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Girls
girls is a journey into the most forbidden corners of male desire and a brilliantly provocative novel about lust obsession and power. A wealthy father of two deserts his family in order to spend the night in a college girl's dorm room. A CEO visiting his friends villa feigns a sprained ankle in order to have sex with their teenage daughter. A businessman in Korea has the best sexual experience of his life with a young woman whose true age he never learns. These are the men who have left their safe lives, who have replaced their old dreams with dreams of the girls they yearn for. In an age when everything is for sale, girls' subject matter is the power and fascination young girls have over rich men and vice versa. Juxtaposing philosophical asides and travelling deep inside the most forbidden corners of male desire, Nic Kelman's insights are both revealing and shocking.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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About the author
Nic Kelman
5 books19 followersNic Kelman was born in New York City to parents from the UK and the US. Documentarian Alfred Kelman was his father. Kelman received a Bachelor of Science in Brain and Cognitive Science and a Minor in Film and Media Studies from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then received a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Brown University where he studied under a full fellowship.
Kelman's first novel, "girls: a paean," (Little, Brown and Company, 2003) was a San Francisco Chronicle and New York Journal News Best Book of the Year. It went on to become a critically acclaimed international bestseller and has been translated into more than a dozen languages. In Italy, where Fazi Editore was the publisher, it was notably successful.
Kelman's second book was published worldwide in French and English by Assouline in 2006. It was the world's first art history book on the subject of video games and was thus titled, simply, "Video Game Art."
Kelman's third book and second novel, Il Comportamento della Luce, was published in 2008 by Fazi Editore.
DreamWorks Studios purchased Kelman's original sci-fi screenplay, "Genneris," as a directing project for Steven Spielberg in 2010. Since then, Kelman has sold original screenplays to many other directors and studios including Roland Emmerich, Warner Brothers, and Paramount Pictures.
In 2015, Kelman's fourth book, the illustrated novel, "How To Pass As Human," was published by Dark Horse Books.
From August 2017 to March 2021, Kelman worked at Wizards of the Coast, most recently as Director of Entertainment Development.
As well as writing his own projects, he currently works as a freelance Narrative and IP Development Consultant.
Kelman's first novel, "girls: a paean," (Little, Brown and Company, 2003) was a San Francisco Chronicle and New York Journal News Best Book of the Year. It went on to become a critically acclaimed international bestseller and has been translated into more than a dozen languages. In Italy, where Fazi Editore was the publisher, it was notably successful.
Kelman's second book was published worldwide in French and English by Assouline in 2006. It was the world's first art history book on the subject of video games and was thus titled, simply, "Video Game Art."
Kelman's third book and second novel, Il Comportamento della Luce, was published in 2008 by Fazi Editore.
DreamWorks Studios purchased Kelman's original sci-fi screenplay, "Genneris," as a directing project for Steven Spielberg in 2010. Since then, Kelman has sold original screenplays to many other directors and studios including Roland Emmerich, Warner Brothers, and Paramount Pictures.
In 2015, Kelman's fourth book, the illustrated novel, "How To Pass As Human," was published by Dark Horse Books.
From August 2017 to March 2021, Kelman worked at Wizards of the Coast, most recently as Director of Entertainment Development.
As well as writing his own projects, he currently works as a freelance Narrative and IP Development Consultant.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 7, 2015
Judging by some of the other reviews, I may be the only woman who actually enjoyed girls. Yes, at times it was uncomfortable and disturbing to read, which was likely exactly the reaction Kelman wanted when he wrote of such politically incorrect subjects, taboos, and extremes. Any book that earns such a visceral reaction gets major points with me.
Going beyond the examples of extreme male thought and behavior, girls presents a range of subtler scenes, less likely to outright offend the female audience, more likely to resonate with the vast majority of male readers, pages dealing with marriage, fatherhood, relationships, power struggles at home and in the office, pride, money, gender roles, male/female equality, etc. And sex. Girls and sex, of course. There's a lot of that. Things could have gotten heavy (and, thus, boring), but Kelman's writing style is light and refreshing. Quick, straight to the point, and simple without feeling moronic. But above all else, Kelman is unabashedly unapologetic. It's there, in your face, with no justifications, no excuses, and absolutely no attempt at moralizing his subject matter. He doesn't try to make it more palatable to the female sex, and that is ballsy, impressive.
This honesty without apology, even when he deals with extremes, may be what repulses so many female readers. Because let's be honest: there's something distinctly uncomfortable about having to admit that maybe, just maybe, Kelman is occasionally right.
An excellent, engaging read, quick and fresh and smart. I wouldn't recommend reading it at the office or while in the same room as your grandma, but I highly suggest reading girls at some point. Well worth the effort.
Going beyond the examples of extreme male thought and behavior, girls presents a range of subtler scenes, less likely to outright offend the female audience, more likely to resonate with the vast majority of male readers, pages dealing with marriage, fatherhood, relationships, power struggles at home and in the office, pride, money, gender roles, male/female equality, etc. And sex. Girls and sex, of course. There's a lot of that. Things could have gotten heavy (and, thus, boring), but Kelman's writing style is light and refreshing. Quick, straight to the point, and simple without feeling moronic. But above all else, Kelman is unabashedly unapologetic. It's there, in your face, with no justifications, no excuses, and absolutely no attempt at moralizing his subject matter. He doesn't try to make it more palatable to the female sex, and that is ballsy, impressive.
This honesty without apology, even when he deals with extremes, may be what repulses so many female readers. Because let's be honest: there's something distinctly uncomfortable about having to admit that maybe, just maybe, Kelman is occasionally right.
An excellent, engaging read, quick and fresh and smart. I wouldn't recommend reading it at the office or while in the same room as your grandma, but I highly suggest reading girls at some point. Well worth the effort.
July 15, 2010
A tough, dirty, and significant, little book. As obnoxious and disgusting, as ruthless and as amoral as the voices of the narration are - it is also nearer to the bone of the truth of inner male dialogue than most are willing to admit to or want to admit to. I certainly wouldn't admit to thinking this dastardly about the fairer sex, especially the nubile targets of the narrator(s) of girls.
Overall this thing is disturbing. Woven throughout is good writing, undeniably interesting, sometimes even sexy and erotic scenes and it is wildly un-put-downable, dragging you through by your own carnal curiousity like an accelerated, 21st Century Lolita. I think I read it in a day and a half, which for me is rabid.
The author, Nic Kelman's background is something to consider here too as he studied science at MIT where he conducted "among other studies, research on the effects of orgasm on problem solving in males." Then went on to Brown University's Creative Writing program where girls became his award winning thesis.
So, there's lots of good science references and you almost don't remember or notice on the first read through, the constant references to The Iliad and The Odyssey which serve as loosely connected/related deviations to the modern scenes. The patchwork narrative format is truly innovative and radical and works. This is a better book the more I think about it.
Overall this thing is disturbing. Woven throughout is good writing, undeniably interesting, sometimes even sexy and erotic scenes and it is wildly un-put-downable, dragging you through by your own carnal curiousity like an accelerated, 21st Century Lolita. I think I read it in a day and a half, which for me is rabid.
The author, Nic Kelman's background is something to consider here too as he studied science at MIT where he conducted "among other studies, research on the effects of orgasm on problem solving in males." Then went on to Brown University's Creative Writing program where girls became his award winning thesis.
So, there's lots of good science references and you almost don't remember or notice on the first read through, the constant references to The Iliad and The Odyssey which serve as loosely connected/related deviations to the modern scenes. The patchwork narrative format is truly innovative and radical and works. This is a better book the more I think about it.
January 2, 2019
This book wasn't good. It had no purpose. It was just porn featuring underage or just barely of age girls that went on for pages and pages in minute detail intermingled with quotes from The Odyssey and Iliad with random "poignant statements" sprinkled in. Make special note of my quotation marks. I think this guy was trying to be meaningful in some way, but he fucking failed at it. It was kind of an entertaining read if you're gross like me and like nasty bullshit, but it was nothing more than that.
The only thing that really made me finish this book was this sense of nostalgia I felt because it gave me a similar vibe to Chuck Palahniuk's older books. He writes complete shit now, but his older books had this masculine-vigilante-don't-give-a-fuck-trying-to-prove-a-point attitude. This book was a lot worse than an old Palahniuk book, don't get me wrong, but it gave me a new book with the same underlying tone and energy that I have long since experienced while reading.
So if you haven't read all of Palahniuk's pre-Snuff books, go read all those before you even glance at this book. If you're an old Palahniuk fan and sick of the bullshit he's putting out now, maybe try this on for size if you're truly desperate.
The only thing that really made me finish this book was this sense of nostalgia I felt because it gave me a similar vibe to Chuck Palahniuk's older books. He writes complete shit now, but his older books had this masculine-vigilante-don't-give-a-fuck-trying-to-prove-a-point attitude. This book was a lot worse than an old Palahniuk book, don't get me wrong, but it gave me a new book with the same underlying tone and energy that I have long since experienced while reading.
So if you haven't read all of Palahniuk's pre-Snuff books, go read all those before you even glance at this book. If you're an old Palahniuk fan and sick of the bullshit he's putting out now, maybe try this on for size if you're truly desperate.
June 15, 2013
Seems to be written by a middle aged man that fantasizes about being rich and successful and desired by young women. If there are people in the world like the men or man in the book or the girls that fall for him/them, then I feel sorry for them. With our world the way it is today, I'm sure there are people this bad. The book made me sad for the broken marriages, families, and people. As far as the writing, it was like a bunch of rambling thoughts or a rambling conversation that continually changed plot, setting, and characters. It was as I said like some pervy guy dreaming up fantasies about a life he desires (a depraved one at that) and then writing them down as he goes.
April 3, 2009
Brutal.
Nobody walks away from this one unscathed. Men will recognize a negative caricature of some of those thoughts we think when no one else is around. Women will recognize those fears they always suspected were true, but never gave voice to them because they were too "over the top".
Women are treated as playthings and shrewish icons while men are painted as depraved life support systems equally devoted to their blind ambitions and their cocks...
It's a broad, dark brush...both true and horribly untrue. Like a train wreck (or that obese woman in ill-advised turquoise spandex bicycle shorts), you can't look away completely...can't help but stare. Short vignettes and pictures are painted for the reader to digest as individual bites or, perhaps, as one larger meal. The pace and perspective shifts can be disorienting at first, but it develops its own flow after a time, despite the incessant, and generally irrelevant, Homerian inserts (Odyssey, Iliad, etc...).
Not for the faint of heart, it sets the tone right away. But not all the men are brutes nor all the women, victims. I wonder if this book is less about how the images and storylines presented show us human nature and more about telling us something about ourselves in how we react to it...
just sayin'...
Nobody walks away from this one unscathed. Men will recognize a negative caricature of some of those thoughts we think when no one else is around. Women will recognize those fears they always suspected were true, but never gave voice to them because they were too "over the top".
Women are treated as playthings and shrewish icons while men are painted as depraved life support systems equally devoted to their blind ambitions and their cocks...
It's a broad, dark brush...both true and horribly untrue. Like a train wreck (or that obese woman in ill-advised turquoise spandex bicycle shorts), you can't look away completely...can't help but stare. Short vignettes and pictures are painted for the reader to digest as individual bites or, perhaps, as one larger meal. The pace and perspective shifts can be disorienting at first, but it develops its own flow after a time, despite the incessant, and generally irrelevant, Homerian inserts (Odyssey, Iliad, etc...).
Not for the faint of heart, it sets the tone right away. But not all the men are brutes nor all the women, victims. I wonder if this book is less about how the images and storylines presented show us human nature and more about telling us something about ourselves in how we react to it...
just sayin'...
December 22, 2015
Erotický román plný důvodů z hlubokému zamyšlení. Mého zamyšlení - protože takhle jsem si muže často představovala; protože mě to nutí si představit, jak by na četbu takové knihy reagovala 13letá holka (nejspíš nijak, nic z toho by nepochopila, byla by to jen erotika). Protože je to vlastně kniha plná věcí, které jsou dost přes čáru, a přesto vás její čtení silně vzrušuje.
Není to vlastně román, ale spíš sled vzpomínek/vyprávěnek/dojmů/představ vyprávěných ve druhé osobě. A vlastně to vůbec není nepříjemné, jak by se mohlo zdát, přestože je tahle forma dost neobvyklá. Naopak to působí jako další efekt, protože vypravěč je takový člověk v pozadí, který to všechno sleduje...
Je to porno nebo je to umění? Je to obžaloba pedofilie, nebo je to její obhajoba? Nedokážu odpovědět na žádnou z otázek, co mi vyvstávaly na mysli, ale vím jedno - že skoro žádná jiný erotická literatura by mě nedokázala donutit tak moc přemýšlet, a vím to, i když nemám moc s čím srovnávat.
Není to vlastně román, ale spíš sled vzpomínek/vyprávěnek/dojmů/představ vyprávěných ve druhé osobě. A vlastně to vůbec není nepříjemné, jak by se mohlo zdát, přestože je tahle forma dost neobvyklá. Naopak to působí jako další efekt, protože vypravěč je takový člověk v pozadí, který to všechno sleduje...
Je to porno nebo je to umění? Je to obžaloba pedofilie, nebo je to její obhajoba? Nedokážu odpovědět na žádnou z otázek, co mi vyvstávaly na mysli, ale vím jedno - že skoro žádná jiný erotická literatura by mě nedokázala donutit tak moc přemýšlet, a vím to, i když nemám moc s čím srovnávat.
February 28, 2018
This book annoyed me, it assumed that all men once they get older will attempt or think about going with young woman, so they can relive their youth. Well I do miss my youth, but I would not act like any of the bastards in this book. The way the book flowed from narrative to narrative was very good, the writing was top notch, but the men you were reading about were very selfish and greedy. Not sure if the book was a realistic as it thought, I personally could not relate to any of the characters. Sorry I cannot really recommend this book.
May 15, 2013
La versione maschile di 100 colpi di spazzola prima di andare a dormire.
Sarebbe anche scritto in modo scorrevole ed accattivante (sebbene un po' sconclusionato), ma i contenuti sono talmente discutibili che la recensione non può che essere pessima!
Il tono del narratore è estremamente irritante, le situazioni descritte spesso assurde o quanto meno improbabili (ma forse non vivendo in quel mondo non lo conosco a sufficienza, fortunatamente!).
Tutto il libro è comunque permeato da un alone misogeno che porta l'autore a vedere le donne solo come sfogo sessuale e da una sottile, ma nemmeno troppo, tendenza alla pedofilia.
Tutto ruota intorno a svariate scene di sesso, spesso volgari più che erotiche o eccitanti come dimostra l'uso, secondo me eccessivo, di termini scurrili e sboccati, come se quello fosse l'unico modo che l'autore conosce per attrarre il lettore e tenerlo avvinto a quelle pagine.
Decisamente un brutto libro.
Sarebbe anche scritto in modo scorrevole ed accattivante (sebbene un po' sconclusionato), ma i contenuti sono talmente discutibili che la recensione non può che essere pessima!
Il tono del narratore è estremamente irritante, le situazioni descritte spesso assurde o quanto meno improbabili (ma forse non vivendo in quel mondo non lo conosco a sufficienza, fortunatamente!).
Tutto il libro è comunque permeato da un alone misogeno che porta l'autore a vedere le donne solo come sfogo sessuale e da una sottile, ma nemmeno troppo, tendenza alla pedofilia.
Tutto ruota intorno a svariate scene di sesso, spesso volgari più che erotiche o eccitanti come dimostra l'uso, secondo me eccessivo, di termini scurrili e sboccati, come se quello fosse l'unico modo che l'autore conosce per attrarre il lettore e tenerlo avvinto a quelle pagine.
Decisamente un brutto libro.
October 25, 2015
A haunting exploration of the male psyche. There were certainly literary aspects of this novel that went over my head. Some passages and thoughts that I breezed over which were probably beautifully written and deep. But the story aspect of the book, the actual narrative, is wonderful. While there are certain parts of the book that are vulgar, certain parts that I didn't relate to, the underlying themes and feelings explored were outstanding. My hope is that someday a friend can read this book and we can talk about where we agreed with this book, where we disagreed, and whether this book applies to all men or just some.
December 11, 2013
Expected a lot more from this one. Found it very disjointed and it wasn't really a novel, rather a series of anecdotes and one-liners, many of which didn't even seem to be relevant to the topic of 'girls'. I didn't really understand the need for, or relevance of, the extracts from The Iliad and The Odyssey etc. which were scattered through the book. I found only a couple of the anecdotes to be entertaining at all. 2/10 is all I can award this one.
October 17, 2023
found this on the floor of a used book store and picked it up cause i thought it was a cute book but was disgusted. If “all men” as stated in the reviews printed on the back of the book genuinely think like this there is no hope for women ✨ or the young girls in this world being preyed on by the eyes of the men who “all want one thing”. fuel for misandry. I feel bad for this man’s wife
February 9, 2013
Utter trash. Middle-aged, rich, sociopathic babies gallivant around the world on private jets and sleep with underage women and complain how nobody gets them, especially their ex-wives. Just terrible.
March 12, 2020
Siempre desconfío de los libros que apelan a "Lolita" de Nabokov en su contraportada. Primero porque respeto inmensamente a ese autor, y considero su obra más conocida una muestra de lo más lejos que puede llegar un escritor con su arte a la hora de crear, tanto a nivel estético-artístico como técnico y psicológico. Una obra maestra sin paliativos. Y segundo, porque cuando se apela a "Lolita" en un libro, lo que se nos suele ofrecer es pseudopornografía efebófila de calidad cuestionable. Cosa que "Lolita" no era. Pero siempre hay excepciones.
"Chicas" de Nic Kelman es una de ellas. Es, sin duda, un libro crudo, sucio. No para todos los paladares. Pero si se lee prestando atención, intentando bucear más allá de lo que aparentemente nos cuenta,es fácil ver todo lo que tiene que ofrecer. Una obra muy bien escrita; innovadora sin caer en la pedantería; con un profundo análisis de la psicología masculina en torno al sexo y (sobre todo y ante todo, aunque pueda parecer que no) del poder en todas sus formas. Kelman se introduce en los cerebros de hombres con poder (sea cual sea) y analiza cómo canalizan sus acciones a través de la sexualidad. No les juzga ni les apoya, sencillamente pide prestados sus ojos y sus pensamientos, igual que Nabokov le pidió prestados los suyos a un pederasta como Humbert Humbert. No había (aparentemente) respuestas a las grandes preguntas morales en "Lolita". Tampoco las hay en "Chicas". Y es mejor así.
En definitiva, una muy grata sorpresa para ser un libro desconocido hallado entre los descartes de una librería de viejo. Si Kelman fuese un autor más experimentado le hubiese dejado en cuatro estrellas, pero teniendo en cuenta que, además, ésta fue su primera novela (y tesis doctoral), le cedo las cinco de buena gana.
"Chicas" de Nic Kelman es una de ellas. Es, sin duda, un libro crudo, sucio. No para todos los paladares. Pero si se lee prestando atención, intentando bucear más allá de lo que aparentemente nos cuenta,es fácil ver todo lo que tiene que ofrecer. Una obra muy bien escrita; innovadora sin caer en la pedantería; con un profundo análisis de la psicología masculina en torno al sexo y (sobre todo y ante todo, aunque pueda parecer que no) del poder en todas sus formas. Kelman se introduce en los cerebros de hombres con poder (sea cual sea) y analiza cómo canalizan sus acciones a través de la sexualidad. No les juzga ni les apoya, sencillamente pide prestados sus ojos y sus pensamientos, igual que Nabokov le pidió prestados los suyos a un pederasta como Humbert Humbert. No había (aparentemente) respuestas a las grandes preguntas morales en "Lolita". Tampoco las hay en "Chicas". Y es mejor así.
En definitiva, una muy grata sorpresa para ser un libro desconocido hallado entre los descartes de una librería de viejo. Si Kelman fuese un autor más experimentado le hubiese dejado en cuatro estrellas, pero teniendo en cuenta que, además, ésta fue su primera novela (y tesis doctoral), le cedo las cinco de buena gana.
February 7, 2015
Když jsem tu knihu četl, měl jsem pocit, že konečně někdo dokázal beze strachu a výčitek popsat, co někdy opravdu chceme. Že láska je fajn, ale někdy se nehodí do tohoto světa. Že všechnu tu bolest a únavu, kterou dobrovolně neseme jako přívažek našeho úspěchu, musíme občas směnit za opojení poskytnuté lehkostí plynoucí z moci a bohatství. Že dobré vychování je někdy na překážku a stejně tak snaha o empatii. Že nerozumět někdy znamená chápat a neptat se tázat. Těch pár vět je z černých stránek našich duší; máme to v sobě, my dobývači ztracených bitev, každý to někde v sobě máme…
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„Čau brouku!“ řekne, šťastná, že ses jí ozval. „Tak jak to jde? Jaký to tam je?“
Otevřeš ústa, ale nevíš, co odpovědět. Máš pocit, že chceš rozhřešení, takže jí vyprávíš, co se toho dne stalo. Ale když ti dá rozhřešení, prohlásí, že jsi udělal, co jsi udělat musel, uvědomíš si, že o tohle vůbec nešlo. Nechtěl jsi, aby ti řekla, že jsi udělal správně, bylo ti fuk, jestli si myslí, že jsi udělal správně nebo ne, protože ty už jsi věděl, že to bylo správně, prostě jsi chtěl, aby řekla: „Já vím, jaké to je.“
Ale to ona samozřejmě říct nemůže, nikdy to neřekne. A kdyby to snad dokázala, pak už bys s ní nemohl být. Pak by vás to oba přestalo bavit. Pak by se z ní stala lepší přítelkyně, ale horší milenka.
Chtěl bys ji celou pozřít. Nemůžeš se nabažit její chuti ve svých ústech – její šíje, paží, břicha. Mohl bys jí lízat pekáč celé hodiny. Své přítelkyni jsi to vždycky dělal, abys byl fér. Ona ti ho kouřila, tak jsi ji vylízal, nebo jsi ji vylízal, protože jsi chtěl, aby ti ho kouřila.
Z jakéhosi důvodu je skutečnost, že tu věc vlastně spotřebuješ, představa, že už nikdy jiný nemůže mít přesně to, co jsi měl ty, neuvěřitelně vzrušující. Je to přesně týž pocit, který zažíváš, když o samotě vypiješ jedinečnou láhev vzácného vína. To všichni chápou, ne?
…
A jak běží čas, potěší tě, když si všimneš, že ke konci se situace zase změnila, že ke konci se holky tak soustředí jedna na druhou, tolik je zaujaly francouzské polibky, že se na tebe přestaly dívat docela. Ke konci si s uspokojením všimneš, že když jedna zasune té druhé stehno mezi nohy a pak je vytáhne, noha se zaleskne.
Ležíš a zíráš tam, kde by ve tmě byl strop, a uvědomíš si, že vedle tebe někdo je. Jenže nevíš, kdo to je. Nebyl jsi ani tak opilý. Jako vždycky bylo několik kandidátek – stážistky, neúspěšné herečky, mladší sestry. Nemohly se dočkat, až si s tebou popovídají, vyslechnou tě, zjistí, jak jsi okouzlující. A teď jedna z nich leží vedle tebe. S určitostí víš, že je o polovinu mladší než ty. Ale to je všechno, co víš. Její obličej, její jméno, její tělo zmizely.
A sám na sebe se zlobíš za svou slabost, za to, že sis tu drogu vzal znova, že jsi vykouřil cigaretu, kterou sis měl odříct. Přeješ si, aby tam nebyla, ať už je kdokoli.
Ale potom jich přišlo ještě daleko víc, daleko víc otázek, na které jsem nedokázal odpovědět, otázek, které jsi mi vždycky položila po milování, otázek, které zjevně otravovaly tvou mysl celé dny nebo týdny. Otázek jako například: „Kdybych si domů přivedla jinou holku, spal bys s ní?“ Otázek jako například: „Kdyby mě někdo unesl, jak dlouho bys čekal, než by ses vyspal s někým jiným?“ Otázek jako například: „Jak moc mě miluješ?“
Kde se jen ty otázky vzaly? Vyplynuly ze strachu nebo z očekávání nebo z obou nebo z něčeho úplně jiného? Proč jsi mi ty otázky kladla, když jsi nechtěla slyšet odpovědi? Proč jsi mě naučila, abych ti lhal?
Na univerzitě bys nikdy neměl odvahu požádat tuhle holku o telefonní číslo. Teď, příštího dne ráno, když ví, že ten den odjíždíš, ti dá číslo dobrovolně – číslo na mobil, jak zdůrazní, to nejosobnější z jejích čísel. Musí tě požádat o tvoje. Dáš ji navštívenku, řekneš jí, že to je nejjednodušší způsob, jak tě sehnat.
Ale když o dva týdny později zavolá, a pak ještě jednou o další dva týdny později, nezvedneš telefon. Ztratíš zájem, když už jsi ji jednou ošoustal. Ta její neposkvrněná část byla tak malinká, že stála jen za jednu noc. Za víc ne.
A spíš tak tvrdě, že se toho rána neprobudíš, když se vzbudí tvá přítelkyně. Spíš, když se na tebe usměje a políbí tě lehce na čelo a vstane, aby si došla na záchod. Spíš, když přistihne Claye, jak stojí v koupelně nahý a myje si obličej, psa u nohou. Spíš, když se na sebe podívají a stydlivě se usmějí. Spíš, když ona neodolá a podívá se mu mezi nohy, když zase vzhlédne a zjistí, že se na ni Clay zase dívá, ovšem už ne stydlivě. Spíš, když vyžene psa, který se nechce hnout, z koupelny, když si dělá místo, aby si klekla. Spíš, když, přestože tvé sperma vždycky vyplivla a vždycky je bude vyplivovat, vždycky si je nechá stéct po bradě, aby ti to vynahradila, teď nejen polkne, ale ještě zavrní, když se ten pták v její puse přestane škubat. A pořád ještě budeš spát, když vstane a tiše zaprosí: „Neříkej mu o tom, jo?“
Nikdy s nimi nemluvíš o práci, nikdy nemluvíš o tom, na co myslíš nejvíc a nejčastěji, ne proto, že by to nepochopily, ne proto, že by je to nudilo, ne proto, že by ti ve své naivitě vynadaly za tvé zvyky, za tvá vítězství, za to, že jsi shromáždil bohatství, jehož si právě v tu chvíli užívají, ale proto, že by je to zkazilo, pošpinilo, zrovna jako to zkazilo tu první, tu, kolem které ses motal nejdéle, tu, kterou jsi omylem považoval za lásku.
A dokonce i ty nejhezčí holky, s nimiž spíme, ty, které nám připadají nejvíce okouzlující, ty, na které se nás ptají naše rodiny, jako třeba: „Co se stalo s Jenni – ta byla úžasná, ne?“, dokonce i tyhle holky jsou rády, když je v posteli zneužíváme. Ano, zneužíváme. Dokonce i ony se nás ptávají: „Jsem coura? Tvoje děvka? Tvoje špinavá kurva?“ a pak se otřesou, když řekneš: „Jo… jo.“ Dokonce i ony po nás chtějí, abychom je svázali, zavázali jim oči, použili je.
A když se jim to nelíbí, když ta slova vyslovíš a ony se přestanou hýbat, zakryjí si pusu rukou, řeknou: „To neříkej – to slovo neříkej – to se mi nelíbí,“ když říkají, že nechtějí zkoušet, jaké to je, být připoutaná želízky k věšáku na ručníky v koupelně, pak v posteli za nic nestojí. Možná jsou inteligentní. Možná jsou milé. Možná jsou pohotové, okouzlující, atd., atd. Možná podnikají cosi za osvobození žen (od čeho? od koho?), ale v posteli nikdy za nic nestojí.
Dobrý sex nemá s rovnoprávností nic společného.
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„Čau brouku!“ řekne, šťastná, že ses jí ozval. „Tak jak to jde? Jaký to tam je?“
Otevřeš ústa, ale nevíš, co odpovědět. Máš pocit, že chceš rozhřešení, takže jí vyprávíš, co se toho dne stalo. Ale když ti dá rozhřešení, prohlásí, že jsi udělal, co jsi udělat musel, uvědomíš si, že o tohle vůbec nešlo. Nechtěl jsi, aby ti řekla, že jsi udělal správně, bylo ti fuk, jestli si myslí, že jsi udělal správně nebo ne, protože ty už jsi věděl, že to bylo správně, prostě jsi chtěl, aby řekla: „Já vím, jaké to je.“
Ale to ona samozřejmě říct nemůže, nikdy to neřekne. A kdyby to snad dokázala, pak už bys s ní nemohl být. Pak by vás to oba přestalo bavit. Pak by se z ní stala lepší přítelkyně, ale horší milenka.
Chtěl bys ji celou pozřít. Nemůžeš se nabažit její chuti ve svých ústech – její šíje, paží, břicha. Mohl bys jí lízat pekáč celé hodiny. Své přítelkyni jsi to vždycky dělal, abys byl fér. Ona ti ho kouřila, tak jsi ji vylízal, nebo jsi ji vylízal, protože jsi chtěl, aby ti ho kouřila.
Z jakéhosi důvodu je skutečnost, že tu věc vlastně spotřebuješ, představa, že už nikdy jiný nemůže mít přesně to, co jsi měl ty, neuvěřitelně vzrušující. Je to přesně týž pocit, který zažíváš, když o samotě vypiješ jedinečnou láhev vzácného vína. To všichni chápou, ne?
…
A jak běží čas, potěší tě, když si všimneš, že ke konci se situace zase změnila, že ke konci se holky tak soustředí jedna na druhou, tolik je zaujaly francouzské polibky, že se na tebe přestaly dívat docela. Ke konci si s uspokojením všimneš, že když jedna zasune té druhé stehno mezi nohy a pak je vytáhne, noha se zaleskne.
Ležíš a zíráš tam, kde by ve tmě byl strop, a uvědomíš si, že vedle tebe někdo je. Jenže nevíš, kdo to je. Nebyl jsi ani tak opilý. Jako vždycky bylo několik kandidátek – stážistky, neúspěšné herečky, mladší sestry. Nemohly se dočkat, až si s tebou popovídají, vyslechnou tě, zjistí, jak jsi okouzlující. A teď jedna z nich leží vedle tebe. S určitostí víš, že je o polovinu mladší než ty. Ale to je všechno, co víš. Její obličej, její jméno, její tělo zmizely.
A sám na sebe se zlobíš za svou slabost, za to, že sis tu drogu vzal znova, že jsi vykouřil cigaretu, kterou sis měl odříct. Přeješ si, aby tam nebyla, ať už je kdokoli.
Ale potom jich přišlo ještě daleko víc, daleko víc otázek, na které jsem nedokázal odpovědět, otázek, které jsi mi vždycky položila po milování, otázek, které zjevně otravovaly tvou mysl celé dny nebo týdny. Otázek jako například: „Kdybych si domů přivedla jinou holku, spal bys s ní?“ Otázek jako například: „Kdyby mě někdo unesl, jak dlouho bys čekal, než by ses vyspal s někým jiným?“ Otázek jako například: „Jak moc mě miluješ?“
Kde se jen ty otázky vzaly? Vyplynuly ze strachu nebo z očekávání nebo z obou nebo z něčeho úplně jiného? Proč jsi mi ty otázky kladla, když jsi nechtěla slyšet odpovědi? Proč jsi mě naučila, abych ti lhal?
Na univerzitě bys nikdy neměl odvahu požádat tuhle holku o telefonní číslo. Teď, příštího dne ráno, když ví, že ten den odjíždíš, ti dá číslo dobrovolně – číslo na mobil, jak zdůrazní, to nejosobnější z jejích čísel. Musí tě požádat o tvoje. Dáš ji navštívenku, řekneš jí, že to je nejjednodušší způsob, jak tě sehnat.
Ale když o dva týdny později zavolá, a pak ještě jednou o další dva týdny později, nezvedneš telefon. Ztratíš zájem, když už jsi ji jednou ošoustal. Ta její neposkvrněná část byla tak malinká, že stála jen za jednu noc. Za víc ne.
A spíš tak tvrdě, že se toho rána neprobudíš, když se vzbudí tvá přítelkyně. Spíš, když se na tebe usměje a políbí tě lehce na čelo a vstane, aby si došla na záchod. Spíš, když přistihne Claye, jak stojí v koupelně nahý a myje si obličej, psa u nohou. Spíš, když se na sebe podívají a stydlivě se usmějí. Spíš, když ona neodolá a podívá se mu mezi nohy, když zase vzhlédne a zjistí, že se na ni Clay zase dívá, ovšem už ne stydlivě. Spíš, když vyžene psa, který se nechce hnout, z koupelny, když si dělá místo, aby si klekla. Spíš, když, přestože tvé sperma vždycky vyplivla a vždycky je bude vyplivovat, vždycky si je nechá stéct po bradě, aby ti to vynahradila, teď nejen polkne, ale ještě zavrní, když se ten pták v její puse přestane škubat. A pořád ještě budeš spát, když vstane a tiše zaprosí: „Neříkej mu o tom, jo?“
Nikdy s nimi nemluvíš o práci, nikdy nemluvíš o tom, na co myslíš nejvíc a nejčastěji, ne proto, že by to nepochopily, ne proto, že by je to nudilo, ne proto, že by ti ve své naivitě vynadaly za tvé zvyky, za tvá vítězství, za to, že jsi shromáždil bohatství, jehož si právě v tu chvíli užívají, ale proto, že by je to zkazilo, pošpinilo, zrovna jako to zkazilo tu první, tu, kolem které ses motal nejdéle, tu, kterou jsi omylem považoval za lásku.
A dokonce i ty nejhezčí holky, s nimiž spíme, ty, které nám připadají nejvíce okouzlující, ty, na které se nás ptají naše rodiny, jako třeba: „Co se stalo s Jenni – ta byla úžasná, ne?“, dokonce i tyhle holky jsou rády, když je v posteli zneužíváme. Ano, zneužíváme. Dokonce i ony se nás ptávají: „Jsem coura? Tvoje děvka? Tvoje špinavá kurva?“ a pak se otřesou, když řekneš: „Jo… jo.“ Dokonce i ony po nás chtějí, abychom je svázali, zavázali jim oči, použili je.
A když se jim to nelíbí, když ta slova vyslovíš a ony se přestanou hýbat, zakryjí si pusu rukou, řeknou: „To neříkej – to slovo neříkej – to se mi nelíbí,“ když říkají, že nechtějí zkoušet, jaké to je, být připoutaná želízky k věšáku na ručníky v koupelně, pak v posteli za nic nestojí. Možná jsou inteligentní. Možná jsou milé. Možná jsou pohotové, okouzlující, atd., atd. Možná podnikají cosi za osvobození žen (od čeho? od koho?), ale v posteli nikdy za nic nestojí.
Dobrý sex nemá s rovnoprávností nic společného.
November 29, 2023
DNF @50%.
theres parts that were good, but that wasnt much of it
theres parts that were good, but that wasnt much of it
October 10, 2024
2.75
It was fine for me. The perspective from a rich and horndog man.
It was fine for me. The perspective from a rich and horndog man.
January 7, 2014
I came to this book as a result of a review I read that described it as a modern day "Lolita." It's not that. I'm not even sure I'd call it a novel. If it is a novel, it's emplotment is very complex. It is built around several longish vignettes-all between 5 and 16 pages-that are related by theme, if nothing else. The use of a second person narrator throughout often makes it difficult to determine whether he's talking about the same character. Most of the characters are very rich, and think themselves very powerful. It's only when he describes one of his contra characters, a photographer, for example, that you "know" he's describing the experiences of a different character. His preoccupation with using "maybe" and "perhaps," as if to avoid admitting any of his characters' crimes-- which is what sex with a sixteen year old is in most places-leads the reader to doubt whether he's faithfully describing events that actually occurred. In like manner, he often shifts, within the vignettes, from the second person narrator to the third. Between the vignettes, he uses a cornucopia of aphorisms and quotes from the Iliad, Odyssey and Aeneid to illustrate the timelessness of his themes-I guess, as sometimes the quotes don't fit with the events described. He also likes to describe the evolution of words like "love" and "cock," for example. It's during these often interesting interludes that one doubts that Kelman has written a novel, and not a Pillow Book a la Sei Shonagon. Several times I found myself chuckling at the pretentiousness of his "rich men," as I thought "all that money, and this is what they do with it? How pathetic!" It's clear Kelman is a talented writer, willing to experiment. I look forward to the time when he uses his talent on a subject with more depth, and less bodily fluids.
February 23, 2008
Even though I read this book three years ago, I still think about it occasionally. Disturbing is the only word that I can come up with that conveys the open mouthed revulsion which compelled me to read this in one night. It's like a car crash you can't look away from and I passed it around to both female and male friends for months after reading it, because it was somehow satisfying to see the glazed look of either (in men's case) guilty resonance, or in women's case revulsion and fascination.
I think what I liked about it was the way it so single mindedly (and unapologetically)represents this very jaded version of male sexuality. It's obviously a stereotype but we all know it's out there in some form or another in our brothers, fathers, friends and partners.
I think what I liked about it was the way it so single mindedly (and unapologetically)represents this very jaded version of male sexuality. It's obviously a stereotype but we all know it's out there in some form or another in our brothers, fathers, friends and partners.
December 19, 2012
Reminded me very much of Michel Houellebecq, which is high priase.
The book is written with no chapters. Just a series of paragraphs - some contain stories of men - sleeping with Thai prostitutes and doing unsavory things to them and feeling soiled in the morning, sleeping with Students, sleeping with friends underage daughters. The theme is that all men crave youth and the powerful men can attain it.
Interspersed with these stories are facts to back up the story and quotes from Homer, which add lots of interest and the necessary literary credendentials to avoid it being sensationalist.
An excellent, excellent book.
The book is written with no chapters. Just a series of paragraphs - some contain stories of men - sleeping with Thai prostitutes and doing unsavory things to them and feeling soiled in the morning, sleeping with Students, sleeping with friends underage daughters. The theme is that all men crave youth and the powerful men can attain it.
Interspersed with these stories are facts to back up the story and quotes from Homer, which add lots of interest and the necessary literary credendentials to avoid it being sensationalist.
An excellent, excellent book.
July 4, 2010
Deeply unsettling. Shined a light into my shadows.
Possibly the dirtiest book I've ever read. You really can't overestimate the explicit depth of the discussions of sexuality. An unnerving turn-on.
Important because such naked examinations of male sexuality are almost non-existent. Mailer. Roth. Miller (especially). David Guy. And this Nic Kelman, who'll probably never write anything like it again.
Possibly the dirtiest book I've ever read. You really can't overestimate the explicit depth of the discussions of sexuality. An unnerving turn-on.
Important because such naked examinations of male sexuality are almost non-existent. Mailer. Roth. Miller (especially). David Guy. And this Nic Kelman, who'll probably never write anything like it again.
February 19, 2018
Tohle bylo fajn. Útlá záležitost, se kterou strávíte víkend.
O tom, jakou moc mají muži s penězi, o tom, co si všechno můžou dovolit. A opět věčné lolitovské téma. Co nás na tom tak fascinuje?
Nejprve mě iritovala du-forma, pak mě iritovaly úryvky z Ilias a Odyssea, ale nakonec jsem se nechala vtáhnout.
O tom, jakou moc mají muži s penězi, o tom, co si všechno můžou dovolit. A opět věčné lolitovské téma. Co nás na tom tak fascinuje?
Nejprve mě iritovala du-forma, pak mě iritovaly úryvky z Ilias a Odyssea, ale nakonec jsem se nechala vtáhnout.
November 10, 2018
I liked some of the stories - but I hated the lay out of the books and found myself skipping the Iliad and Odyssey parts - just because they didn’t flow for me. I felt the book was all over the place and wish it was separated more between stories. Just seemed chaotic.
November 2, 2020
Here for the Dragonlance. Love potion anyone?
Stayed to suppport creative freedom...even when it's uncomfortable.
Not the best book...but the author would best be served to stand for himself, other authors, and the ability to craft a story as you need to.
Stayed to suppport creative freedom...even when it's uncomfortable.
Not the best book...but the author would best be served to stand for himself, other authors, and the ability to craft a story as you need to.
November 28, 2011
In una parola:ripugnante.
January 4, 2020
The book had more lows than highs. Not particularly enjoyable.
November 16, 2020
La dura verità
Le donne si lamentano che gli uomini non le capiscono, e loro non riescono a capire gli uomini. Si lamentano che gli uomini non esprimono le loro emozioni, i loro desideri, ma se questi desideri li esprimono, lo fanno nel modo sbagliato e con le persone sbagliate. Poi, quando - finalmente - qualcuno apre lo scrigno, fa quella riflessione e quell’autocoscienza a cui le donne sono aduse da decenni, allora neppure questo va bene, perché dice ed esprime cose scomode, troppo lontane da quello che le donne vorrebbero sentirsi dire.
Per cui, da un lato ci sono persone come Isabel Losada, lacerate tra il desiderio di capire e l’idea di un uomo perfetto che non riescono a capire. Dall’altro ci sono persone come Francesco Piccolo in “La separazione del maschio”, o come l’autore di questo libro, che fanno la famigerata riflessione sull’identità di genere ma finiscono per dire cose scomode, quelle cose che le donne, o almeno alcune di esse, preferirebbero non sentirsi dire. Ed è per questo che poi, su Anobii o altrove, partono le invettive, le accuse di ridicolo, i sorrisetti ironici, lo sguardo scandalizzato. Ma scusate, non eravate voi che volevate sentire gli uomini esprimere quello che hanno dentro?
Libro di un autore da me mai sentito, trovato in un mercatino dell’usato e acquistato per un euro dopo una rapida sfogliata, e poi apprezzato perché mantiene quello che promette. In effetti pensavo fosse un romanzo; ben presto però ho scoperto che è piuttosto una raccolta di riflessioni, racconti, aforismi allungati, pensieri sparsi. Lo scenario è quello della grande ricchezza e del grande business americano; tuttavia, a differenza dei libri - generalmente del genere rosa-erotico - che mi sono passati tra le mani e che parlano di quel mondo nei termini che potrebbe usare solo chi non se ne è mai nemmeno avvicinato, in questo caso l’autore sembra averne decisamente dimestichezza.La scoperta inattesa è che in queste narrazioni c’è molto dolore, molta sofferenza, la consapevolezza di star giocando un gioco pesantissimo, un darwinismo sociale continuo che non lascia alternative tra il mangiare e l’essere mangiati, una guerra decisa da altri - forse per questo qua e là le riflessioni sono intercalate da righe prese dall’Iliade, un classico dove gli eroi non possono essere che eroi perché il loro destino è stato deciso dall’alto e altrove - e soprattutto, sempre, moltissima paura. La paura di perdere tutto: la ricchezza, la faccia, la moglie - e con le mogli e le donne in genere si recita ugualmente una parte, nemmeno con loro ci possono essere momenti di sincerità perché spesso anche per loro l’amore non è altro che un mezzo per raggiungere un fine - i soldi, il matrimonio di prestigio. Tanto da arrivare, qua e là, a invidiare quelli che queste cose non le hanno mai avute e proprio per questo non rischieranno mai di perderle.
Agli episodi della riflessione e della paura si alternano quelli del desiderio. Desiderio che sistematicamente si appunta su ragazze giovani e giovanissime, e non a caso il romanzo più citato nella narrazione è Lolita; ragazze il più possibile giovani di cui si apprezza la purezza, la dimensione ancora giocosa, non corrotta, non prostituita, ma nello stesso tempo nei confronti delle quali il massimo piacere e la massima perversione è proprio interrompere la giocosità, derubarne la purezza, approfittare del proprio ruolo di uomini maturi e fascinosi, cedere al desiderio della figlia del migliore amico, costringere due giovanissime spogliarelliste a far l’amore tra loro e loro, che non lo avevano mai fatto, ci trovano un gusto grandioso e diventano pronte a una nuova vita, ma intanto la loro innocenza è andata perduta, e il massimo piacere sta proprio in questa distruzione dell’innocenza. O lasciare che una importante fotomodella ormai in via di decadenza, sedotta dal proprio ruolo di soldi e di potere, si illuda di poter costruire qualcosa con voi, salvo farle pagare per tutte le ragazze che al college nemmeno si accorgevano della vostra esistenza.
(Poi, è chiaro che non è sempre così per tutti e ovunque. Ma certo questa narrazione è più vicina alla realtà di quella che sogna di grandi passioni e grandi amori sempiterni e del tutto avulsi dal contesto).
Le donne si lamentano che gli uomini non le capiscono, e loro non riescono a capire gli uomini. Si lamentano che gli uomini non esprimono le loro emozioni, i loro desideri, ma se questi desideri li esprimono, lo fanno nel modo sbagliato e con le persone sbagliate. Poi, quando - finalmente - qualcuno apre lo scrigno, fa quella riflessione e quell’autocoscienza a cui le donne sono aduse da decenni, allora neppure questo va bene, perché dice ed esprime cose scomode, troppo lontane da quello che le donne vorrebbero sentirsi dire.
Per cui, da un lato ci sono persone come Isabel Losada, lacerate tra il desiderio di capire e l’idea di un uomo perfetto che non riescono a capire. Dall’altro ci sono persone come Francesco Piccolo in “La separazione del maschio”, o come l’autore di questo libro, che fanno la famigerata riflessione sull’identità di genere ma finiscono per dire cose scomode, quelle cose che le donne, o almeno alcune di esse, preferirebbero non sentirsi dire. Ed è per questo che poi, su Anobii o altrove, partono le invettive, le accuse di ridicolo, i sorrisetti ironici, lo sguardo scandalizzato. Ma scusate, non eravate voi che volevate sentire gli uomini esprimere quello che hanno dentro?
Libro di un autore da me mai sentito, trovato in un mercatino dell’usato e acquistato per un euro dopo una rapida sfogliata, e poi apprezzato perché mantiene quello che promette. In effetti pensavo fosse un romanzo; ben presto però ho scoperto che è piuttosto una raccolta di riflessioni, racconti, aforismi allungati, pensieri sparsi. Lo scenario è quello della grande ricchezza e del grande business americano; tuttavia, a differenza dei libri - generalmente del genere rosa-erotico - che mi sono passati tra le mani e che parlano di quel mondo nei termini che potrebbe usare solo chi non se ne è mai nemmeno avvicinato, in questo caso l’autore sembra averne decisamente dimestichezza.La scoperta inattesa è che in queste narrazioni c’è molto dolore, molta sofferenza, la consapevolezza di star giocando un gioco pesantissimo, un darwinismo sociale continuo che non lascia alternative tra il mangiare e l’essere mangiati, una guerra decisa da altri - forse per questo qua e là le riflessioni sono intercalate da righe prese dall’Iliade, un classico dove gli eroi non possono essere che eroi perché il loro destino è stato deciso dall’alto e altrove - e soprattutto, sempre, moltissima paura. La paura di perdere tutto: la ricchezza, la faccia, la moglie - e con le mogli e le donne in genere si recita ugualmente una parte, nemmeno con loro ci possono essere momenti di sincerità perché spesso anche per loro l’amore non è altro che un mezzo per raggiungere un fine - i soldi, il matrimonio di prestigio. Tanto da arrivare, qua e là, a invidiare quelli che queste cose non le hanno mai avute e proprio per questo non rischieranno mai di perderle.
Agli episodi della riflessione e della paura si alternano quelli del desiderio. Desiderio che sistematicamente si appunta su ragazze giovani e giovanissime, e non a caso il romanzo più citato nella narrazione è Lolita; ragazze il più possibile giovani di cui si apprezza la purezza, la dimensione ancora giocosa, non corrotta, non prostituita, ma nello stesso tempo nei confronti delle quali il massimo piacere e la massima perversione è proprio interrompere la giocosità, derubarne la purezza, approfittare del proprio ruolo di uomini maturi e fascinosi, cedere al desiderio della figlia del migliore amico, costringere due giovanissime spogliarelliste a far l’amore tra loro e loro, che non lo avevano mai fatto, ci trovano un gusto grandioso e diventano pronte a una nuova vita, ma intanto la loro innocenza è andata perduta, e il massimo piacere sta proprio in questa distruzione dell’innocenza. O lasciare che una importante fotomodella ormai in via di decadenza, sedotta dal proprio ruolo di soldi e di potere, si illuda di poter costruire qualcosa con voi, salvo farle pagare per tutte le ragazze che al college nemmeno si accorgevano della vostra esistenza.
(Poi, è chiaro che non è sempre così per tutti e ovunque. Ma certo questa narrazione è più vicina alla realtà di quella che sogna di grandi passioni e grandi amori sempiterni e del tutto avulsi dal contesto).
August 29, 2025
Este libro se autocompara a si mismo como Lolita, pero personalmente creo que no tiene nada que ver. No es que Lolita sea santo de mi devoción pero tengo entendido que dentro de esa manera cariñosa y romántica de narración es donde está el horror, pues te hace ver lo bonito del lenguaje mientras narra algo desagradable. Y incluso deja lugar a la reflexión.
Pero es que esté libro, que decir de él, son historias aleatorias. Donde lo único que expresa es su constante obsesión, por las mujeres y luego por las niñas, por arrebatar esa inocencia, por tener algo que nadie más tendrá la oportunidad de tener. El lenguaje es crudo y explícito.
No te hace falta pensar mientras lees. Encima entre historias te menten fragmentos de la Ilíada que sinceramente no he visto que conecten.
Solo hay estereotipos y obsesiones, es un poco morbo constante. No sé si será así de vacío el deseo masculino.
Le pongo tres estrellas porque su lectura en si no me ha desagradado, porque bueno es morboso, fácil y rápido de leer. Creo que está un poco pensado para atrapar. No le daría más porque es muy superficial y le falta un poco de profundidad.
Y bueno veo que el libro intenta ser una provocación en general.
Pero es que esté libro, que decir de él, son historias aleatorias. Donde lo único que expresa es su constante obsesión, por las mujeres y luego por las niñas, por arrebatar esa inocencia, por tener algo que nadie más tendrá la oportunidad de tener. El lenguaje es crudo y explícito.
No te hace falta pensar mientras lees. Encima entre historias te menten fragmentos de la Ilíada que sinceramente no he visto que conecten.
Solo hay estereotipos y obsesiones, es un poco morbo constante. No sé si será así de vacío el deseo masculino.
Le pongo tres estrellas porque su lectura en si no me ha desagradado, porque bueno es morboso, fácil y rápido de leer. Creo que está un poco pensado para atrapar. No le daría más porque es muy superficial y le falta un poco de profundidad.
Y bueno veo que el libro intenta ser una provocación en general.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2023
Holky pro mě jsou takovým čtenářským oříškem... na jedné straně kniha obsahuje celou řadu zajímavých myšlenek a dle mého názoru dobře vystihuje mužský pohled na vztahy, motivaci... mužský čtenář možná autorovi v řadě věcí přitaká, ženské čtenářky budou možná rozčarované, ale pokud připustí, že kniha může skutečně odrážet realitu, možná svým mužským polvičkám lépe porozumí.
Bohužel musím také uvést, že forma, kterou je kniha psaná, byla sice originální, ale mně ně zcela vyhovovala - přeskakování v ději, prokládání pasážemi z Homéra nebo etymologickými vsuvkami... Vše dohromady tvořilo literární koláž, která sice dávala smysl a jednotlivé střípky měly své opodstatnění, ale udržet při čtení delší dobu pozornost nebylo jednoduché. Pokud čekáte gradující zápletku, zkuste spíše jiné dílo, tato kniha je spíš koláží - sondou do života jednoho člověka a jeho přístupu (nejen) k ženám. Knihu doporučuji, ale nejde o lehké, oddechové čtení.
Bohužel musím také uvést, že forma, kterou je kniha psaná, byla sice originální, ale mně ně zcela vyhovovala - přeskakování v ději, prokládání pasážemi z Homéra nebo etymologickými vsuvkami... Vše dohromady tvořilo literární koláž, která sice dávala smysl a jednotlivé střípky měly své opodstatnění, ale udržet při čtení delší dobu pozornost nebylo jednoduché. Pokud čekáte gradující zápletku, zkuste spíše jiné dílo, tato kniha je spíš koláží - sondou do života jednoho člověka a jeho přístupu (nejen) k ženám. Knihu doporučuji, ale nejde o lehké, oddechové čtení.
June 12, 2022
One of the most striking aspects of this book is that it is written in the little used second-person. This gives it an almost accusatory tone, like a court-room cross-examination -- e.g. suppose you had a girlfriend who was a teenager. And suppose you took her out to the most expensive restaurant in New York... etc. [not a real quote]. Perhaps this is what the author is in effect doing: putting men in the dock and asking them to imagine embodying the worst in toxic masculinity. Asking them how they would behave in these situations. Overall, the effect is troubling: can men really claim that deep down they wouldn't share some of egregious protagonist's thoughts towards women and society?
Like others here, I didn't get on with the Homer quotations at all; they just didn't seem to add anything to the surrounding passages, and came off as pretentious. Overall, an interesting, if somewhat scattershot rumination on male fantasy and desire.
Like others here, I didn't get on with the Homer quotations at all; they just didn't seem to add anything to the surrounding passages, and came off as pretentious. Overall, an interesting, if somewhat scattershot rumination on male fantasy and desire.
March 2, 2025
6,5 per girls di Kelman. Mi aspettavo qualcosa di più profondo di un uomo che si confronta con pensieri sporcaccioni verso le ragazzine. Però alcuni pezzi sul risentimento verso le donne ed il pensiero patriarcale del suo personaggio sono davvero interessanti ed effettivamente rendono reale e moderno questo maschio qualsiasi protagonista del libro.
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