What do you think?
Rate this book
Un/Edited #1
Edited: Mike & Phil & All the World
The companion piece to Mike and Phile and All the World in all its +1,000 page glory.
This is a book. It is written by Barry Lyga. Yes, we know it's a very long book. We tried to get him to cut it, but he wouldn't. So there was nothing we could do about it. We understand if the length turns you off. A long book like this one represents a commitment, and if it isn't good, you'll feel like you've wasted your time and your money. Still, we published it because we think it's a good book. Could it be shorter? Maybe. That's a very difficult call. Each person will have his or her own opinion. Some will read it and think, "It could have been shorter." Others will think, "It was just right." And maybe some people will wish it was longer. Isn't that the highest compliment you can pay a book, to wish it would never end?
Usually, this text here (it's called "flap copy") is sexy marketing-talk, designed to get you to buy the book. Did you know that most people look at the cover, then the back cover, then the flap copy, and only then do they bother even to flip to a page in the book? So you probably haven't even read any part of the book yet, but you might decide to buy or not buy it anyway. Without having read a word of it.
So, we'll just say this: This book is a love story. We hope you'll give it a shot.
This is a book. It is written by Barry Lyga. Yes, we know it's a very long book. We tried to get him to cut it, but he wouldn't. So there was nothing we could do about it. We understand if the length turns you off. A long book like this one represents a commitment, and if it isn't good, you'll feel like you've wasted your time and your money. Still, we published it because we think it's a good book. Could it be shorter? Maybe. That's a very difficult call. Each person will have his or her own opinion. Some will read it and think, "It could have been shorter." Others will think, "It was just right." And maybe some people will wish it was longer. Isn't that the highest compliment you can pay a book, to wish it would never end?
Usually, this text here (it's called "flap copy") is sexy marketing-talk, designed to get you to buy the book. Did you know that most people look at the cover, then the back cover, then the flap copy, and only then do they bother even to flip to a page in the book? So you probably haven't even read any part of the book yet, but you might decide to buy or not buy it anyway. Without having read a word of it.
So, we'll just say this: This book is a love story. We hope you'll give it a shot.
- GenresYoung AdultRomanceTeen
Hardcover
First published January 11, 2022
3 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Barry Lyga
71 books2,194 followersBarry Lyga is a recovering comic book geek. According to Kirkus, he's also a "YA rebel-author." Somehow, the two just don't seem to go together to him.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 23, 2022
The blurb for this book calls it a "love story." I don't really even think that this book is a story (much less a love story, which at least implies that there will be characters you can root for).
It's not a story. It's more like a ramble. A vagabond stumbling through the desert, parched, meandering, hopeless, and boring.
I feel so strongly of "It's not you, it's me." I had a 1star amount of fun. But it feels like it's my (and the publicity team's) fault that I went into this book expecting characters to ship, a speculative fiction plotline, and humor similar to Princess Bride.
Here's who I would recommend this book to: people who love the movie 500 Days of Summer (loser protagonist, pining after a doomed relationship). People who like when the author is a character in the book (not in a John Green way, more like in a Lego Movie way). People who like it when books prioritize Weirdness over Plot. I know those people are out there, and I hope this book finds them.
I have a lot to say about this book¹, but most of it would be an angry rant², so I'll just abstain³.
* MY THOUGHTS ON EDITED VS UNEDITED: *
This book has a partner book, which is Unedited. It's a very long unedited version of Edited.
If Edited is a (sometimes barely coherent) pererration, Unedited is so much more. It truly does read like a rough draft, difficult to follow and full of extraneous details.
However, if that is the kind of book you're looking for: a drift through abysmal characters and an Ode to Writing, Unedited is the superior version.
[ Just as an FYI: ]
Unedited could also be called "Uncensored." Edited could be passed off as an older YoungAdult book, but Unedited has way too much (sex, language, etc) to keep that label. For context (at least in the copies I read), Unedited is 3.2 times longer than Edited. It also has 5.1 times more F-bombs. The density is somewhat increased.
Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
¹ The part of this book that bothered me the most is when Lyga is complaining that no one likes his endings, how he can't write good endings, and how they're problematic for him, and. And I've read other Lyga books; I LOVED THE ENDINGS. It was my favorite thing about the books. So to have our page time wasted with a pity party is lame. But to have it wasted on critique that ISN'T EVEN ACCURATE, even worse.
² This book seriously angered me. I had high hopes for it, and it bombed every one.
³ Of course I couldn't help myself. I had⁴ to include some pretentious and contradictory footnotes to help you understand what reading this book is like.
⁴ Or maybe I didn't write a review at all. Maybe this is all in your head; a complicated and irrelevant dream⁵ sequence.
⁵ You're on Goodreads. The beige colorscheme reminds you of the stucco Walmart building you once kissed a girl in. But wait, you don't have lips, they're all blurry. They say to you, the⁶ password is broccoli. You nod, then panic. Where does that key go! You try it in your bikelock? Finally, a way to escape. You wake up, only to find your blanket has been replaced by a mat of woven bacon.
⁶ Dream sequences don't have quotation marks. You would know that if you'd ever dreamed before.
It's not a story. It's more like a ramble. A vagabond stumbling through the desert, parched, meandering, hopeless, and boring.
I feel so strongly of "It's not you, it's me." I had a 1star amount of fun. But it feels like it's my (and the publicity team's) fault that I went into this book expecting characters to ship, a speculative fiction plotline, and humor similar to Princess Bride.
Here's who I would recommend this book to: people who love the movie 500 Days of Summer (loser protagonist, pining after a doomed relationship). People who like when the author is a character in the book (not in a John Green way, more like in a Lego Movie way). People who like it when books prioritize Weirdness over Plot. I know those people are out there, and I hope this book finds them.
I have a lot to say about this book¹, but most of it would be an angry rant², so I'll just abstain³.
* MY THOUGHTS ON EDITED VS UNEDITED: *
This book has a partner book, which is Unedited. It's a very long unedited version of Edited.
If Edited is a (sometimes barely coherent) pererration, Unedited is so much more. It truly does read like a rough draft, difficult to follow and full of extraneous details.
However, if that is the kind of book you're looking for: a drift through abysmal characters and an Ode to Writing, Unedited is the superior version.
[ Just as an FYI: ]
Unedited could also be called "Uncensored." Edited could be passed off as an older YoungAdult book, but Unedited has way too much (sex, language, etc) to keep that label. For context (at least in the copies I read), Unedited is 3.2 times longer than Edited. It also has 5.1 times more F-bombs. The density is somewhat increased.
Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
¹ The part of this book that bothered me the most is when Lyga is complaining that no one likes his endings, how he can't write good endings, and how they're problematic for him, and. And I've read other Lyga books; I LOVED THE ENDINGS. It was my favorite thing about the books. So to have our page time wasted with a pity party is lame. But to have it wasted on critique that ISN'T EVEN ACCURATE, even worse.
² This book seriously angered me. I had high hopes for it, and it bombed every one.
³ Of course I couldn't help myself. I had⁴ to include some pretentious and contradictory footnotes to help you understand what reading this book is like.
⁴ Or maybe I didn't write a review at all. Maybe this is all in your head; a complicated and irrelevant dream⁵ sequence.
⁵ You're on Goodreads. The beige colorscheme reminds you of the stucco Walmart building you once kissed a girl in. But wait, you don't have lips, they're all blurry. They say to you, the⁶ password is broccoli. You nod, then panic. Where does that key go! You try it in your bikelock? Finally, a way to escape. You wake up, only to find your blanket has been replaced by a mat of woven bacon.
⁶ Dream sequences don't have quotation marks. You would know that if you'd ever dreamed before.
dnf
September 6, 2022I had to DNF this book, and did so after encouragement from friends. I typically hate DNFing but I think this novel made me realize it can be a real act of self care. This was so disjointed and claggy. I agree with another reviewer that whoever wrote the NetGalley description for this misrepresented the story when likening it to The Princess Bride and Stranger Than Fiction. If only, friends.
DNF'd at 25%
DNF'd at 25%
January 20, 2023
It was definitely something. I'm not sure if I liked it, but I'm sure I did not not like it either. Youre confused? I'm fucking confused.
October 21, 2022
Language: R (97 swears, 41 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
Mike is in love with Phil. And he thinks she loves/d him, too. They were together during senior year, and then they separated after graduation, but now Mike will do anything in his power to get her back – even if it doesn’t make much sense.
Initially, I thought the beginning was just disorienting. But things never got better. By chapter six, I wished I could have put the book down three chapters earlier. The story doesn’t make sense, and I was annoyed. And then Lyga comes in and breaks the fourth wall worse than I have ever seen before. Maybe we can offer kudos to him for doing something new and surprising readers, but I am not pleased with the surprise and his over-meta-ing. If I could unread this book, I would.
Mike is White, and Phil and George are implied White. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, innuendo, and mentions of nudity, condoms, and sex. The violence rating is for mentions of domestic violence, child abuse, and suicide.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Mike is in love with Phil. And he thinks she loves/d him, too. They were together during senior year, and then they separated after graduation, but now Mike will do anything in his power to get her back – even if it doesn’t make much sense.
Initially, I thought the beginning was just disorienting. But things never got better. By chapter six, I wished I could have put the book down three chapters earlier. The story doesn’t make sense, and I was annoyed. And then Lyga comes in and breaks the fourth wall worse than I have ever seen before. Maybe we can offer kudos to him for doing something new and surprising readers, but I am not pleased with the surprise and his over-meta-ing. If I could unread this book, I would.
Mike is White, and Phil and George are implied White. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, innuendo, and mentions of nudity, condoms, and sex. The violence rating is for mentions of domestic violence, child abuse, and suicide.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Read
November 15, 2022Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: Subdued
Drinking Buddy: Never
MPAA Rating: R (Sex, Language, Alcohol)
Talky Talk: And Talk, And Talk, And Talk.
Anti-Bonus Factor: The Author Is A Character
Bromance Status: Hard Breakup
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Subdued
Drinking Buddy: Never
MPAA Rating: R (Sex, Language, Alcohol)
Talky Talk: And Talk, And Talk, And Talk.
Anti-Bonus Factor: The Author Is A Character
Bromance Status: Hard Breakup
Read the full book report here.
August 30, 2022
I am a fan of both innovative fiction and meta fiction, but this novel fell a little flat for me for one reason: it’s too self-explanatory. While the premise of the story remains somewhat interesting, I found the amount of introspective pseudo-philosophy a bit obnoxious at times.
I did appreciate the use of footnotes that often circumvented the “edited” version by relaying information from the “unedited” edition. That said, the effect of these footnotes often left me with questions related to character motives, which was also obnoxious. But this was a supposedly purposeful given the interspersed transcripts between Lyga and the editor that insist the missing information doesn’t matter to the story.
Now, the story itself was cool because it remind me of Philip K Dick’s VALIS… mostly the ominous pursuit of an unknown god who has the potential to deus ex machina the shit out of the story but doesn’t based on some bullshit moral superiority. Anyway, that’s the bit that really bothered me. We could have let all our philosophical ramblings lead us to some further unknown. Left some mystery to the adventure. Nope. Lyga chose to explain every last possible nuance of every decision and their purpose. Honestly, it was a lot of saying the same thing over and over with new words.
This book is less a love story and more a love letter. But it’s a love letter to someone we never get to meet. I wanted so badly to love this book. The humor is great. But beats of this story are broken apart by its half-hearted philosophies. This book uses a loosely-assembled plot to demonstrate a moral lesson and then demands we forgive the lack of plot because the author is merely using his characters to demonstrate a point.
I gave this book 3 stars because, honestly, god-fucking-help-me, I’m curious about “Unedited.” So, if nothing else, the marketing gimmick worked and I am now reading the companion novel, despite my better instincts. DAMN YOU, CURIOSITY!
I did appreciate the use of footnotes that often circumvented the “edited” version by relaying information from the “unedited” edition. That said, the effect of these footnotes often left me with questions related to character motives, which was also obnoxious. But this was a supposedly purposeful given the interspersed transcripts between Lyga and the editor that insist the missing information doesn’t matter to the story.
Now, the story itself was cool because it remind me of Philip K Dick’s VALIS… mostly the ominous pursuit of an unknown god who has the potential to deus ex machina the shit out of the story but doesn’t based on some bullshit moral superiority. Anyway, that’s the bit that really bothered me. We could have let all our philosophical ramblings lead us to some further unknown. Left some mystery to the adventure. Nope. Lyga chose to explain every last possible nuance of every decision and their purpose. Honestly, it was a lot of saying the same thing over and over with new words.
This book is less a love story and more a love letter. But it’s a love letter to someone we never get to meet. I wanted so badly to love this book. The humor is great. But beats of this story are broken apart by its half-hearted philosophies. This book uses a loosely-assembled plot to demonstrate a moral lesson and then demands we forgive the lack of plot because the author is merely using his characters to demonstrate a point.
I gave this book 3 stars because, honestly, god-fucking-help-me, I’m curious about “Unedited.” So, if nothing else, the marketing gimmick worked and I am now reading the companion novel, despite my better instincts. DAMN YOU, CURIOSITY!
August 31, 2022
Meta-fiction is all the rage right now, and Lyga’s attempt to break that fourth wall was valiant, but it fell short. I’m all for experimenting with narrative styles; nevertheless, Lyga’s companion book is a hodgepodge of the original text, emails and texts between himself and his editor, and self-inserts. Granted, I haven’t read the original book, so it makes sense this would confuse the hell out of new readers, but I wish “Edited” could’ve stood on its own. Also, to the meta-fiction, I firmly believe there's a careful balance between too much and too little, and in Lyga’s case, definitely too much.
In the flap copy, “Edited” is described as a love story––which, I suppose, is true, but only barely. Sure, Mike loves Phil and goes on this quest to win her back, yet that’s about it. Granted, a blunt examination of Mike’s idealized love for Phil would put other YA authors to shame, but that’s about all there is for the “love story.” The rest of “Edited” jumps back and forth between Mike’s nonsensical quest for love, his supposed power, and the author’s self-insert.
Mind-bending but ultimately a confusing whirlwind, “Edited” was a valiant attempt on Lyga’s part to dive into meta-fiction. Still, this novel failed to indeed subvert the reading experience.
In the flap copy, “Edited” is described as a love story––which, I suppose, is true, but only barely. Sure, Mike loves Phil and goes on this quest to win her back, yet that’s about it. Granted, a blunt examination of Mike’s idealized love for Phil would put other YA authors to shame, but that’s about all there is for the “love story.” The rest of “Edited” jumps back and forth between Mike’s nonsensical quest for love, his supposed power, and the author’s self-insert.
Mind-bending but ultimately a confusing whirlwind, “Edited” was a valiant attempt on Lyga’s part to dive into meta-fiction. Still, this novel failed to indeed subvert the reading experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2023
why is this a self insert fanfic? and why did he do it like three times. he tried to be edgy i think? he yip yapped too hard and it didn’t make sense.
t
h
i
s
b
oo
k
h
u
r
t
m
y
h
e
a
d
(there was parts in the book formatted like this)
t
h
i
s
b
oo
k
h
u
r
t
m
y
h
e
a
d
(there was parts in the book formatted like this)
November 11, 2022
DNFed I am confused, what did I just read? I don't even know what to say about this other than the fact that I am so lost with this one.
August 9, 2022
Thank you Bary Lyga, Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for this free ARC in exchange for a review.
This novel is interesting, with the author a part of the book.
A good lesson on what love is, vs. selfishness.
And there's something to be said for a book which calls itself pretentious.
This novel is interesting, with the author a part of the book.
A good lesson on what love is, vs. selfishness.
And there's something to be said for a book which calls itself pretentious.
November 28, 2022
But who is the Dreamer?
In Lynchian fashion, Barry Lyga has blown me away.
In this Twin Peaks-esque / Meta love story, (or a love note to writing itself depending on who you ask) Lyga has found an incredible way to convey his latest publication so perfectly.
But who is the Dreamer? That’s a question repeated in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks that has always left viewers wondering. My interpretation? The dreamer is the consumer, the one watching, or in this case reading, the story as it unfolds. And EDITED? Well, that same feeling I got watching Twin Peaks for the first time was very much revisited when the question of “who has control?” Becomes a crucial part of the story.
I have been a huge fan of Lyga’s since stumbling across The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl more than 10 years ago. I’ve read each of his books since and he does an incredible job getting into the minds of teenagers. Each of his stories have been so relatable to me, and this latest addition adds to that list.
Yes, EDITED requires much attention, it is not straightforward, its vague and weird at times, but it is a beautiful masterpiece to anyone who is up for a wild journey, loves his previous work, or is a huge comic fan, because there are loads of references. Or who loves experimental and Lynchian works.
I absolutely cannot wait to read the big book, UNEDITED, it is my goal to get my hands on a copy next.
In Lynchian fashion, Barry Lyga has blown me away.
In this Twin Peaks-esque / Meta love story, (or a love note to writing itself depending on who you ask) Lyga has found an incredible way to convey his latest publication so perfectly.
But who is the Dreamer? That’s a question repeated in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks that has always left viewers wondering. My interpretation? The dreamer is the consumer, the one watching, or in this case reading, the story as it unfolds. And EDITED? Well, that same feeling I got watching Twin Peaks for the first time was very much revisited when the question of “who has control?” Becomes a crucial part of the story.
I have been a huge fan of Lyga’s since stumbling across The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl more than 10 years ago. I’ve read each of his books since and he does an incredible job getting into the minds of teenagers. Each of his stories have been so relatable to me, and this latest addition adds to that list.
Yes, EDITED requires much attention, it is not straightforward, its vague and weird at times, but it is a beautiful masterpiece to anyone who is up for a wild journey, loves his previous work, or is a huge comic fan, because there are loads of references. Or who loves experimental and Lynchian works.
I absolutely cannot wait to read the big book, UNEDITED, it is my goal to get my hands on a copy next.
October 25, 2023
The book blurb says "Edited" is a love story, and I guess that's true, but just barely. Sure, Mike loves Phil and goes on a journey to win her back, but that's pretty much it for the love story part. I have to admit, though, that a straightforward look at Mike's idealized love for Phil would put those other young adult authors to shame. Now, I haven't read the original book, so it might confuse newcomers like you, dear, but I really wish "Edited" could've been a bit easier to understand on its own. And speaking of all this fancy meta-fiction, there's a fine line between too much and just enough, and in Lyga's case, it's definitely leaning towards too much.
You know, this meta-fiction stuff is all the rage these days, and I have to say, Lyga gave it a try. Bless his heart, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I mean, I'm all for trying out new ways to tell stories, but Lyga's companion book is a bit of a jumble. It's a real head-spinning ride, but "Edited" ends up being a bit of a confusing whirlwind. It mixes the original text with emails and texts between him and his editor, and he even puts himself into the story. Lyga definitely took a bold shot at diving into this fancy meta-fiction, but this book doesn't quite turn the reading experience on its head like it could have.
You know, this meta-fiction stuff is all the rage these days, and I have to say, Lyga gave it a try. Bless his heart, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I mean, I'm all for trying out new ways to tell stories, but Lyga's companion book is a bit of a jumble. It's a real head-spinning ride, but "Edited" ends up being a bit of a confusing whirlwind. It mixes the original text with emails and texts between him and his editor, and he even puts himself into the story. Lyga definitely took a bold shot at diving into this fancy meta-fiction, but this book doesn't quite turn the reading experience on its head like it could have.
June 5, 2023
Points for doing something different for sure. Though, comparatively, I don't much get A.S. King's YA books and this one felt like I was reading King but with a little more bro humor. Lyga wanted to present a story about a boy whose girlfriend is no longer his girlfriend and the thoughts around figuring out where/what/why it went wrong.
But the narrative is not a straightforward third person story of Mike and Philomel-- its breaking down the walls of narration and storytelling by including the editor of the book, making changes to the story, and overexplaining what's occurring to the point of exhaustion.
Unique, yes.
But the narrative is not a straightforward third person story of Mike and Philomel-- its breaking down the walls of narration and storytelling by including the editor of the book, making changes to the story, and overexplaining what's occurring to the point of exhaustion.
Unique, yes.
November 20, 2023
This book is a trip. I may have been simply lost and confused if I wasn't a writer-- I related to a lot of writer-things in it, which was enjoyable. Hard to dislike something the writer obviously had fun writing. It's wild. It is not what it says. It is also not a love story at all. But idk man, it was a wild ride, not my favorite, but a pretty good fourth-wall-breaking story as those go-- I'm used to that mainly being humor, and anything that isn't comes off pretentious but idk. at least anything that was pretentious was also self aware. I enjoyed it. I don't think you're supposed to completely follow it. It'd be a fascinating study.
November 26, 2022
This book was just an oddly strung together stream of consciousness that I sort of doubt is… conscious. It is extremely rare for me to DNF a book, but this one really tested Emmy will power. I finished this book with the air of a person walking to their death. I see what the author was trying to do here, but I felt like they almost went too far and tried too hard to dive into meta diction.
I’m honestly baffled as to how this can be canned a love story. Please understand that NEVER give bad ratings like this unless the book is practically unreadable, but I can’t justify anything else.
I’m honestly baffled as to how this can be canned a love story. Please understand that NEVER give bad ratings like this unless the book is practically unreadable, but I can’t justify anything else.
December 17, 2022
Was a DNF for me, unfortunately. I just could not get into this one!
March 12, 2023
didn’t actually finish; well written, interesting concept just was too convoluted to hold my interest
April 8, 2025
Don't get why there's such a bad rating for this book, it wasn't bad. Sure, a little confusing at times, but I enjoyed it. Concept was unlike anything I've read before and I found it interesting
January 3, 2023
This piece originally appeared in the Washington Independent Review of Books:
As the title suggests, this book is an edited down version of a story--a story about Mike. And a story about Mike and Phil (Philomel). As author Lyga explains in a note that starts the novel: "This story you're about to read is actually a partial version or an iteration, pieces of a larger whole, stitched together to cover the surgical trauma. You can read it on its own or as the companion to a grander, more epic work--and I've provided you the tools to do so, embedded in the text itself."
The story begins as Mike realizes he can edit reality leading to fundamental changes in the world that only he perceives like changing the color of his now ex-girlfriend Phil's party dress between red and blue--the latter of which better compliments Phil's naturally teal hair and begins a journey for both characters through a series of world-shifting changes to their individual lives and their relationship with each other and reality in Edited (2022) by Barry Lyga.
Find it on Bookshop.
In Edited, Lyga inserts himself into the story as a quasi-character sharing notes on his creative process and authorial choices both in the narrative and in footnotes throughout the novel referencing points in Unedited--the 794 page companion to Edited--where readers can find more information on different areas like "a deeper dive into George's miserable childhood" in chapter two of Unedited which is instead a brief paragraph in Edited.
Edited is a high concept story with a hook that will appeal to fans of meta-narratives in the vein of the films Stranger Than Fiction and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In Mike's world children's and YA literature is instead known as "nonadult" and Mike's best friend George loves the author Gayl Rybar (an acronym for Barry Lyga) creating many tongue-in-cheek moments that don't quite coalesce into meaningful world building or in-depth characterization while keeping the narrative voice impersonal as seen in Mike's dissection of his friendship with George: "All of this leads me to believe and to understand that a best friend is perhaps best defined as someone whose upbringing sucked vastly more than your own . . . and yet steadfastly contends that your upbringing was just as bad, if not worse." Clinical observations like this lend themselves to provocative realizations from Mike ("By this particular logic George is my best friend, but I can never be his.") and interesting quandaries for readers but rarely lead to a larger impact on the story or characters.
Phil--the only female character of note in this book--comes with another set of programs as for most of the novel she serves as an object of Mike's pining without becoming a fully developed character in her own right. Lyga notes this problem himself writing that Phil comes across as "paper-thin, a caricature more than a character" as she explains herself in the only chapter narrated by Phil where she breaks the fourth wall to discuss with readers the "Creator's advantage" of the author and the multitudinous nature of characters who can be many things--both good and bad.
What Mike experiences throughout the novel is "as simple and as complex as ink on paper" in this self-referential, process-driven story where creativity trumps everything.
As the title suggests, this book is an edited down version of a story--a story about Mike. And a story about Mike and Phil (Philomel). As author Lyga explains in a note that starts the novel: "This story you're about to read is actually a partial version or an iteration, pieces of a larger whole, stitched together to cover the surgical trauma. You can read it on its own or as the companion to a grander, more epic work--and I've provided you the tools to do so, embedded in the text itself."
The story begins as Mike realizes he can edit reality leading to fundamental changes in the world that only he perceives like changing the color of his now ex-girlfriend Phil's party dress between red and blue--the latter of which better compliments Phil's naturally teal hair and begins a journey for both characters through a series of world-shifting changes to their individual lives and their relationship with each other and reality in Edited (2022) by Barry Lyga.
Find it on Bookshop.
In Edited, Lyga inserts himself into the story as a quasi-character sharing notes on his creative process and authorial choices both in the narrative and in footnotes throughout the novel referencing points in Unedited--the 794 page companion to Edited--where readers can find more information on different areas like "a deeper dive into George's miserable childhood" in chapter two of Unedited which is instead a brief paragraph in Edited.
Edited is a high concept story with a hook that will appeal to fans of meta-narratives in the vein of the films Stranger Than Fiction and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In Mike's world children's and YA literature is instead known as "nonadult" and Mike's best friend George loves the author Gayl Rybar (an acronym for Barry Lyga) creating many tongue-in-cheek moments that don't quite coalesce into meaningful world building or in-depth characterization while keeping the narrative voice impersonal as seen in Mike's dissection of his friendship with George: "All of this leads me to believe and to understand that a best friend is perhaps best defined as someone whose upbringing sucked vastly more than your own . . . and yet steadfastly contends that your upbringing was just as bad, if not worse." Clinical observations like this lend themselves to provocative realizations from Mike ("By this particular logic George is my best friend, but I can never be his.") and interesting quandaries for readers but rarely lead to a larger impact on the story or characters.
Phil--the only female character of note in this book--comes with another set of programs as for most of the novel she serves as an object of Mike's pining without becoming a fully developed character in her own right. Lyga notes this problem himself writing that Phil comes across as "paper-thin, a caricature more than a character" as she explains herself in the only chapter narrated by Phil where she breaks the fourth wall to discuss with readers the "Creator's advantage" of the author and the multitudinous nature of characters who can be many things--both good and bad.
What Mike experiences throughout the novel is "as simple and as complex as ink on paper" in this self-referential, process-driven story where creativity trumps everything.
October 1, 2023
This novel requires a lot of attention. It’s vague and very weird, but it’s also beautiful. I definitely want to read Unedited - the version that wasn’t edited 🤭 (duh)
Lyga is known as the "YA Rebel Author who also worked in the comic book industry for ten years. I find his writing interesting and very, very funny.
Lyga is known as the "YA Rebel Author who also worked in the comic book industry for ten years. I find his writing interesting and very, very funny.
August 12, 2024
Merge Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the Barbie movie, but do it badly. I can’t even say awfully because that would imply it was like some type of trainwreck that might be worth it under the right circumstances, like a viewing of Sharknado. No this is bad and mediocre. A waste of paper. It’s so bad I feel terrible even making a comparison to those movies from this trash heap of a novel. Sharnado is a better use of time.
This book is trite, childish, narcissistic, self indulgent garbage. I wrote a story where I appeared in the story and talked to my characters and thought it was edgy and cool, too. Want to know WHY I thought it was edgy and cool? Because I was 17. Ffs.
The author didn’t need to self identify at the end as a straight cis white man. It was painfully obvious from the beginning. Mike is a jerk, the plot assumes you actually don’t hate him, and Phil is just another flat lifeless manic pixie dream girl. She may as well have been a blow up doll. That would have been more interesting.
Mike sucks. I actually do want Mike left alone in a room because he is such a douchebag. No, it wasn’t a secret his best friend was gay and in love with him. I’m not tagging it as a spoiler because you’re not fooling anyone. Mike ending up alone is too good for him. He is prime incel material, probably complaining on 4chan message boards about being “friendzoned”. Dick.
I love experimental fiction and House of Leaves is one of my favorite novels. This book is not House of Leaves. Not even close.
Also, if you are a man who wants to know how to write women start actually viewing women as people.
This book is trite, childish, narcissistic, self indulgent garbage. I wrote a story where I appeared in the story and talked to my characters and thought it was edgy and cool, too. Want to know WHY I thought it was edgy and cool? Because I was 17. Ffs.
The author didn’t need to self identify at the end as a straight cis white man. It was painfully obvious from the beginning. Mike is a jerk, the plot assumes you actually don’t hate him, and Phil is just another flat lifeless manic pixie dream girl. She may as well have been a blow up doll. That would have been more interesting.
Mike sucks. I actually do want Mike left alone in a room because he is such a douchebag. No, it wasn’t a secret his best friend was gay and in love with him. I’m not tagging it as a spoiler because you’re not fooling anyone. Mike ending up alone is too good for him. He is prime incel material, probably complaining on 4chan message boards about being “friendzoned”. Dick.
I love experimental fiction and House of Leaves is one of my favorite novels. This book is not House of Leaves. Not even close.
Also, if you are a man who wants to know how to write women start actually viewing women as people.
November 26, 2022
This book was just an oddly strung together stream of consciousness that I sort of doubt is… conscious. It is extremely rare for me to DNF a book, but this one really tested Emmy will power. I finished this book with the air of a person walking to their death. I see what the author was trying to do here, but I felt like they almost went too far and tried too hard to dive into meta diction.
I’m honestly baffled as to how this can be canned a love story. Please understand that NEVER give bad ratings like this unless the book is practically unreadable, but I can’t justify anything else.
Review posted on Amazon as well, but is not approved yet. Amazon profile link shared
I’m honestly baffled as to how this can be canned a love story. Please understand that NEVER give bad ratings like this unless the book is practically unreadable, but I can’t justify anything else.
Review posted on Amazon as well, but is not approved yet. Amazon profile link shared
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews