There are a couple of things I love about this book. The first things is how layered it is. It's an accomplishment to make a book that is both funny and profound, which this is. But to also make a book that is both pornographic and heartwarming is really impressive.The other thing I love is that it never feels like the story is going to a particular place. While reading it feels like anything can happen. And not because it feels like a twist is coming, more like there's nothing to twist. I was vaguely aware of Miranda July before picked this one up, now I am a fan. I feel the need to give prospective readers of this book a quiz.Do you like HBO's Girls? YES NODo you think you would like HBO's Girls on steroids? YES NODo you generally appreciate black humor? YES NODo you like performance art? YES NOWhat if that performance art came in the form of a book? YES NOScore each Yes with 1 point. Make sure you score at least a 4 before proceeding.Seriously, this book is simultaneously whacked out, hysterical, disgusting, and oddly moving.Initially I thought the book was spoofing 50 Shades of Grade.And then I thought it wasn't spoofing, but was actual porn.Fortunately, that was just for one chapter.The first half of the book and the last half are very different. The first half screams "look at me, look at me, I'm cool, I'm hip, I'm a performance artist writing a book." It also is very, very funny. It's entirely black humor. If you think it is serious, then you really won't like the book. I NEVER laugh out loud at books. Not books written by comedians, but there are some scenes in this one that definitely had me chuckling.The second half is much more of a traditional novel and is more sweet and touching.It's the combination of the two that probably convinced Amazon to recommend this as one of the best books of January. Trust me, you will think the editors lost their mind if you don't actually finish the whole book.The book revolves around a woman, Cheryl, in her forties who is narcissistic and really hasn't grown up. She also is a little nutty in some of her belief systems . . .just a little on the fringe. Clee, the 20-something daughter of Cheryl's bosses, needs a place to live and moves in with Cheryl. The book revolves around the two women, but there are a number of sub plots that somehow in the end do actually connect together. They all made me feel a little dirty while reading them to be a little honest. But on some level, this train wreck of a first half barrels down the track to a touching second half, and I find myself reflecting back on the whole thing as a fun, very fresh, read.I'm recommending this to exactly no one unless you pass the quiz above. Really. Whatever you do, do NOT bring this book up as a suggested title for your face to face book club.
What do You think about First Bad Man (2000)?
at once disturbing and touching! i need to read more of her stuff
—Swikriti
it was really weird but impossible to put down
—JacquelineMann
