Goat: A Memoir

A Poignantly Disturbing Tale about the Pursuit of Popularity and Acceptance

I suspect that some of the people who have praised this book have never actually been part of a fraternity. I have been. I believe that the people who focused on the violence in the memoir missed the point of the book. Personally, I believe that the book is primarily about the fear of always being a social outcast. Brad Land's brother, Brett, is presented in the book as the All-American guy. He was charismatic, good-looking and well-respected. Essentially, Brett was a Big Man on Campus. The author, Brad, on the other-hand was, by his own admission, socially-awkward, bland in the looks-department and regarded as an oddity. The book meticulously lays out how Brad attempted to acquire all of the characteristics that Brett had; all the things that would allow him to become part of the 'in' crowd. The irony is that he suffers all these indignities (real and imagined) at the hands of his fraternity brothers in the hopes of eventually becoming a Big Man on Campus himself only to discover that he may never have what it takes to bridge the gap between being that ideal guy as opposed to being the outcast that he was. I believe that anyone who has been involved in fraternity life or major college sports would appreciate this memoir on some level regardless of its factual validity.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Can't handle the truth?

In college, I was an initiated member of a fraternity. It was scary how much the book reminded me of my own pledgeship. You can debate all you want whether Brad was right in writing about it, but I am very inclined to believe all that stuff actually happened, especially the line-ups. For the Kappa Sigs that posted here, it's a shame you can't live up to the truth. Whether you believe hazing is right or not, it happens, and it it's real, and this guy had the courage to talk about it. Next time, keep your fellow actives in check if you don't want it in a book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Nerini

Get out!

Erik

My hous at slay page two all results

Oseroshito

The young ocelot stares at the people. "What are they doing here?"

Leiabay

Tommorow, k? Im tired. Goodnight *gets in bed. Their is a can of whip cream and a feather on the floor

Cindy

*falls down to the ground crying*

A beautiful memoir that will move all those who read it.

I don't care where you sit on the subject of hazing and the college greek communities; but reading Brad Land's story will find a way to affect you personally. I read this book and related it to my brother's successful time in the frats and saw how something that has well-meaning can suddenly turn out of control. I will say that I read this book on the NYC subways and had to regularly assure those strangers around me that I wasn't hurt, abused or traumatized due to the torrent of tears I was crying while reading this book.

yay

This is a highly disturbing, yet very real story about things that actually happened. The narration style was a bit confusing because the author used no quotation marks, but it was good for a memoir.

Author missed an opportunity

The story started out prety good, but the author missed an opportunity to expand on the event that scarred the protagonist for life. Once he gets off to college, everything starts to drag and I didn't really care about him any longer.

Okay, but was hoping for more

Brad Land has a different writing style which may not appeal to some. Parts of the book read more like a narrative poem. He had a brutal experience at the beginning of the book that stays with him throughtout the book. I don't feel he was trying to bash the Fraternity as much as deal with his own ghosts. It just never really has a climax and deals more with his thoughts and feelings. The back of the book's description is somewhat misleading, but overall it's an okay book.

Wrong

The book is entirely fictional, the author never pledged to Kappa Sigma fraternity. He is just going on what rumors he has heard from others.

Not a classic, but a hell of a good start

Brad Land deserves credit for his slingblade prose- fierce, lean, and bloody. Only those who have witnessed real violence first hand can appreciate the long term impacts and permanent effects. It's no suprise, in the least, to see condemnation about this book from the priveleged dim-wits of the fraternity house. Like we ever believed you when you said it was about 'brotherhood' and philantropy! Spend ten minutes with a group of Sig Nu's or Tekes and the true purposes will become revealed: pulling chicks, getting drunk, and stupid pranks. And then, when someone comes forward with a true account of the mindless, stupid, antics of fraternity life, denounce it with claims of 'discrimination' and 'prejudice.' I knew a guy named Tom Bliehorn who was in a frat at Ohio State. For a fun and giggles, he and two other brothers would go to a bar, and one of them would insult and harass and start a fight with some poor schmuck who was minding his own business. When the poor fool tried to protect himself, SURPRISE! It's now 3 vs. 1 and you lose. Great philanthropy! Yes, yes, we know...it's about brotherhood and raising money for the Special Olympics. Thanks, Brad Land, for dismantling that myth.

this book is riviting

I bought this book for my teenaged son who doesn't like to read. I could hardly put it down myself, and he was engrossed. Those who focus on this as a frat bashing book are missing much. This is one persons life experience, not meant to be taking as a frat bash, but as his experience. This book presented a accurate account of where many a young adult mind and actions are, and reminds the reader of just how fragile life and relationships are -- all done in a manner that a young man can relate to. A great book.

Goat

Land has really written a piece of art. The stream of consciousness form of writing flows well and makes the work hold the reader's attention. While many reviewers see this as just sour grapes and retaliation stemming from a bad experience with a fraternity, one must read deeper. It's about a troubled young man that had a serious incident as a teenager and now must deal with his psychological issues in a forum where humiliation is key. I was a member of a southern fraternity, also, but I read this as a recount of a young man trying to escape his demons - not create them in others.

Not worth the time

I agree with the reviewer who stated that this is not well-written at all- possibly due to the author's writing inexperience. Joining a fraternity by no means eliminates his freedom or right to do what he wants. I don't have much respect for him as an author for not having the self respect, self-confidence and 'guts' to walk away from a situation he wasn't happy with. I also don't respect him for trying to bring shame to a long-stading respected fraternity by associating himself with it as a one-time pledge. One supposed instance an author tries to depict does not dictate the sentiment and actions of the fraternity as a whole- or any part of it for that matter.

Instant Classic

i find it amazing that the same brand of Clemson figures who tormented Mr. Land in his story have come out of the woodwork to bully him some more via their bn.com reviews. whoever cried 'it isn't the system's fault' is missing the point; Mr. Land never explicitly blames anyone for his experiences. if any system is to blame, it's the natural system of mortal suffering. this book travels bracingly through agonizing pastures. on par with 'short of a picnic.'

Please feel sorry for me...

That is the theme that seems to run through this book. I do feel that Mr. Land's portrayal of the Greek system is accurate although his portrayal of Clemson is not. It doesn't speak well of the writer when he can't even get the landmark names correct. It is hard to praise someone's writing when it is a product of not being able to value ones self.

A poorly written book, at best.

If this is an example of new, upcoming writers of our age, then we need a return to the classics. Land's staccato-style of writing is tedious to read, and I found it a struggle to finish the story. His plot seemed to be overly dramatized, as were his descriptions of characters and events. Although I have no connection to Clemson, or Kappa Sig fraternity, this book appears to be written only to sensationalize hazing, and to discredit the university.

Goat is rivetting

Brad Land's prose is immediate and thrilling from the very first page, which I re-read several times because it is one of the best first pages of a book that I can recall. The writing might have seemed overly stylish if the story of Brad's experiences, and the delicate way in which he relates his feelings about his experiences, were not so moving and profound. I finished the book in only three sittings because I hated to stop reading.