalized timelines and characters. I’ve read a lot of literature about Nazi Germany, but none from a queer lens. As a result, I don’t believe I’ve read a book that made me cry as often as this one did.
I hope this book finds an audience, wins awards, and serves as a document of courage and resilience. ...more
This is just an exceptional collection. Every single story is great, and thematically connected. Porter is one of our finest writers, and deserves a lThis is just an exceptional collection. Every single story is great, and thematically connected. Porter is one of our finest writers, and deserves a larger audience. ...more