Deft and uproarious ... Newman weaves the analytical and the absurd with a raucous grace ... Generous and witty, as bewitched by aesthetics as it is certain of the virtues of good old-fashioned compassion ... Profound — and profoundly sidesplitting.
You begin to see how it might be a better TV show than it is a book. But don’t let that stop you from reading it. Fair warning: It is graphic in its description of sexual encounters and doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, including self harm. The humor helps take the edge off a little, but Newman certainly has something to say about the up-and-coming generation. This is a bold new voice, and one to watch.
Fiction as friction, designed for discomfort. This is a novel of dichotomies that beg to be challenged, with psychological spaces that desperately need transparency but are inherently, tragically closed off to each other.
Witty and endearing ... The situations are enjoyably farcical, but there’s also depth to them, as Newman delves into his characters’ hidden passions and shows how they grapple with their self-defeating choices. This raucous adventure is great fun.
