Kevin Sampsell

I really enjoyed reading this book that I picked up solely because Jen's blog (thereadersroom.org) had a fun little activity called "Blind Book Date" where you pick a book blindly based on a few words. My words were "Realistic Love", and this book was my date, lol.

So back to the book.

I truly enjoyed it more than the three stars reflect. In fact, I almost gave it three stars and a heart. It's just that I didn't quite want to appear that I was endorsing it for other people because I do think the book has somewhat limited appeal. The story is narrated by a divorced man with a son who is in a relationship with a divorced woman with a daughter. Each chapter represents a year in their relationship. There is just the barest whisp of a plot. Each chapter is comprised of tiny vignettes or anecdotes that give the reader a bit of insight into the relationship. It is also written in some kind of odd second person where the narrator is talking to "you", but where you represents the woman in the relationship.

The whole approach is very fresh, and I thought it was bold and that it worked. But I can seriously see people disliking it.

My other critique is that there is that so many of the vignettes are sexual. I am definitely not averse to reading about sex and some of the scenes were very well done, but because the book has no plot, it ends up seeming a little gratuitous.

On the flip side, I really liked the writing and the whole way the author used the smallest of details for big impact. Also, it truly showed how relationships can be very flawed and yet also why people remain in them despite the flaws. I found that to be very honest and intriguing. Somehow it came across a little more like a writing assignment where the student is super talented as opposed to a fully realized novel. The ending, which is pretty abrupt, doesn't really alleviate that impression.

All in all though, there was something very unique and original here, and I would definitely keep an eye out for more from this author just to see what he does with his talents.… (more)

I greatly enjoyed this book. A collection of very short pieces of the author's life arranged into a greater kind of memoir. The memories of Kevin Sampsell are moving, terrifying, humorous, and indescribably fucked-up. I felt at times as if I was eating from a bowl filled with bitter little pieces of candy. The author is able to reach into your heart and grab you, then leave you feeling stunned or sad or moved in some way, all within a couple pages, and sometimes even a couple paragraphs. After that, you have to take a break to emotionally recover before moving on to the next story. This feat is accomplished by use of a very simple, straightforward, and earnest writing style that feels as if you're being told a story personally. And yet, even accounting for such an economic use of words, nothing seems to be left unsaid.… (more)