- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Zoyd
Posted July 2, 2012
I read this book on a recommendation from a friend, and even though I was skeptical at first - novel with stories? sounds kind of precious! - I ended up really loving it. The framing narrative is a hilarious take-down of Hollywood's obsession with reality TV, and of how TV these days seems to be going back to the good old bad old Victorian days of the freakshow. That alone would make for a very satisfying read because the writing is sharp and often very funny, but what took THE KING OF PAIN to the next level for me were the stories that are set into the framing narrative. They're all about people who are in actual pain, are actually suffering - and somehow manage to transcend and overcome that suffering. Some of the stories are pretty dark, others are serio-comic, and they're all polished little gems that form an interesting counterpoint to the zaniness of the main story. The whole thing reads a bit like a modern-day DECAMERON - highly recommended!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 28, 2012
The reviews are right, this is a very funny book. And very original. But they don't mention another writer that should be referenced: Martin Amis. The narrator, Rick Salter, reminded of the best Martin Amis characters. Totally unabashed, totally funny, totally diabolical and yet somehow also on the "money."
As someone who thinks Reality TV is an oxymoron, I really liked The King of Pain -- and the short stories in A History of Prisons, which range from being totally sobering to slightly insane ("The Translator).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.gracebanks
Posted July 2, 2012
This book has got it all. The frame narrative is a really smart, dark, and totally off-the-wall take on reality TV that is about as timely as they come. But what really drew me in were the stories Rick reads about imprisonment while he's trapped under his entertainment system (fitting, right?). This collection of tales shows so much depth and variety, and each story transports you somewhere entirely new. Some stories are serious, some exuberant and funny, but they are all equally captivating. The book description mentions Calvino, and I definitely got the same reading pleasure of seeing glimpses of so many different worlds. The structure of the book is unusual and original, but I would definitely suggest taking a chance on this one.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 2, 2012
A hilarious, clever book. Rick Salter's luck has finally run out when he wakes up pinned under his entertainment center-- and what follows is an evocative contemplation on what it means to be trapped: trapped under an entertainment center, trapped in a prison cell, and trapped in the glitz and glam of fame and money.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I just loved this book! The writer has an engaging writing style that he uses to tell funny, quirky, engaging stories! Once I started the book, I couldn't wait to read each story. I recommend this book for a trip where you will have lots of starts and stops.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.typer
Posted July 22, 2012
Reality really hits Rick Sallter, reality show TV producer in this very funny novel. Kaufman gets the excesses of the industry and adds vignettes of true life in meaningful doses.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Tometourist
Posted October 4, 2012
Very interesting and humorous. Different from anything that I've ever read. The format was quite unique with the short stories within the main storyline. An easy and enjoyable read. I've never read Seth Kaufman before, but I would consider reading more by him.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.WineGuy95113
Posted September 7, 2012
Meh!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tomroust
Posted August 31, 2012
Exceptional, Original, Nothing Like It
I can't think of any other book that goes the places this does, with the structure, the voices, the stories and the humor and the agony. There is something for everyone here -- unless you hate profanity or hilarity. And the ending: ingenious. A great find.
Anonymous
Posted September 26, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted August 2, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted August 31, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted July 22, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
"One of 2012's most enjoyable novels." - Neil Genzlinger, The New York Times
A riotously funny portrait of an out-of-control entertainment mogul and a dazzlingly original look at torture, The King of Pain is part Jennifer Egan, part Italo Calvino, part "Entourage," and 100% marvelous.
Rick Salter ...