Mike Kleine’s Reviews > Homesick for Another World > Status Update
Mike Kleine
is on page 89 of 294
Story #5: A DARK AND WINDING ROAD. Similar in feels to #4. Best parts occur as a main character becomes introspective and we (as the readers) find out a whole mess of stuff. There's a sort of familiarity that manifests itself in the style of: these are the sorts of things we all think about but never talk about, when the characters think & imagine things. And it's nice to see stuff like this happening w/ the stories.
— Feb 18, 2017 10:03PM
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Mike Kleine
is on page 169 of 294
1/3 of the way thru THE BEACH BOY and I have to say, this is the most heart-wrenching so far. The two main characters, I know a few people like them, so reading how much I have read so far, I kept thinking, "I want to show them this story and ask them, what's it like being like these people in the story." Again, the introspective parts, which make 90% of Moshfegh's stories are ON POINT!
— Feb 20, 2017 01:28PM
Mike Kleine
is on page 159 of 294
The sleaziest story, of the bunch, maybe--feat. an old man and a pretty young girl as neighbors. Ms. Moshfegh has something about sex & teeth. It's in basically all the stories so far. While the message is presented in a deliberately roundabout way, I think it will resonate with, oh so many people. I might even say, as far as "feels" go, this might be the story I liked the most. Maybe 1st or 2nd place for this one.
— Feb 20, 2017 09:22AM
Mike Kleine
is on page 133 of 294
I did not like this story at first. See, it's more about the location than the main character. But then, it transforms into this beautiful tale about escape. My favorite story so far. Not sure if it's because it's different from the others or because it's legit. Cannot wait to keep reading!!!
— Feb 18, 2017 11:39PM
Mike Kleine
is on page 109 of 294
Story 6 is about an elderly man who takes care of special needs adults. What I appreciate about Ms. Moshfegh is that she uses a word like "retarded" and it doesn't cause the commotion and hubbub that is expected. It's like when someone says, "Mexican" and people gasp. Context is everything. And I do not think I would ever use the word "sad" to describe any of these stories. More, they feel real & true & authentic.
— Feb 18, 2017 10:37PM
Mike Kleine
is on page 73 of 294
Story #4: THE WEIRDOS is good but also probably the weakest (for me) of the bunch, so far. I like that there's mention of aliens and the main character's boyfriend reminds me of a friend's former roommate so much it is scary. Ending is a little "I didn't expect this," but it made me think of the off-screen death of the main character in the film NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. Like, how in life, unplanned stuff just happens.
— Feb 18, 2017 09:26PM
Mike Kleine
is on page 53 of 294
Story #3 is pretty damn good. Every single story so far has been about people going out to meet another person at some point and eat. The stories, as a whole, can be easily summarized, but it's the small & bizarre details that make them so interesting. And the way the characters have sex (or do foreplay, whatever)--I feel like a voyeur. But I have no problem with that. I don't think most people will. It's engaging.
— Feb 18, 2017 07:35PM
Mike Kleine
is on page 37 of 294
Second story down the hatch. The way this author writes is very simple and almost parable-like. Reminds me, even, of African folk tales. I started reading the third story but only stopped because I actually feel too tired to continue reading. But so far, thoroughly impressed.
— Feb 17, 2017 10:50PM
Mike Kleine
is on page 17 of 294
First story is pretty good. The actual meat of the story was alright. What was really good is the way it was written. The sort of sentences that make you read them again two or three times over. And I'm not talking James Salter A SPORT AND A PASTIME level here--something completely different, but equally mesmerizing. Seems people either really love this book are absolutely do not like it. Maybe I'll give up. Hmmmmm.
— Feb 16, 2017 11:04PM
