Reviews
This book has an intense weirdness that is deeply rooted in a sort of normalcy. And then it isn't. But it's confounding and confusing and bizarre and constantly tragic and lovely all at once.
This was unsettling, weird, hideous (sometimes), and beautiful (sometimes). My blog: http://worncorners.com/2016/01/31/the...
so so weird but even more weird is that I liked it
The First Bad Man is such an original tale. It's been called quirky or oddball, but that doesn't do it justice. Each turn of events feels meticulously planned out. So many original ideas and stories, it delves into the underbelly of our strangest desires; so-called 'adult games', fight simulations, unorthodox relations between the young and the old. Miranda July is an artist, film-maker and actress, and she has a very different way of looking at the world. It was nice to step into July's world for a while, to feel uncomfortable, yet comforted by other people's strangeness, to feel shocked and surprised, but ultimately I felt enlightened by her clever writing style and excellent characterisation.
I was really excited to read this - the book design is lovely and the endpaper pattern is so beautiful - and you know, it's Miranda July's first novel! But it was disappointing. She does have a way with phrasing and it was funny at times, but mostly awkward and a little off. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and the story felt a little absurd and farfetched. Quirky, yes, but better suited to a short story.
** spoiler alert ** Of course Miranda July wrote this. It's so strange and wonderful and deep. Basically it's 2 or 3 years in he life of a quirky middle-aged woman who just wants to care for someone. Her strange obsessions drive the book to unexpected honesty and humor simultaneously. I love this.
What you might expect of Miranda July: copious amounts of ????? but a net positive (and an interesting look at Family).
This book was beyond everything just plain weird. I did in fact enjoy the majority of it though. But it put me in a bit of a reading slump. 3.25 stars
NO NO NO NO NO. Absolutely not.
This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. Miranda July never fails to capture the weirdness of everyday life, and that comes into full focus in her debut novel, The First Bad Man. The main character is an awkward middle-aged woman named Cheryl whose thoughts are so quirky and hilarious, it feels like you're in the head of a more demented character from "The Office." Cheryl's high strung, very particular, and very bizarre. She mostly stays in her own head throughout her life, imagining infinite lifetimes loving one man who actually doesn't give her the time of day and communicating telepathically with babies (who she imagines are all the same baby soul). That is until Cheryl's boss forces her to let her mean-spirited 21-year-old daughter stay with Cheryl, and her life completely unravels. It's funny, it's moving, it's poignant. It's very Miranda July. And what a great ending. Read more: 5 Quirky Books to Make You Feel Normal
Highlights
Or maybe that was the point of love: not to think.
No, no, I said quickly. "Let's wait. Until we both can." I iked this way of talking where the verbs were left out. Maybe we would never say them.
My old disgust for her was just right there. […] I felt shame for my disgust. The shame felt like love.
I followed the doctor across the room. I yearned for a lawyer and the right to make a phone call. But those rights were for ar- rested people. We got nothing. Whatever he told me would be the new reality and we'd just have to accept it.
It read: "Another year older? I can't bear to see!" And then on the inside: "Because what's happening to you, is happening to me."