17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brett rules, June 26, 2009
This review is from: The Lie: A Novel (Paperback)
I've been reading a lot of fratire books lately and this one is definitely one of my favorites. I liked Kutgen's other book "the Average American Male" and I think this one is even better. It has the same sort of crude man humor, but it also has a much more interesting plot. Also, the story is told from the perspective of three main characters which gives you a cool look into how they see the same things differently. The Brett character is hilarious. The inhumane (this is an understatement) things he does to women is so outrageously funny that the author should consider writing another book just about Brett. I know it's only fiction, but it is darn funny to read about. Reading things from the character Heather's perspective reminds me of why I dumped my last girlfriend. She and Heather are both snobby, materialistic, sorority girls without a clue. Great job Kultgen and bring on the next one.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
16 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's not a lie that i liked this book, May 12, 2009
This review is from: The Lie: A Novel (Paperback)
The way this story is told between three different perspectives is fun to read and I'm surprised this writing style is not used more often. I think the story itself is entertaining, but selectively accurate at best.
The character Brett is not believable. His attitude about women, Yes, but the prolific ability he has to bed down new women and get them to defile themselves for his own personal entertainment is a gross exaggeration of the power that guys like Brett really have over women. Yes, women do look at a guy's (or his family's) bank account, but we look at a lot of other things too. And even if a girl is after a guy for his money, there are personal limits she will not cross to pursue him. Another issue I have with the character Brett is that the whole money thing is not that big of a deal among college students because most girls know they are probably not going to marry any of the guys they date at school. And many girls are no different than guys in wanting to sleep around and party. They are looking for fun, not money.
The character Heather seems to display this "I just want to have fun" mentality at certain points in the book and I give the author credit for capturing the dialogue, demeanor, and nonchalant sexual attitude of college girls.
The character Kyle is probably the most authentic of the three main characters and I suspect this is because he is the closest of the three to match the author's own personality and experiences. You get a real feeling for this guy's attitude on life, his fears, and his regrets.
I really didn't like the author's constant barrage of negative commentary directed towards the Christian roommate. This is a straw man attack of Christians and comes across as a personal vendetta. I'm not a born again Christian or anything, but most Christians do not shove their Christianity down your throat and do not pray for you because they think your non-belief is a one-way ticket to hell.
The bottom line. I enjoyed The Lie and will probably read the author's other book. Another good college book is Goat by Brad? or Brian Land.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Shocking turns dull when served as leftovers, February 20, 2011
This review is from: The Lie: A Novel (Paperback)
I read and rated Kultgen's first novel "The Average American Male" a 5 star. It was a shock ridden parady of young male (and female) characters led around by their hormones and genitals.
But reading more of the same in The Lie shows Kultgen needs another story. This is simply The Average American Male redux with a slightly different cast of characters and even more casual sex. What was interesting and provactive once, comes off as just a little boy on the playground who shocked teachers and parents with a dirty word now repeating it ad nauseum.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
