Customer Reviews

Getting Over Jack Wagner

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I can't say enough how much I LOVED this book. I identified with Eliza so much it was scary (including her pre-pubescent cruch on Jack Wagner and doomed romances with rock "stars".) It was very well written and absolutely hilarious at times. I felt like I couldn't read it fast enough, but was sad when I finished because Eliza was one of the most real and sympathetic characters I've found in a while. This book is everything that all those other "chick books" aspire to be!!

A wonderful book--both my wife and I enjoyed this crisply written, well-paced first novel. Although the narrator is single, young, and female, the book is really a broadly appealing, universal study of relationships. By mixing elements of pop-culture, dating etiquette, and one vintage 80's era popstar/soap-opera-god, Elise Juska presents an entirely engaging character struggling with the larger questions we ask ourselves when searching for the elusive "right" relationship. And although the story is immensly readable (meaning: fun), it is never trivial--nor does it provide any easy answers to the dating/relationship game. Because of this, the book really stands apart from so many other books about young single women. I'm a 36 year old male reader, and I found much to identify with in the struggle, the search, the realizations, and the hopes of the main character, Eliza. The novel is built around her sharply drawn (and fall down funny) narrator's voice--both the voice of a distinct generation--and also a voice that beyond the trappings of age. Plus, the inclusion of intelligent song "suggestions" at the beginning of each chapter allows for a constant mental soundtrack--further deepening the overall feel of the novel. All in all, really enjoyable and thoughtfully written. I highly recommend this book.

Where to begin? On first glance, this may appear like something written by a woman meant to be read by other women. Look deeper and what you'll find is an entertaining story written by an author with an uncanny knack for drawing you into the scene and acquainting you with the characters. Yes, it is a novel about a woman in her mid twenties, who is running through a turnstile of relationships with C-grade musicians, but it is also clearly a work of personal introspection for the main character that I found to be somewhat reminiscent of Neil Simon, Tobias Wolff, or even T.C. Boyle (especially when you factor in all of the humorous elements).

This book has more than a few good qualities. For starters, I always found myself having a hard time putting it down. The story was set well and was so realistic, I felt as if I was listening to a friend recount some past goings on, rather than simply reading fiction. The characters very much represent real people with real issues - a quality sorely lacking in so much of what mass media offers us today. It is both honest and witty, without ever being pretentious.

The narration moves seamlessly from present time to the appropriate flashback points, where the current storyline is aptly injected with some poignant recollections from the past that may (or may not) serve to explain the main character Eliza's current behavior.

Each of the scenes in story were rendered so dutifully by way of meticulously sculpted imagery, that I was consistently able to picture myself being right there with the characters. The multitude of references to 80's pop-culture brought forth feelings of both nostalgia and embarrassment, having been a teenager in that time period myself ;-)

The key value of this novel is that it somehow manages to be dramatically engrossing, comically entertaining, and still carry forth (and deliver) some meaningful messages - particularly about one's self image, outlook on life, and happiness in general. As the ending deftly avoided going down the many paths that would lead to a sellout Hollywood ending, I was left with a true sense of satisfaction upon completing the story.

Note: Make sure to read the interview with the author at the end.

Ms. Juska - you rock. I look forward to your next one ...

I loved this book! I mean, I REALLY loved this book!!! I have to admit, that I originally ordered it because I, too, was a fan of Jack Wagner back in the 80's. Rest assured all of you non-Wagner fans, as this book has very little to do with the 80's soap/rock star. He is merely the first obsession of many "rock star" obsessions of the adorable Eliza in this book.

If you were a child of the 80's, you will adore this book. If you have a pathetic retention for 80's pop culture trivia (as I , admittedly do) ...you will devour this book! I had a hard time putting it down. The life of Eliza is so much fun, and I think most people will have a hard time NOT relating to her and her dating awkwardness.

And...(if the author ever reads this), I do believe Full House
takes place in San Francisco...not Seattle. (Okay....who's pathetic now????!!!! Why do I know this???!!!)

And also, I ended up marrying my "rock star". First saw him drumming in our high school Battle of the Bands. Fell in love instantly and now we're married 10 years with 2 kids!!! So, I couldn't help but laugh at a lot of the high school band references.

Thank you, Elise for writing such a wonderful book. I cannot wait for the next one!!!!

I was hooked by the title - I confess. I mean, as longtime "General Hospital" fan, I was immediately drawn to Jack Wagner. I mean -- come on, it's not every day you see a book called, "Getting over Jack Wagner". How hilarious. Once I picked it up and read the back cover, that did it. I was sold. Having medium hopes for it --- it takes a lot to be a GREAT chick lit book these days, but I was completely and happily surprised. I loved the whole pop culture and 80's flashback side of this book. It made for a wonderful backdrop to the life and times of Eliza and her fancy for rock star's. What girl doesn't love a bad boy with a guitar? Not this one --- that's for sure.

This look into herself and her habits is hilarious, really smart and truly romantic. I loved it didn't want it to end. I truly enjoyed every page.

Give it a shot --- you'll be happy you did. A real winner!

I'm a sucker for the genre (so be warned), but this frequently hilarious novel about a woman who can't get over her predeliction for decidedly non-famous "rock stars" is better than most. The book's approach isn't new: faced with quadrafecta of relationship crises, alarmed Eliza tries to figure out how she got into the fix she's in. She reviews what she saw in every boyfriend she's ever had, with particular emphasis on the adolescent and collegiate representatives of the category (that's the Lucinda Rosenfeld bit), with some help from lists and mix tapes (I think winkingly, but that's the Nick Hornby bit). I particularly liked the absurdist chapters on her high school band "rock star" guy and her current job in a travel agency. I also liked the fact that a lot of these boyfriends were ... kind of nice, the kiss of death for poor Eliza. A very professional job, but one with a lot of heart.

It's been a long time since I a) couldn't put a book down, and b) was satisfied by the ending. The author's treatment of Eliza is not romanticized at all - it is an honest, tender, and harsh look at a 'quarterlife crisis'. I think many people will relate to this book and some of the events in it - I saw myself and my friends all over the place. Laughed right out loud, too. No one is 2 dimensional, the events are not at breakneck, MTV generation pace (or a snail's. either - it's just right). In general, it is a great departure from the current trend of single girl glam novels and I hope more authors take Ms. Juska's cue and write women we can relate to!

Crisp, witty, incisive and fun. This book has all the entertainment value of Bridget Jones, but with more meat on its literary bones if not on its heroine. We've all been where Eliza is in this book -- looking at our lives and wondering where we'll end up and realizing there are no guarantees we'll get what we want. I related to her and I'm long past twenty-six.

Too bad this book has been labeled Chick Lit. It simply does not do it justice. Anyone who ever had a lusty teenage / young adult crush will love this book. Especially those of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s when TV meant everything. But more importantly, anyone who loves real characters dealing with relevant issues of identity, love, and your own place in the world will love this book. Juska has a command of pop culture and a hip factor that is simply unrivaled among today's young, new writers. Her command of dialogue is terrific, giving real voice to her characters.

And by the way, I'm not sure what planet Alexis Leya is from, but her review on this page is so off base it makes one think she has some strange ulterior motive. And if she is trying to prove she is smarter than anyone else... try spell check dear - and quotation marks are to be used when you actually quote something. Did you check the box that says you are over 13? Then uncheck it.

Sure, I'll admit that's why I picked this book up in the first place. But I'm happy that I discovered a fun, witty book with a lot of heart. And, most importantly, a PERFECT ending, the kind of ending I've been waiting to read in a chick lit. Not the greatest book ever written, but a page-turner that will keep you smiling on the subway.