Customer Reviews

Anecdotal

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was very surprised when I found out that Anecdotal was this writer's first novel. It plays just right on so many levels: great comedy, distinctive voice, cool short story structure and a page-turner of a plot.

In this novel, Jake (a "semi-employed" business person, as he calls himself) commences a chronicle of his life, short stories assembled in real time. He stops and restarts his writing project several times, as his world changes in unpredictable ways--the other reviewers talk about the twists and turns as well.

The author does a great job of capturing the feeling in San Francisco after the internet blubble popped. The relationships between the narrator and his friends reminded me of the fun dynamic created in the movie Swingers. Good male bonding stuff, but it goes well beyond just surface interactions. Several female characters are also particularly intriguing--a woman friend and I had veeerrrrry different viewpoints on all of the female characters in the book.

I particularly liked Dann's parody of "chick lit", the narrator's adventures in Las Vegas, a fantastic chapter at an Oakland Raider game and a surprisingly emotional trip to In N Out burger. The book is an easy read, though not simple. I read it in two days. It does start a little slowly, but I didn't mind much. The pace really picks up. You will enjoy this strong debut novel.

I found a review of this book by someone named "Joey" in the restroom at the Power Exchange. Any book referred to as "vacuous drivel" sounds tempting to me, so I rushed to my nearest San Francisco bookseller to purchase a copy, only to find it sold out and the first three I tried. Finally I obtained my copy and went immediately home to review it. I was quite disappointed to find a humourous and well-written novel instead of the promised drivel, but I consoled myself with the prospect of perhaps learning some lessons about the ladies from this interesting book. After reading and enjoying Anecdotal I thought I might set for myself the goal of emulating the protagonist by becoming a San Francisco "raconteur" myself. I didn't know what this word meant, so I looked it up at Dictionary.com. Unfortunately, it apparently means a good story-teller, not a super stud ladies man, like I assumed. Still, I have high hopes that after reading Anecdotal and following the hero as my role model, I too will someday enjoy romantic escapades with the fair sex worth writing about.

Have to admit I was first given this book by a friend, but have since bought a couple copies to send to single friends around the country.

If you're single and a child of the 70s/80s you'll love this book. Tons of references to things we experienced growing up and you can definitely relate to and commiserate with the main character.

In my opinion, if a Nick Hornby character married Bridget Jones and they had a son, he would grow up to be Jake (Anecdotal's main character). It's a cute and funny book with a couple major twist and turns - definitely some moments where while reading it I said outloud, "No way!"

Great gift for that single friend - male or female. Definitely a fun read for the summer!!

I was given this book as a gift, and was admitedly a little skeptical about reading (and enjoying) what I saw as a memoir of a post dot-commer set in the truly hollow neighborhood of San Francisco's Cow Hollow. But I was pleasantly surprised by both the author's natural flair for language and description and his sincere attempt to record his experiences with love and relationships with honesty and self-reflection. Looking forward to Jeremy Dann's second novel...

like the Great Gatsby typifies the go-go era of the 1920s, Anecdotal is what we will remember about the post-dotcom malaise.

at the same time, it is a book about a romantic single guy in his 30s who is neurotic yet loveable. i admit that i only read one novel per year (and this was it for 2005) ... so i don't have a lot to compare it to ... but i really liked the book (and really liked the Woody Allen-like protagonist).

This book is BRILLIANT!! I actually have been putting off reaching the final page, because I have so thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't want it to end (and I'm quite depressed now that it has).

Dann's "anecdotes" completely compelled me. I've been through many similar situations, and could relate so well to the characters and stories. He has a fantastic way of capturing the chemistry between people in a witty and poignant way. I found myself genuinely caring about the characters and I couldn't wait to find out what unfolded next. The little twists and turns thrown in definitely kept things interesting.

I especially related to the description of how people our age live in a series of short stories as opposed to a single coherent plot. I've felt that way for many years now but have never been able to articulate it. Dann does a fantastic job of illustrating that experience. And he perfectly depicted what it was like to live through the whole "dot com boom/bust." It brought back so many of my own hilarious memories. :) I'll be anxiously awaiting the next installment!

J. Brooks Dann's novel captures the reader with a wit and charm that resonates naturally throughout this novel's tale of funny, poignant life experiences. You'll want to read it all, in one sitting, and then read it again!

It was a real page turner that stays with you. Loved it!

Let's be honest for a moment. We read because we are nosey. We are curious creatures with a constant urge to look into other people's lives, to feed off of their trials and heartache and adventures. This novel is a fantastic drug to feed your curiosity addiction. Dann gives you an unabashed insight into what it means to be a 20 something man in the middle of a crazy dating world. Too often its females that complain and bemoan about how guys treated them wrong and how they pine away until they meet that perfect doctor/handyman/bookstore owner and they live happily ever after. Instead, Dann gives us what its like to be in a relationship, to not be in a relationship, to be in a half relationship. To love somebody who may or not love you back. To have friends that are dicks or ridiculous or just good. Part romance, part The Hangover, and yet entirely honest and compelling. I highly recommend this for men and women alike, for anyone who had to deal with the absurdity that is trying to find your way.

First of all, I have to say that this is THE FIRST book that my boyfriend and I enjoyed equally--ever. That's a truly major accomplishment. It gave us a ton to laugh about and to talk about together.
Nick Hornby is among my favorite authors. I think that readers will find Dann's approach and attitude similar to Hornby's. As a woman, it was particularly interesting to read a well-crafted and thoughtful male perspective. Whether he was diving into the details of Las Vegas bachelor parties (hilarious, but don't worry, not graphic!) or taking 5 pages to dissect the 5-second period before a first kiss, the author's tone and humor were just spot on.
The novel's short story-oriented--or "Anecdotal"--style made it very engaging. The narrator's quirky voice and style truly make this book stand out. A real page turner.
"Anecdotal" works well as a humorous story, but it really evolves in a very compelling way. At one point when he was almost done with the book, my engineer boyfriend said, "Wait, this is literature, isn't it?" "Anecdotal" is entertaining and impressive.

This is a very funny book. What's surprising -- and welcome, especially considering that it's told from a male point of view -- is that it's also a very touching book. It reminds me of "When Harry Met Sally" in the way it straddles both "chick flick" and "guy's guy" genres.

"Anecdotal" is about the romantic ups and downs of Jake, the protagonist and author who is writing the book in real time as his life unfolds.

I don't want to reveal too much about the plot, because there are at least two major surprising twists -- one very early in the book, one closer to the end -- that hit you pretty much out of nowhere and totally alter your perceptions of what Jake has done in the past and what he should do next.

I will say there are lots of laugh out loud moments which you'll find particularly funny if you've ever been dumped hard or if you have any affinity for or appreciation of 80s and 90s pop culture, life in San Francisco, or the life of over-educated twenty- and thirty-something year old yuppies.

I'll also say that the form of the novel -- increasingly self-reflective as Jake writes it in real time -- is a lot of fun and adds to the enjoyment.

All in all, "Anecdotal" is a great read and well worth giving as a gift to both lassies and laddies.