Eating the Dinosaur

Puzzling, but Brilliant

I don't really know what to make with this particular work--Kurt Cobain & Koresh, time travel, Ralph Sampson, the forward pass. This anthology of new essays runs the gambit of topics. In his element, Chuck is brilliant, but sometimes he reaches for something that is just not there. Good read, very much a conversation starter, but I don't know if this is his best work.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read...

I like Chuck Klosterman's non-fiction writing. The article on ABBA is very entertaining. Very witty writer. Sometimes he tries to hard to emulate David Foster Wallace but clearly, he is moving in his own signature direction. Can't wait for the next one.

Klosterman Matures.

Eating The Dinosaur is a return to the form of Sex, Drugs and Chuck Klosterman IV. Full of essays of irreverant views of pop-culture of all varieties: Music, movies and sports most notably. If there can be a unifiing theme to it all perhaps it is best described as essays on preception and time.
This is certainly not Klostermans best work. But it is undeniably Klosterman. ABBA vs. the World, how are Curt Cobain and David Koresh the same person. Did Ted Kazynski have a valid point. Klosterman looks at things like we would never imagine. Sometimes he seems just reaching for straws to connect the dots that just arent there all in the name of being profound. Yet, thats Chuck Klosterman for you.
If your know and like Chuck Klostermans work, this one will not disapoint. However this is certainly not a book to use as a jumping off point for Mr. Klostermans works. It is more serious and scope and view then his previous efforts. There is no doubt Klosterman's work is maturing as much as his readers are maturing with him.

Not for everyone, but definitely for you.

In Chuck Klosterman's newest book Eating the Dinosaur, he explores the American pop culture yet again. Author of several books including IV and Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, he is no amateur when it comes to making satirical side comments about Elliot Spitzer or Nirvana. He has written for "Spin", "Esquire", ESPN, and The New York Times Magazine. Analyzing sports, rock music and just about everything else in our pop culture for 15 years has given Klosterman some entertaining and provocative insight. At times he tends to trail off and ramble on about some off topic tangent for a few paragraphs, but he always managed to reel me back in. His explanations are wordy, but by the time he wraps up and makes his point you completely understand what he is talking about. So, for that, I thank him for his "wordiness". Possibly my favorite thing about Klosterman is his constant use of pop culture references; Mad Men on AMC, Nirvana's "In Utero" album, Snuggies, and football. These references are usually pretty funny and are very helpful when he's getting his point across. Several times I caught myself chuckling; and on a few occasions I was audibly cracking up, and one time my stomach started to ache from all the laughter. So I'd say the book is pretty funny. Another great facet of Klosterman's writing style is his ability to make you think. You'll read a passage in his book; it will stick with you, pester you all day until you come up with your own conclusion or simply give up. In no way is this a bad thing either, it's the number one reason I kept reading this book. I couldn't get some of his more serious monologues out of my head. I kept thinking about them and occasionally brought them up into other conversations. Yet, I loved every minute of it. His ability to make me think, make my brain hurt, but still leave me hungry for more is why I truly enjoyed this book. I would recommend it, especially if you've read Chuck Klosterman before. However, if this is your first time reading Klosterman you might want to take this book with a grain of salt. It isn't for everybody, but the people this was written for will absolutely love this book. Oh, and who wouldn't want to read an entire chapter devoted to ABBA?

Chuck Klosterman does what he does best in Eating The Dinosaur.

If your a Chuck Klosterman fan then you know exactly what this book is about, if you read Sex Drugs and Cocoa Puffs then you already know whats in store for you. But for the people who have not read a Chuck Klosterman book then please do. Klosterman goes over just about anything you can think of from sports to time travel (which was an amazing chapter) and on from there. He shares his personal experiences and his intellect. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for someone to turn to as a friend in times like these.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.