Scan barcode
spiritedrinoa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Less is a slice of life book about a man reflecting on his life, his age, and where to go from here.
The tone of the narration immediately reminded me of the the narration in the movie Stranger than Fiction.
The story is compelling in that it's relatable in moments of pondering or dreading growing older, feeling mediocre, focusing on unimportant things rather than appreciating what's there the whole time.
Although not usually the type of book I read, I thoroughly enjoyed traveling the world with Arthur Less and his mediocre German.
A few quotes in particular struck me and spoke to me personally.
"Twenty years of anything with another person is a success." and "A minor stroke? Fuck you, life."
The tone of the narration immediately reminded me of the the narration in the movie Stranger than Fiction.
The story is compelling in that it's relatable in moments of pondering or dreading growing older, feeling mediocre, focusing on unimportant things rather than appreciating what's there the whole time.
Although not usually the type of book I read, I thoroughly enjoyed traveling the world with Arthur Less and his mediocre German.
A few quotes in particular struck me and spoke to me personally.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, and Alcohol
pey333's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Infidelity, and Medical content
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Drug use
aromarrie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Look at him tripping at the same broken step as always, pausing to look down in surprise. Look at him turning to take the last few steps toward the one who awaits him. His face tilted upward toward home. Look at him, look at him. How could I not love him?
this was such an absurdly written book and so hard-hitting in all that comedy, what the hell ðŸ˜ðŸ˜?
i must admit, this whole mysterious narrator bit really motivated me to the end, and all of less’ crazy adventures in between just entertained me so much. deeply flawed character with a persona described as very innocent & youthful even when nearing 50……the narrator had such a way with words that it was clear how much they adored every single bit of arthur less, our protagonist, that you could imagine.
and i adored the reveal at the end, so….slight boost in rating 🌟
this was such an absurdly written book and so hard-hitting in all that comedy, what the hell ðŸ˜ðŸ˜?
i must admit, this whole mysterious narrator bit really motivated me to the end, and all of less’ crazy adventures in between just entertained me so much. deeply flawed character with a persona described as very innocent & youthful even when nearing 50……the narrator had such a way with words that it was clear how much they adored every single bit of arthur less, our protagonist, that you could imagine.
and i adored the reveal at the end, so….slight boost in rating 🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Grief and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
kajasversion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I found the story interesting to read, however it failed to evoke any emotions. I was left rather indifferent at the end of the novel, not caring for any of the characters deeply which I think is a flaw of this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Injury/Injury detail
sestout's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
itsheyfay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
pastlifetragedy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
machenn's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer and Alcohol
alexisgarcia's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i was surprised by how much this disappointed me. i’ve heard a few rave about this book and it’s been nominated for and won many awards. i really didn’t understand the hype and felt like it was a pretty lack luster story. i feel like maybe i just didn’t understand it or something idk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
isabelmary's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
not mad that I read it but would not re-read. lots of wisdom, compassion and insight from the author. highbrow eat pray love with very little time for developing any characters beyond the main character, who sadly was not as endearing to me as the author hoped. prose is beautiful but often overdone. the whole thing ends up being very very meta and actually the final third does pull it off, but that couldn’t stop the first half from feeling like a gentle little drag. still nice to see happy books win prizes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Fatphobia and Homophobia