Sharp, Biting, Dark, (sometimes) Funny -  A Worthwhile Read
586990
As I write this, the bad reviews for The Casual Vacancy outnumber the good reviews.  That's too bad, because this is a well written book, one that is certainly worth reading.

If The Casual Vacancy was from an unknown author, I think it would receive high praise from critics and the general public.  The problem is, it has J.K. Rowling's name on it.

I believe that many people bought The Casual Vacancy with a pre-conceived notion of what it was and what they wanted it to be, then were disappointed when it was not at all what they had expected (or hoped for, or thought it ought to have been).

 This is not Harry Potter.  This is not a book that will leave you feeling uplifted and full of wonder.  This is a dark, gloomy story that pits the haves against the have-nots.  It has a deeply emotional storyline that takes you to a place that's akin a raw, open sore.  Rape, drug use, poverty, mental illness, and death are central themes.  People in the book say bad words; they do bad things; they'll make you cringe and shake your head is disbelief of what they've done (and what is done to them).  The text, and the character development, can be very depressing (though it's expertly interspersed with Rowling's sharp, biting humor.)  I found it put me into a bad mood during the three days I was reading it; this is a book that you wouldn't want to take to the beach on vacation.  I really can't imagine how Ms. Rowling dealt with revisiting these characters, day after day, during the time she was writing this book.

There really is no one single plot, but a series of many little stories that gradually evolve into one; it is, at its core, a character study.  What appears to be the driving focus of the book, at least at the start, is the drive to find a replacement for the late Barry Fairbrother's seat on the Parrish council - the "casual vacancy" of the title.  This eventually plays out, but it's really not that big a moment in the whole scheme of things.

 Admittedly, the first half of the book - especially the first 100 pages - was slow-moving; Rowling takes her time to develop each and every character, and there are an awful lot of them (so many, in fact, that I had a difficult time keeping them separate at first).  But the second half really picked up, and the ending (some reviewers said they saw it coming - I didn't) was shocking and brutal.

Why should you read The Casual Vacancy, then, if it's so depressingly dark?  Because Rowling has created a fascinating world, one that features expertly-crafted fictional characters inserted into all-too-real situations.  There are no simple spells to make their problems go away; this is real life, raw and emotional.  If you're looking for a Potter-esque fantasy, look somewhere else (have you read Ready Player One?  It's a great read).  However, it you're looking for an intriguing, gritty look at class warfare and the problems of modern society, by all means buy a copy.
3032818
When Alex Lyons said she wanted to be a writer, Chick Habit wasn't exactly what she had in mind. Sure, it's fairly simple: find a topic, write a scathing and bitchy piece pertaining to said topic, then sit back and let the hits begin. But Alex doesn't necessarily like being known as a bitch. In fact, for each mean post she generates, she worries herself sick. And when a new hate blog aimed right at Chick Habit appears, Alex becomes a bit obsessed over who could be behind it. The added stress of continued demand for increasingly popular pieces is also weighing heavy on Alex. Then she gets a scoop on a huge story: the daughter of a would-be politician and self-proclaimed perfect mommy is caught snorting coke online.

Jessica Grose's debut is pretty darn hilarious. Snarky humor and sarcasm rage throughout the book. But it's also the kind of humor that makes you feel a little guilty. From the get go, Alex second guesses just about every mean thing she posts. Then when someone starts to strike back, she becomes even more guilt ridden about her job. That underlying layer of Alex's guilt seeps through giving the book more substance.

SAD DESK SALAD is still a pretty light read and not a stand out in terms of originality - the whole journalist gets a conscience bit reminded me a little of Catherine McKenzie's SPIN, though both books are ultimately very different. Alex's online job is what makes this one a bit unique as it provides a great behind-the-scenes look at blogging and online writing, something Grose is very familiar with herself. I have to admit that I'm not opposed to a rehashing of that sort of storyline either. In fact, I didn't mind one bit. Grose's writing is snappy, I liked Alex, and I liked her story. I would have burned her muumuu for her if I was her friend, though!
3854747
I'd forgotten how funny these books are.  Just the rundown of the girls working for Sonchai and his mom is worth the price. And the great east/west comparison, talking about how murder is normal, but dissecting the act of, say, flaying, psychologically, as only being capable of coming from a Western mind. Morbid, dark, and hilarious.
The trouble with a sequel, especially a sequel to this book is maintaining great things from the first that people would then come to expect.  So, the humor--check!  I did hope there would be more revelations of self, but, so many of the characters were repeats, that you can't ask for everything.
I hope that these books don't misrepresent a slice of Thai culture, but I really enjoy how it is all presented.  John Burdett again lays it all out without preamble, letting things simply transpire, and doesn't forcefeed you any leads, red herring or hooks.  You are left to simply enjoy the story instead of putting down the book, thinking too hard, and going back to pages to hunt and peck for the most recent clue.  To me a mystery novel is that--a novel to be read, and not a 300-page word search looking for the answers before the end.  That's what a re-read is for.
It's easy, as an American, to accept the original reason behind the murder at the center of the book, but, towards the end, when it is revealed why the man was murdered , and the "matter-of-fact"ness of it, is something more tragic and petty than even the most paranoid FARANG mind can conjure.
When all is revealed, the importance of, not good evil, but balance and karma is again emphasized as in the first book, and the plot is satisfyingly concluded.  My biggest criticism is that, someone, the voice of this novel wasn't the same fun-loving and spiritual tone as the first book.  This one was more bitter, cynical, and critical of others, in comparison to Sonchai's former acceptance. His keen analysis turned more into judgments, and, while a good book in and of itself, will leave readers wondering what happened in between one and two.
3103747
Don't read this book in the company of other people. The first few times you burst into laughter, they may smile up at you with an inquisitive look, hoping to hear a short excerpt that gives them cause to do a bit of giggling themselves. The fiftieth time you do so is more likely to result in their carving out your tongue with the nearest sharp object. Fortunately, I was reading this at an airport, where every sharp object larger than a thumbtack had been scrupulously removed by the security personnel on the way in. If you enjoy humor that is as darkly twisted as it is sharp-witted, your sides are guaranteed to be hurting after the first chapter.
3214646
Dear Lord this is one of those darkly humorous stories that will have the readers snorting to themselves. If you have a funny bone that runs slightly toward snark, then YOU is a definite reeve your motor. The writing is fresh and the tempo is staccato. The only snip is the constant references to Stephen King. Yeah so they're both in the same publishing house, but really. Is the meta data that important? Ummm, probably.
Anyway, it's a tickler for those readers who like their thrillers slightly out-of-focus and categorically snicker-worthy.
2216297
Matthew Benoit's style has been compared to that of absurdist humour masters like Woody Allen or Monty Python. If you moderate that a bit but in return add a pinch of a writing genius of a totally different kind, Bret Easton Ellis, you are getting closer to see what Benoit's debut novel 'Whackers' is all about. Oh, but hold on - it's not the violence and the emotional senselessness you have to add from Ellis. It's the directness and the honesty. That's what's carrying the whole thing, in Benoit's own, at first sight just humouristic, at second actually rather satirical style.

For 'Whackers' is about basic human instincts. That's when you scratch slightly into its surface. Yes, it's about sex and that constant and exhausting hunt for love, illusoric anyway, and surrounded by hardly tangible emotions. The novel's universe is inhabited by testosterone-infected males, one more flawful than the other, except for the main male character who in his frustration with the other sex, or mainly himself and his lack of achievement and even less of perspective, creates a new and even more sad illusion to keep sex, and potential love, at distance.

The hardest hardball of the characters, however, is a woman. Going from relationship to relationship, each of them more parodic only in different ways, her actually rather simple personality is 'Whackers'' carrying figure and Benoit's most daring character. Daring, because this short-tempered direct-to-the-point girl - propping up her lack of deeper sense with stupid men including sex on first dates and counter-'68-generation female dominance - ...is described by a male author. A great comment on the subculture derived by Sex And The City.

A straight-forward book in nice contrast to the pretentious ones that tend to overkill us in recent decades, this may not reach the levels of Allen's intellectual irony, Python's absurd humour or Ellis' explicit psychological playfulness. But that might be its best feature, as it does not pretend to do so either. It lives its own life, takes you on a quick little journey into a world far from the fewest of us.

'Whackers' is an easy read. It's a fun read. For some, it might be a very provocative read. But again, Matthew Benoit is just being direct and honest, playing on what we actually are, sorry little pseudo affection-addicted humans that we are. And he does so without seeking detours or deeper philosophical layers or, most refreshingly of all, higher literature. He just writes, and does it well. Buy it, read it, have a laugh. 'Whackers' will surprise you.
1670745
Killer Conversations is a study in opposites. Definitely dark, but with a few funny moments, this novel is deeply compassionate in unexpected ways. It asks a lot of questions, but gives a few concrete answers.

The loose structure occasionally caused me some confusion along the way, but I enjoyed the book nonetheless. This fast-moving thriller was a surprisingly quick read.
802634
Born in 1960, Yasmina Reza is perhaps best known for her wickedly funny ART, a satire on the intellectual pretensions of both the art world and its detractors. Produced in New York in 2009, GOD OF CARNAGE is similar in that raises the question of how civilized we supposedly civilized westerners are and then bites the head off every possible response. It is sharp and clever and interesting stuff. It is also, at least in my opinion, in the theatrical minor leagues--not because of the author's skill, but because of the short span of time she allows herself in which to set up the premise, develop the characters, and send them flying at each other.

The play concerns two married couples. Alan and Annette are well-to-do, upper-middle-class rather than rich, with Alan owning and managing a home supply-type store. Michael and Veronica are flatly rich, Michael an attorney who represents drug manufacturers and Vernonica a self-styled author who works part time in a specialty book store. They might easily have met at a cocktail party, or a book signing, or a similar venue, but it is their sons who have bought them together. Both are boys, both are about eleven years old, and they recently had a playground scuffle in which Alan and Annette's son took a stick and hit Michael and Veronica's son across the face, with a cut lip and two broken teeth the result.

The two couples have met at Michael and Veronica's home to discuss what should be done. Both Alan and Annette feel their son should take responsibility for his act; Michael and Veronica are slightly more diffident, but they too feel the boys should meet and an apology should be given. Everything is very friendly, all four give the impression of head-shaking bemusement, and within minutes the covert stabs begin. At first these center on the children and the degree of guilt involved, but with a little alcohol, and one too many interruptions from Michael's cell phone, and the discovery that Veronica recently released her daughter's hamster to a certain death, all hell breaks loose.

At first it seems the couples will unite against each other, but in short order the alliances begin to shift back and forth. It becomes apparent that neither marriage is particularly happy. After a certain point, it transpires that Alan and Veronica have background on Africa--Alan, who has been there and see it for himself, Veronica, who has studied it extensively for a book project. Suddenly the battle transforms from "whose child" to "whose civilization," and the play cumulates in a riot of accusations and tulip tossing.

If this sounds good--it is, but the trouble with it is that it has a run time of ninety minutes. It is rather difficult to accept the notion that these four people could manage to make such a rapid leap from cheerful and friendly to drunken and vicious within the first half hour of the play, still more difficult to accept that they could become so barbed without Alan and Annette simply solving the problem by walking out. But what most hurts the play is the fact that Reza crams too much into her self-imposed time. As one issue gives way to another, we simply don't have the time to see, to understand, and the resulting play feels as superficially intellectual as her own characters. It is a pity.

Gary Taylor
In Memory of Roscoe
Faithful Companion, 1999-2011
2676100
I greatly enjoyed this book, avidly turning the pages to see what would happen next as it hurtled towards its not-happy but smart and true-to-life ending.  Although much of the author's behavior is not what genteel society would call, er, edifying, the self-awareness with which it is described (particularly from a psychoanalytical point of view, e.g., pleasing the father, narcissism, emotional insecurity, etc.) exposes human drives that many share but most bury under layers of good manners and that indefatigable will to please.  Hayt is unsparing towards herself, almost self-destructive in her candor, and we are the beneficiaries.  She also has a natural way with words, and linguistic gems lie everywhere, often adorning less than pretty entanglements.  But even when things are their worst, her delicious sense of humor lightens her experiences, which are those of someone who has gone out on a limb, often and dangerously, while yearning for shelter.  Yes, a tale of ambiguity, playing everywhere.
4925329
Most people don't want to admit it, but this book describes the typical family almost perfectly: aging parents who don't quite know each other anymore, siblings separated by more than distance, and a busy world full of sex, the internet, and dreaded trips home for Christmas.
From what I've read, this book is a semi-autobiographical depiction of author Jonathon Franzen's life growing up in the midwest. He has a meddling mother, a father succombing to Alzheimer's, and siblings he doesn't quite know or identify with.
I recommend this book because of it's sharp and witty writing, and it's biting commentary on life. The book tends to drag a bit in the middle as it follows his father around as he starts to feel the oncomings of dementia, but other than that, the book reads very well and is both entertaining (i caught myself laughing outloud on more than occassion) and very sad.
Don't let the fact that this was Franzen's dissing of Oprah's book club scare you away. This is a very good book.
427471
Having read about a dozen of the Konrath/Kilborn catalog, I have learned a few things. One, he has a wild imagination, and has no problems coming up ways to shock the reader. Two, he possesses a sense of humor that is definitely not everybody's cup of tea. It's certainly an acquired taste, and it's anything but mainstream. So it probably reveals more about myself in that I appreciate his humor, and as dark and satirical as it may be, nonetheless I like it. There is plenty of that odd, dark humor in most of these stories, even the ones that lack much of a plot. Overall, this collection is uneven and certainly not his most prolific work, and in his prefaces for each story he virtually admits that some of these will never be considered classics. Although there are some gems here, I wouldn't suggest this book for one's first foray into this author's work. IMO, this collection is more suited for his most ardent fans, those who are familiar with his style. FWIW, my favorites are The Archaeologist's Story, Light Drizzle, A Fistful of Cozy, and Urgent Reply Needed.
3656199
I couldn't honestly pass this one up seeing it displayed proudly at the local book store. I've seen some of his work online before, but there is something to be said about reading it on the printed page and enjoying the flow of the stories.

Some of this stuff is really dark, but the fun comes from discovering how you can enjoy something kind of sick. The lighter stories were also nice if not filled with a lot of slut shaming. If you don't have hang-ups about that then you'll definitely enjoy this book. I'm not really into BDSM, but I think any gay guy could appreciate a good power struggle. The little snippets from the author at the end of each story help to remind you how much thought was put into these short stories and are a nice touch.

I hope more of this type of stuff gets released. It's fun to experience some explicitly sexual manga aimed at gay men after seeing what the straight boys have been getting for years. Enjoy!
3891612
In a style distinctly her own, Smith tells her story through scenes, shifting between several points of views before tying the incidents together neatly by connecting the seemingly isolated dots. In this case, upwards of eight characters are involved in a story that centers not only on a missing man, but also upon animal rights, environmentalism, the definition of emotions, and attempted communication with aliens. As with&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Alison-Wonderland/dp/B003AQBBZY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Alison Wonderland</a>, she maintains that tongue-in-cheek tone that lends dry humor to the nonsensical musings and actions of the players in this existentialist-style performance.

With the initial take-off of the man in the inflatable house, the basis for the title seemed quite clear. In the end, however, it turns out that "being light" means much more than flying away in a child's playground; rather, it involves the struggle to let go faced by each of the characters in their various situations. The depth of the application is a stronger means of drawing together these seemingly unconnected people than the physical links of blood or employment or sex. In short, this philosophical bent allows this complex comedy to work, though I was still tempted at times to start diagramming the cast in order to remember who each member was.

In spite of its status as a sequel, Being Light does not draw too heavily from its predecessor, focusing instead on the story at hand. The small references did make me smile, but on the whole, I enjoyed the fact that the novel was self-contained, as it allowed for a rich literary experience without having to go back over all that happened in a previous work. The climax, or finale, rather, left me feeling much as I did after a recent viewing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail: amused, bemused, and a trifle curious because of its open-ended nature.

Overall, Smith shows a comfortable command of language, adjusting the pacing of her paragraphs with ease. The verbiage is complex without being overbearing, the dialogue witty despite a propensity towards absurdity. There were a handful of instances where a semicolon would have been more appropriate than the comma that was actually used, however, and there were several lines where it was difficult to tell what exactly the speaker was getting at. Then again, perhaps this is more of a testament to my own inattention or inability to follow the thoughts of people who are quite a ways off from the beaten path.

This book may be inappropriate for those who prefer a steady stream of action from a single point of view. There, I said it. For those who enjoy stretching their minds a bit further and piecing complex story arcs together, however, Being Light promises a pleasurable romp through the darkly humorous dealings of Smith's creations.

Stimulated Outlet Book Reviews
182225
William Boxs Cook-Read-Digest is a rather enjoyable trio of short stories that fall somewhere between comedy and bizarro fiction. We start with a tale about a waiter and a chef, the waiter a tad inept and perhaps too literal in his performance, the chef a tad too meticulous in his approach to taking a tomato off a burger. We then move on to what I believe to be the stronger story of the three, perhaps the roast beef between the two fine slices of focaccia. This tale deals with a mannequin with a fetish for womens ankles and lack of complacency for his station in lifeperhaps a touch of paranoid schizophrenia to boot. And finally, the second slice of focaccia is a humorous tale about a picnic threesome and an ant with some severe identity issues.

What the three store have in common is the authors masterful ability to not over-tell a story. While descriptions are vivid and dialogue is thorough, its the underlying themes and messages that are not overexposed here. I find too many authors leave little to the imagination, but Box speaks just enough of his mind to make the reader think, in my opinion the best way to tell a story. This is not an easy thing for a writer to do, and is a valuable talent that I believe will help William Box etch out a name for himself in the bizarro fiction community.

I give Cook-Read-Digest a four out of five possible stars.
2723375
WELL-WRITTEN, QUITE FUNNY IN PLACES, BUT PERHAPS A LITTLE TOO SEF-ABSORBED
4818712
This witty look at the unReality Show and its stars faked lives reminds me of a Coen Brothers film noir comedy, Blood Simple, in which the shadowy characters stay disconnected and everything falls apart. It shares the same tone of dry, literary humor; it's raw and it's an audience pleaser. I also heard a Raymond Chandler/ Robert B. Parker tone (poet/thug), which I find an interestingly edgy combination. The guy mixes salty language with a lot of ten dollar words.

The violence here is mostly of the emotional variety: scamming, betrayal, narcissism, alcoholic behavior, manipulation, control, and from the accounts in the book, questions of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation could be raised. The eight kids involved are clearly being robbed of their childhood, privacy, dignity and more. Did they choose to be filmed during potty training?

Authors Al Walentis and Polly Kahl interviewed child actor advocate Paul Peterson (of the Donna Reed Show), whose perspective adds even more gravitas to the already compelling concerns about the welfare of the children, as well as family members, former friends and professionals who have observed Kate's disturbing lack of "graciousness," among other signs of basic humanity.

The adult Gosselins seem like tragic figures, too, and I was glad that counselor Kahl considered this point. What would it take for a narcissist and a people pleaser to heal? I liked her compassion and professional perspective. Her writing style was a nice counterbalance to his, though she also shared a certain ironic bemusement which I enjoyed. And I especially liked that Walentis, veteran entertainment writer, who was hired by Us Magazine to cover the Gosselin story, looked at the whole industry, saw its shadow, and owned his own part of it. This, to me, is a moment of beauty in the book that moved me deeply. Whole people have a sense of humor about themselves and can admit to flaws. It is the pretense NOT to have a shadow that creates the craziness shown in this weird tale.

But what I hope stays with you is the compassion between the snarky lines. This is the book's golden shadow. Concern for the kids is right on top. But dig deeper and you will find a secret underground world of compassion even for the "antagonist": Kate, aka Hate, who is so lonely and armored that she responds to a friendly, "Hi Kate, I'm your neighbor." with "I live on 23 acres. I have no neighbors."

And of course, society itself is the real antagonist. The network who put this dark dramady on TV would not have done so without an audience. That's us. The "what are we going to do about it?" part is right in your face as you read this book. But the more subtle questions, "Can we forgive ourselves? How do we heal this?" ...that these flirt ever so slightly outside awareness makes them even more powerful catalysts for positive change.

If your shadow enjoys snarkiness, your social conscience cares for kids, and your soul is calling you to compassion, they'll all enjoy reading this book. Highly recommended.
4914052
Technically 4.5 stars, but worthy of rounding up.
Let me begin by saying that I read Edward J Russell's Flaws & Claws at what seemed like the perfect time. Work had been stressful and coming home feeling unappreciated for the work I do I was in need of something fun and entertaining. Flaws & Claws  was nearly utter perfection for what I needed. Now, that's not saying that the 4 stories within the pages of this book can not be enjoyed at other times, but I do believe this book can help make a bad day brighter.

I do not usually go over individual stories, as typically there are too many to allow a proper discussion without making the review overly lengthy. However with only 4 stories, making up 166 pages, I feel each tale from Flaws & Claws merits a brief  mention.  In "Green Peppers" the first day on the job becomes a test of self control as an elevator ride gets more and more torturous and painful.  "Not So Dearly Departed" introduces us to Clancy whose Aunt has passed on and she and The Daughters of Perpetual History have one last meeting to hold with Clancy's help. The first day of hunting season is filled with tradition for a group of friends and a father who his son along for his first hunt, but things begin to go horribly wrong and "Opening Day" becomes a day of horror. Last but not least "Milton Dixon Has a Bad Day" teaches us that hill folk may not be a dumb as city folk seem to think they are...they sure know how to live, have fun and take care of  zombies when they happen to wander into their neck of the woods.

Flaws & Claws is filled with hilarity, gore, adult humor and even a bit of thought-provoking morals. I would not hesitate to add this one to your bookshelf or Kindle.