Helpful Score: 2
Clown Girl is not a goofy funny novel, but it isn't supposed to be, regardless of what preconceived notions you get from the title and the picture of the rubber chicken (Plucky!) on the cover. What Clown Girl is is a great first novel from a very talented writer. I can't wait to read more of what Monica Drake has to offer. Thank you, Chuck Palahniuk, for recommending this gem.
Nita has decided she is a clown. Not a commercial sell out, but a real artist, and she's modeling herself after her absent boyfriend, Rex Galore. The problem with Nita's aspirations is that she isn't a very good clown, artistically or otherwise. She refuses to give up her dream, however, even to the detriment of her own well-being. This is the label she's applied to herself. And that's what this book is really about--the labels we subscribe to, the perceptions we have of who we are and who we want to be. It is about how others see us, our motivations for our actions and the implications of those actions. This novel has depth, and that depth makes a simple story about an unfortunate clown girl an excellent read.
Nita has decided she is a clown. Not a commercial sell out, but a real artist, and she's modeling herself after her absent boyfriend, Rex Galore. The problem with Nita's aspirations is that she isn't a very good clown, artistically or otherwise. She refuses to give up her dream, however, even to the detriment of her own well-being. This is the label she's applied to herself. And that's what this book is really about--the labels we subscribe to, the perceptions we have of who we are and who we want to be. It is about how others see us, our motivations for our actions and the implications of those actions. This novel has depth, and that depth makes a simple story about an unfortunate clown girl an excellent read.
Helpful Score: 2
I thought the forward for this book was amazing, written by a fellow (ex) classmate who talked about the talent of this author. It made me want to go out and buy HIS book! I did sort of enjoy this, but it was, as others have said, very odd. I guess the main character was a little too manic and out of control than I could get into, there wasn't that much charm. It reminded me a bit of Ginger Man, where the main character is so outrageous it's almost hard to get into the story. But the writing style is good and it's not a constant downer, so that counts for something. I'd say read this with reservations....
Helpful Score: 1
A very odd book but I guess that's what she was going for. I picked up this book because of the cover, for some of the reviews on the back cover, and the introduction. I sort of wish I had left it alone. The book was somewhat interesting but sad in many ways as well. I think it was written to try to catch some of the Seinfeld wave of satire but it is a little late and now seems dated.
