Customer Reviews

Exile

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I read this book before I read "girl" I thought it was better than "girl" but "girl" was really good too. As for this one, I really enjoyed it! So much so that I would read it again, and there aren't too many that I would say that for. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the newest one, "user" and like another reviewer said, I am also gonna buy that one, "sight unseen." That's how good Blake Nelson is!

As I read the reader reviews for "Exile," everyone mentions how it isn't as good as "Girl." First of all, you can't even compare the two. For all I know, it was a totally diff. writer speaking about totally diff. subjects. I thought the character is very real and even though I am a teenage girl, I could even relate to the 30-something male in the book. Blake's choice of subjects is so interesting. I really enjoyed "Girl," but I also enjoyed "Exile," I've read it more than "Girl," and it still remains to be one of my favorite books. Give him a chance, and just because it isn't the wanted sequel to "Girl," don't go into the book with such high expectations, just read, and enjoy it.

I'm giving this book five stars more for what it represents than my actual enjoyment of it. It's not as good as GIRL and that was disappointing. But what it is is another accurate representation of an aspect of youth culture and Nelson as usual gets it dead on right. I have been a fan of his since his Details magazine writing and he simply never misses. sometimes it's not the most pleasant things to read but he is a real talent, a necessary talent and I don't know why his books are coming to us so slowly--since there are never any author pictures on his books perhaps he's shy and wants to avoid the spotlight. But I wish he would write more. I will buy USER sight unseen.

I checked this out because everyone likes Nelson's first novel Girl so much. I liked this better. It was more real and more something I could relate to. Both of Nelson's books are very fresh and original and highly readable. I like his characters. They are both very sympathetic but not too politically correct or obviously "cute". Most new novels are so bad and so uninspired. Freshness matters.

Unlike most of the people who think Exile is not as good as Nelson's debut Girl, I found it a lot better and a great read. His simple language and the present tense he used all throughout the book just made it more enjoyable. I wish everyone would like it as much as I did.

I really enjoyed this book. It brought to mind other seedy stories I've loved like Jim Carrol's Forced Entries where life reads like a stream-of-conscious list of experiences where a young poetry writer walks around, gets stoned, has sex, sits in coffee shops all day and considers Ginsberg, Kerouac, and Jean Michel Basquiat in daily existence. Those who didn't like the lengthy poetry segments should check again and notice these are interspersed with the Happy go lucky letters Mark sends out to his family and friends. The poems show that on the spiritual level, he of course is not feeling that way at all. I enjoyed Girl, but can't say I remember much about it now. Mark West is one of those characters that echoes for me, though the story is told in third person its just a personal and memborable as the voice of Holden Caulfield. And, despite the less-than-admirable things, Mark does, I still cared about him, felt his lonlieness, and wanted him to be successful in life. Can't wait for Blake Nelson's next book.

Blake Nelson, how much does it suck that your first novel is everyone's favorite? A tough act to follow is an understatement. You seem a lot better at exposing more of your female character (Andrea Marr in "Girl") than your male in "Exile". It seemed like with "Exile" you were holding back. I read it once, it was good, read it again, it was no better, and then just FORGOT everything about it. On the other hand, with "Girl", every time I read it (and I'm on read #9 no exxageration) it just gets better and better! Don't get me wrong, I did think "Exile" was GOOD, but like I said, "Girl" was too tough an act to follow! P.S. From reading your reader reviews on "Girl", I think you should stick to writing about the adventures of Andrea Marr...isn't she in college now (hint, hint!)?

I thought I would want to read whatever Blake Nelson published, but I was wrong. Girl was by far his best book, but this one was a big letdown. The characters were uninteresting and sometimes repellent, the poems inserted every now and then added nothing to the work (and bored me), and the "gritty city" subject matter just didn't interest me.

It's possible that the NYC writing scene could really dig this, but I didn't. (And I like Neresian.) Not really worth the time.

blake nelson you are such a poser. you are so bad! poets rule all right awesome go spartans. what is the devirginating main character factor in all your books. Dude! The Virgin Goddess is A #1 awesome spartans rule go mathew and did I mention I LOVE THE MAKEUP. Whatever Blake I love you and will kiss you goodnight,every sunday for the rest of all time. Awesome Power of Love NOW.

After "Girl" this was a big change in terms of subject matter. But I think Nelson is such a good writer he could probably write about anything and make it interesting, plus both of his books are extremely readable and engaging. I like this better than "Girl" even though I can see that "Girl" is a more "classic" novel, this book had more things I could relate to, being a guy and having spent some time doing open mikes and such. (And I thought the poetry was good and very slyly made fun of typical "street" poet types.)