This book wowed me on so many levels: the research, the character development, the way the plot weaved in and out of itself, branched out but kept coming back to the same themes… much like life, only Lethem finds ways to pause life, look down into it and examine it in ways we can’t do on a day-to-day basis. I also loved the way he made Brooklyn come alive. Dean Street becomes a living, breathing entity, the seasons its moods, its inhabitants like phases of our own lives, only here for a while but never completely gone from you when they depart. Outstanding novel, I have no complaints (okay, the switch from third to first person in Prisonaires threw me for a loop, but still) and would recommend it to anyone.

I like this novel because of how it handles the thin line between sanity and insanity. The protagonist’s environment, history and daily routine suggest he’s bonkers, yet the methodical and sometimes nonchalant manner he handles his hobbies, family, and past suggest sanity. The plot twist at the end was too farfetched for my liking, but otherwise it was interesting.

I was bored watching this for the first half of it. My thoughts were, “okay, this guy is obviously nuts, so what. this can’t possibly end interestingly” but as the plot developed the more interested I became. It’s a lot more complex than it seems and I’m glad I stuck it out and watched till the very end.

This movie is just like life, except better, because it isn’t happening to you. You feel almost everything the protagonist feels; you feel sorry for him, hate his brother, ect., ect. Could have done without the Hollywood ending though… it was interesting without the sex and car chases.

I think this is more appreciated by fans of Dan Johnston and people interested in pschology and psychiatry. The Netflix description makes it out to be a comedy when it is anything but, so if you’re looking for something goofy and lighthearted, look elsewhere.

Read the book before you see the movie, or else the book will be completely ruined for you.

I’ve got too much on my mind as of late to think as deeply into this one as it’s asking for. I’m sticking to lighter reading until I have some time off to really enjoy this.