Customer Reviews

Children of God Go Bowling: A Novel

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In its best moments, and there are many of them, Shannon Olson's poignant "Children of God Go Bowling" delves deeply into the dilemma of young adult loneliness. Her self-named protagonist -- that alone makes "Bowling" courageous -- not only wonders whether she will ever find someone special with whom to share her life, she gives voice to some of the most serious questions we could ask ourselves. Do "any of us know what we really want." Even if blessed with such knowledge, how do we manufacture the strength to fully put "our hearts" into living. That Olson can address such personal questions with ironic humor, sarcastic self-observation and self-deprecatory candor are the signal strengths of this easily-read novel. "Children" is marred only by a contrived, melodramatic conclusion that uses a shopworn literary device to assist her protagonist achieve the epiphany necessary for living a full life.

It's unfortunate that Olson's somewhat mawkish conclusion diminishes the first two-hundred pages of her novel. "Children" bristles with anger, frustration and subterranean hope, as the protagonist Shannon, aided by two understated, quirky and compassionate therapists, battles her domineering mother and wrestles with a nagging and seemingly perpetual sense of loneliness. Her mother, Flo, casts an omnipresent shadow over Shannon's life. If the daughter speaks openly about her sadness, her mother dismisses it as insignificant compared to her troubles. When Shannon determines to break away and establish the boundaries necessary for a healthy relationship between an adult daughter and her mother, Flo bemoans being cast aside. Ever sharp-tongued, Flo criticizes Shannon's wardrobe, mocks her eating habits (McDonald's comes in for special ridicule), disparages her apartment and demeans her career. In so doing, Flo is never so happy as when she can, with a passive-aggressive quip, micromanage Shannon's life.

As both siblings and friends marry and create families, Shannon is left ever more aware of her freak-like status as a single woman. Her constant companion, Adam, confuses her; is he just a "friend," or does his constant presence signify something greater. Readers quickly recognize that Adam fulfills the identical psychological functions Flo satisfies. Fastidious, proper and anal, Adam happily offers to organize Shannon's closet, including alphabetizing and paper-clipping mounds of debris Shannon refers to as paperwork. What is apparent to readers is obscure to Shannon, who never seems to muster the temerity to openly question Adam about the nature of their relationship.

Shannon's despair is always tinctured with humor. When her therapist, Dr. Douglas, whom Shannon believes receives inspiration from such diverse television resources as ESPN and the History Channel, asks about what she does with her spare time, she responds that "the only pieces of equipment required for my favorite hobbies" are "the remote control and the credit card." Dr. Douglas suggests she "leave the nest and explore the richness of life;" to Shannon, "life had proven to be a big, fat artery-clogging vat of hollandaise sauce." She's a shy, slightly-overweight Minnesota Catholic in a land of svelte Lutherans, where "quality" people are those who aren't "kind of different."

Shannon's failures are endearing, and she is undaunted by setbacks in her persistent quest for companionship and happiness. She's quite the opposite of the glamorized New York City single woman; there's no "sex-in-the-city" for this protagonist...just drive-through meals and doing laundry with her carping mother. Shannon Olson's anguish is not spectacular, but persistent, not energizing, but energy-sapping. Yet she never stops looking for love. The author, Shannon Olson, should have been content to leave her namesake in that earnest, quietly humorous quest rather than give her some answers in a contrived conclusion. When the protagonist finally picks up a bowling ball in the novel's conclusion, we are pretty well tipped off if she's going to roll a gutter ball or a strike.

I experienced a myriad of emotions when reading this book (which I finished in two days.) I laughed, cried, I was depressed and paced aimlessly around the house.

Although the narrator, Shannon, (who shares the author's name) seems to be seeking love, she's really trying to accept herself and her life as she knows it. I bristle at the term "Chicklit" because this is not the stereotypical story of a single young woman in the big city with a job she hates and a series of bad dates. This is much more. This is about friendship and self-acceptance. This is about being happy with NOW. This is about the struggles, self-doubt and second-guessing anyone might go through.

Though the narrator's pickiness with others - her parents, her friends, her therapists, herself - may seem annoying to the impatient reader, she's really revealing the type of person she is. Bare with her and she'll make progress, I promise.

The writing style is smooth and injected with bursts of humor that had me almost spraying my beverage, much like Shannon herself. There are moments so touching and moving, I was glad nobody was in the room to witness me dabbing my eyes with Kleenex. And at one point, I was so immersed in the story that I had to stop reading and take a break just to shed the grief I was absorbing.

The title is unique, original and - rest assured - defined in the conclusion.

These days, authors are taught that readers really do judge a book by its cover and titles can make or break a book. If I were teaching a writing class, I'd use "Children of God Go Bowling" as a brilliant example!

I did not read Olson's first book, so I was pleasantly surprised by the novel. There seems to be an emerging genre of books about single women in their 20's and 30's, growing older and growing desperate aobut finding a mate.

Olson's heroine bemoans her single status but otherwise her life seems to be working better than she realizes. She has a great job that seems to function on automatic pilot. (As a career coach, I can't help being amazed that *no* character experienced major job problems! Well, one character has a little stress, but he immediately changes jobs easily.)

Shannon's income allows her to move to a great apartment when one becomes available. She also manages to afford an amazing amount of therapy, which apparently occupies three evenings a week. She has "the counselor," a friendly woman who calls her "honey" and seems more like a big sister than a therapist. She adds a psychiatrist , who prescribes medication, and group therapy -- not, as the book jacket says, to find friends, but because "the counselor" thinks she's ready.

Shannon is surprised that the group has time to help her with furniture questions, but the group does seem more social than therapeutic.

One tragedy in the book does seem to undercut the comedic mood, but it's handled gracefully and optimistically. I'm reminded of the video God Said Ha. The discussion of religion ("Is it because he's a Lutheran?") are funny and add a deeper dimension to the book.

Shannon's counselor admonishes at the outset, "It's not all about you." Yet for a single marriage-centered woman, self-focus is not all that uncommon. I don't see Shannon as overly dependent: she has her apartment and job, and these days, that's doing really well.

Shannon's therapists ironically encouraged even more self-focus. I wish they'd told her to get a life -- develop a hobby, take classes -- rather than continue to look for a man in the most unlikely places. Her decision at the end of the book signals a new beginning. Of course, if she rebuilds her life and gets too together, we won't have a novel.

The author writes well and holds our interest, although the pace could be a bit faster and some of the subplots could be tightened. I got a little tired of Shannon's questions about her relationship with an old college friend (friends or lovers? are we or aren't we?) but didn't doubt the realism for a moment.

I wanted to like this book, but Shannon - the character, not the author - is so self-absorbed, I found it an irritating read. Hmmmm, since the author named her main character after herself, what conclusions can we draw from that?

Anyway, being in much the same situation as Shannon (again, the character), I wanted to love this book. But it really stretched my patience! Still, there were some amusing sections that I did enjoy. Without those, this would have only received one star from me.

I LOVED Olsen's first book so was excited to read this one - but I nearly hated it! Seemed like just another 30 something women depressed no one would marry her... how trite. Even though many readers didn't like the first one because it was "weird" - I loved it because of its quirky/uniqueness... This one just seemed to be more of the same of everything that's already out there....

I was initially drawn to this book because the author lives in the same metro area as I do. In the beginning, I was amused when the author mentioned a place in the cities that I frequent. By the end, I was so drawn into the story and the characters that I was in tears.

This book is so real and honest that it almost seems like you're finding out too much. By getting close to the characters, you're almost drawn into their world and are in on the action.

While it is a light, summer read, it's also very serious and dark, but still optimistic and positive. It really has quite a range as far as the emotions that it envokes in the reader, but it's not jumpy or convoluted.

Now, I must read Shannon Olson's first novel and will await many more of her books!

I went to high school with the author and although I didn't know her well, my mother- like hers- tries to "help" My mother sent me her two books. I don't live in Minnesota, but I am very grateful to Shannon for the memories and accurate portrayal of life in Chaska. Right down to Dairy Queen and the off kilter high school french teacher. Please keep books like this coming.

I brought this book with me on a recent vacation and finished it within a few days. I was excited to learn more about "Shanny" and was enjoying every minute of it until things took an unexpected and somewhat disturbing turn. I found the second half of this book to be almost incompatable with the first half but felt very satisfied in the end. When I finished reading, I turned the book into my hotel's book bin and saw that it was picked up by someone else right away. I hope to hear from Shannon again soon.

This book came highly recommeded by several of my English collegues, and I completely understand why. Olson effectively captures single life as a working woman in the Midwest. It was witty and accurate. Although some people may see Olson as whining and being egocentric, I believe Olson is simply relating her humorous truth and perception thereof in a manner to which many can relate. I have seldom enjoyed a piece of literature as thoroughly as Children of God Go Bowling.

I can understand some people's negative reviews of this. The character is either someone you can relate to or not. I think anyone who's ever had depression, anxiety, or frequented a therapist can relate. Or even anyone who is tired and feels hopeless out in the singles scene. This book is fairly dark and real. It's got plenty of witty, dry humor but it is not a laugh a minute light read by any means.

I have to say, I grew up in Chaska and went to the same high school as the author during the same era. I grew up Catholic and I also currently live in St. Paul (I don't know the author). It is so, so real to me. The humor is exactly what I gew up with. As well as the way her family relates to each other. It was actually a little scary. And all the landmarks were fun for me as well - from Chaska and from the cities. It just really spoke to me. It was so clear she was writing from her heart. I loved the optimism at the end. I really hope something else is coming along from Shannon. I'm married and have children and I still loved it.