HYSTERICAL This is by far one of my most favorite books. I laughed out loud all the way through it.
Great Premise, Lackluster Story I picked up this book after the cover ironically attracted my interest. I adored the first 100 pages or so, yet I'm always a sucker for sardonic banter and irreverent humor. Underneath the humor lies a story lacking any real character development or a coherent plot. As some would agree, the ending served its purpose, yet still left the reader completely unsatisfied. I failed to notice the protagonist come of age in this supposed "coming of age" novel, but maybe it's just a "design" thing. Quick read, and ultimately a forgettable one. The best "coming of age" novel I've ever read. I feel like a party crasher. I don't know why it took me so long to read "The Cheese Monkeys," I'd been aware of it for a number of years. Finally, in the dullest of doldrums, where every book I'd pick up ultimately failed to engage my imagination, I read this roaringly funny coming of age novel.
Written by graphic designer Chip Kidd, "The Cheese Monkeys" is a novel of art school academia, which I thought would bore me. However, the book is wholly original and thought provoking. It's smart, has style to spare, and is unique in execution. The characters all seem true to life - even the broadest of them are free of exaggeration and conjure memories of people I've actually known.
I'm not going to bore you with quotes and details from this gem; just know this: "The Cheese Monkeys" is a GREAT American novel and you'd be a damned fool not to read it. my staple recommendation I read this book several years ago and still it is my number one recommendation for friends looking for a good read. Chip Kidd's humor is great and, for the most part, light with the exception of a few dark or inappropriate jokes (but even those had me in stitches).
Definitely recommend for anyone who is an art major, graphic design major, etc... I'm not a major in that field, but I still enjoyed the references
Just a wonderful, quick read. I was torn--I wanted to finish the story, but I didn't want it to end! The best book I've read in a long time! I just finished the book and I must say I was borderline depressed that it was over. It is one of the most clever, innovative, and humorous books I've read in a long time. I highly recommend it to anyone who's any sort of art major or really any major at all. Even though it's set in the fifties, it captures the college experience, no matter what decade you attended or whether you're in college now. I can't say enough about this book other than, READ IT!
