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But also, I think the book would be better if he approached topics in a broader manner. I was excited to read this book, because I was hoping that it would be a critical look at modern society. I found the author rather labourious, and I really struggled to see the connections between some of the points that he raised. I think you'll find better books out there.
It's extremely difficult to read, because it's tough to make the connections and remain on the same thought path as the author. The author's extremely arrogant attitude takes a long time to get over. It's reminiscent of a tongue-in-cheek, pseudophilosophical/pseudological blogger's ravings that have never been opposed. I would never recommend it to anyone.
I must agree with a previous reviewer in that this book reads as though the author had sat down in front of his computer and typed it out to himself, got carried away, didn't have it proofread (a "pigeon" language. Shouldn't this be an attack on the entertainment industry, rather than poor John Cusack who is also trying make a buck.All in all, I hated this book. This book is critical, and it does dissect some modern societal issues, but unfortunately the bad points of the book rule over the good points. For example, blaming John Cusack and the films he's been in for society's romantic expections, is a bit narrow minded and silly.
I've never watched MTV's Real World, and I'm just younger than the Billy Joel generation, so I don't quite grasp the weight of these issues. For example, I found the entire chapter on Bill Joel being great, and not cool, extremely painful to read. It's pidgin.)., and has never had his opinions debated.Also, I stay in South Africa and a lot of the stuff I couldn't relate to, because of the cultural references.
He also thinks the things I wish I could think. Chuck Klosterman is brilliant. He not only says the things I think and wish I could say.
Don't waste your time This Book is boring not funny and defenitely no worth to read.
I suppose his goal here was to assure the reader that he is absolutely shallow enough to cash in on this book despite its weak material. Unfortunately, Klosterman's understanding of most topics (both the deeper social topics he tries to explore and the actual pop culture references) is as superficial as his wit.Basically, you could break the entire content of this book down into one sentence; stupid people emulate what they see on TV because they are often also shallow and because their lives suck. This book is terrible. I guess, at the very least, that's a trait I can identify with.Anyway, each chapter in this book contains a fairly self contained essay that is meant to examine a particular aspect of American culture as compared to, affected by, and/or resulting from a particular piece of pop culture. Add in about two hundred pages of topical references you won't understand unless you're between the ages of 30 - 35 and sentences along the lines of 'I'm not cool but here is what a cool, ironic person would say about this topic, which just happens to be the same opinion I hold, or maybe I don't' and you'll be readily prepared for the content of this book. Klosterman starts out with a few pages eluding to the fact that he is so superficially witty that he has been able to fool several attractive women into sleeping with him despite the fact that he apparently isn't attractive. Congrats, buddy.
I felt like he was the awkward kid in the corner who thinks he's cool, trying to say something that will make everyone laugh but that really you feel sorry for, because he's trying so hard, but you can't help but walk away. Klosterman thinks he is cynically hilarious and it's just tacky. He tries way too hard. about something so that you forget what the main point is.
I will be so bold as to say that I have a great sense of humor. The book came up in conversation with a friend of mine, and I offered for him to read it to see what he thought. I tried to pick out things that I could relate to or would find interesting and nothing helped. When I first saw this book I thought it would be fantastic to laugh at myself and at recent culture for some of the silly things that we enjoy.
It's not funny at all. Needless to say, I wasn't surprised when he basically threw the book back at me a few days later and said that he could barely get through it and didn't come close to finishing it. Not taking things too seriously can be a very good thing.But I could not come even close to finishing this book. He goes on and on and on.
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