Customer Reviews

In the Drink

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

A lot of the marketing information about In the Drink bills itas a funny novel. While there is a lot of humor in the novel, I thinkits way too dark to be funny a la Bridget Jones, which is what I was expected when I started reading. After about 25 pages or so, when I realized that this was not another funny novel, and adjusted to the dark, and rather depressing world Claudia inhabits, I really grew to like this book. Kate Christensen does a fabulous job of taking us into the dark world that so many women can inhabit or come close to, but she does so without depressing the reader. I suppose that is because Claudia narrates with an amusing, self-deprecating humor.

I actually found this novel quite fascinating because Claudia's life reminded me of many people I knew when I was around her age (29). I think a lot of us could have drifted into the nowhere job, the drinking too much, the meaningless sex world that Claudia inhabits without actually even noticing. I can't think of any contemporary novel that explores this idea so well, so honestly. Claudia teetered up to the edge and almost fell over, but somehow managed to keep herself from plummeting into the depths of despair.

I would strongly recommend this book with the caveat that it is not a "humorous" novel. The subject matter is serious, and well-handled with much dark humor.

Bravo, Kate Christensen! What a wonderful first novel...I can't wait for a follow-up.

"In the Drink" is the story of a 20 something single woman named Claudia Steiner. She lives in your typical roach-infested Manhattan apartment, works for a complete passive-aggresive nut case, dates the wrong men, and is madly in love with the "Unavailable-Man." There were many times throughout the novel when I wanted to shake Claudia and tell her to wake-up and change her miserable existence. But the beauty of the book is that Claudia IS flawed just like we all are. There is no "tied-up in a pretty bow" ending. Claudia plods through her life making the same mistakes over and over again and expecting different results. But Christensen always kept me believing that Claudia would turn out OK. And even though the ending is not "happy" I had a gut feeling that when Claudia finally hits her bottom she has the inner strength to pull herself out of it and end up on the right track. This is what kept me going.

While "In the Drink" is a dark story, Christensen has an amazing sense of humor and writes some of the funniest scenes I've read in a long time. Her affair with the married John Threadgill is hilarious, as is a party scene at the apartment of her "crush," William. I so identified with Claudia because there was a period of my life where I WAS her. But fortunately, I pulled myself out of it as I believe Claudia will. Another wonderful part of the book is examining Claudia's relationship with her mother. How many of us have been at a restaurant with our mothers and been pressured into ordering what SHE wanted us to eat? I've been there! There are some things Claudia does that I don't necessarily approve of. Obviously stealing from my boss and forging her checks is not a behavior I'd care to emulate. But when Claudia does it, it's OK because I felt she was remorseful. That doesn't make it right but it does humanize her.

I've read in many reviews references to "Bridget Jones' Diary" and I think this book is hands down ten times better than "Bridget" simply because the characters are real and are dealing with their lives on a level that Bridget doesn't. I've also read in reviews that people think Claudia is a loser and hated the book becuase of that. Well, in a way I suppose she is a "loser", but a temporary loser, and who among us hasn't been a loser at one point in life? If you're a woman in your 20s or 30s DEFINITELY read this book. You won't be sorry.

There are many reasons I like In the Drink so much: 1) It is not a cute story. It is real. There are people whose lives are less than perfect and therefore find comfort in substance abuse such as drinking. 2) It is not Bridget Jones's Diary. It is more real, it has more soul. Don't get me wrong, I love BJD, but the redundant story of a 30-something heroine whining about being single at 30 it's too blah for me. Claudia whines, but for a good cause. 3) Its urban appeal. Love it, the writing has a poetic feel -- Christensen obviously loves poetry -- or is a poet, because the writing is beautiful. Claudia Steiner is the anti-heroine, she is not glamorous or even extremely witty, she is one of the most realistic characters I have read. And finally, I can relate to the story about her secret love to William, I too was secretly in love with my male best friend, although I am glad that he is not a pervert. Anyway, give this novel a chance, it is a great novel, one of the most unique and beautifully written ones from last year. I hope to read more novels from this author in the future.

I read this book because of the reviews, and I am so very glad I did. Those who criticize the book because of the "self-obsessed" or "thieving" nature of its protagonist seem to me to be missing the point. Claudia is 100% human. Unlike Bridget Jones (which I loved), Claudia isn't always prepared with breezy one-liners and witticisms. She is incredibly flawed, but this makes her somewhat more real and accessible than Bridget. As a late twenty-something professional, I can entirely relate to her thought processes and woes; although I'm not sure if I would personally steal from my employer, or sleep with a married man, the author makes sure that we understand *why* Claudia does what she does, and that's the genius of it. I was also rather impressed that although the ending was entirely not what I expected, it was still uplifting and entirely true to the characters. I am extremely anxious to see what the author will write next; but in the meanwhile, I will be reading "In the Drink" again.

I may be of the minority here, but I really liked this book. Kate Christenson has written a real and gritty portrayal of a woman struggling to grow up. Life can't always be bowls of cherries, and while this may not be the happily-ever-after story or the laugh-out-loud British literature clone that readers desire, In the Drink is, by far, not a let down.

This is the story of Claudia Steiner. She has an unsatisfactory job as ghostwriter for an aging socialite, ever-growing debts with no shrinkage in sight, and a disappointing love life full of no-gooders and unavailables. Her only refuge, it seems, is found at the bottom of an expensive, yuppie bottle of Scotch. And while the reader hopes for a lesson to be learned somewhere, it seems Claudia is stuck in a continuous, desperate loop with no light at the end of the tunnel. And the author writes so hopelessly and in a cry-for-help sort of way, you almost feel sorry for Claudia. But you don't. I had no sympathy for the character, but her life style was hard to turn away from: sort of like a car wreck on the side of the highway -- you don't want to see or know, but something inside you makes you look. I know there are people like Claudia Steiner in this world -- this is their testimony.

To be fair, I can see how some people wouldn't like this novel because Claudia is not appealing. But she is a flawed human like the rest of us, and I heartily applaud Kate Christenson for tackling this difficult character with perseverance through the hailstorm that is Bridget Jones chic. The writing style is very aware and observant of human idiosyncrasies that normally go unnoticed. Definitely not a fairy-tale, to be sure, but In the Drink is chock-full of wry and witty humor with a refreshingly candid style that makes this novel extremely readable and in your face at all times.

I loved this book. There were funny parts, mostly concerning the old lady writer she works for, and there were emotional parts, like when she speaks of her mother or her crush on Billy. Her serious pondering over different types of alcohol to consume later on was hilarious. I told so many people about this book because I loved it so much.

This book is fab-u-lous! Claudia Steiner is one of the best heroines I have ever read. I mean, everyone could relate to her character! She is the anti-heroine. She is neither glamorous nor a total loser, she's just flawed. Read this fab book at the beach. You're going to love it!

I wouldn't call this book boring. It's simply not satisfying. You don't really care for or about any of the characters. And as for being funny...it's not particularly. It could perhaps be called witty or satirical. It is well written, but I'm just not sure, after reading the book, why I read it. There's some sort of pleasure to be derived from this book however; for I kept on reading, and enjoyed it to some degree. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to someone...but it wasn't HORRIBLE.

True, it's not about Bridget Jones. But I'm sure there will be another book about Bridget Jones. This is a book about another woman. She lives in Manhattan. And she's make believe. Because this is a novel. It's not a "happy" story. But it's a very well told story, even though some might consider it to be sad in places. I wouldn't like to be the main character in the book. But I did like to read about her. Because make believe is fun. Even when it's about somebody who isn't like you at all. Especially when the person telling the story is good at telling the story.

In the midst of reading this book, I thought Claudia WAS a friend of mine. Intelligent, sexy, well-read, and able to make an imperfect life bearable through dark humor, quotations from major poets, ill-advised sexual encounters and a few stiff drinks. If you don't like a flawed character, this book, like Madame Bovary, is not for you.