| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Shocker!,
By
This review is from: Try (Paperback)
I do not think that I am one normally to be shocked by what I read, but I did find Dennis Cooper's Try coming into that category. The story, about Ziggy, a boy adopted by two abusive gay men, is an idea perhaps with great potential. However I found it thoroughly distasteful; distasteful as regards the literal filth in which they seemed to revel, and distasteful in that it lacked any redeeming features, above all it lacked heart. I found it to be a thoroughly depressing read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
this or "Guide" best for non-initiates,
By ignacio f. (Aloha OR) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Try (Paperback)
Cooper is the American Jean Genet and some aspects of his subject-matter may scare people off, but he writes amazingly beautiful prose, has an incredible ear for dialogue, and is quite funny even at his most dark. "Try" is actually a very appealing, offbeat love-story. Give Dennis Cooper a, well, try.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful without trying,
By Civil Savage (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Try (Paperback)
this is definitely my favorite of the 5-book series (frisk, try, guide, closer, period) that Cooper penned. i had admired his work from afar because for the longest time his choice of subject matter and deadpan prose often made me feel estranged from the characters and their situations. however, there is something to be said for his work as it has managed to attain a certain kind of distinguishment in my eyes which is perhaps an entirely personal sentiment, although a case could be made that it's not entirely personal. but i won't try.
about the book: it is one of the most "emotional" of the 5-book series and has some of the most haunting passages and easy-to-identify characters (as far as the characters in Cooper's universe are concerned anyway!): the abusive father, the tragically misunderstood young man, the twisted relative, the aloof and obsessed admirer, and the suicidal compatriot. while there are a few other minor characters the above named are the most poignant and fully fleshed out (the aloof and obsessed admirer is narrated in the first-person) it helps to better understand just how difficult it is for the central character to relate to anyone, to understand their motives and situations, and ultimately to foresee any consequences. there is less of a recklessness in Cooper's storytelling with this novel and has perhaps the most optimistic "protagonist" of all the novels. this is saying a lot considering one of the story's more gruesome happenings, which is told in chillingly minimal language. in spite of these twists and turns in character development and plot cohesiveness the story reads fairly easy (if you're accustomed to Cooper's work) and is perhaps one of the most easily accessible as far as characterization and emotional depth go. but be warned, Cooper's writing has been and always will be for mature audiences only.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
|
|
