Walks with Men Audiobook

" This short novel is hard to put down. I love the way the narrative weaves between enticing characters and peculiar backgrounds. I haven't lived in NYC for 3 years, but it made me nostalgic for home and those who dwell in Gotham. "

" I love Beattie's spare prose and Jane, the protagonist, who analyzes her own obliviousness in such a relatable (and heart-rending) way. The end lost me, but a good read overall. "

" Maybe she should stick to short stories. This had no real believable plot or character development. I never cared about the people. I love her short stories. But this is not the winner I expected it to be. "

" I'm sure there's a lot of meaning to be found in this slight little book, but I'll admit, it was completely lost on me... "

" I stopped reading this a quarter of the way in. I was so annoyed I couldn't take it anymore, and considering how short this book is that is saying something. The story itself tries so desperately to be profound but rings pretty hollow instead, and the characters themselves are so pretentious that if I were at a cocktail party with them I'd tell them to take their New York Times essays to someone who cares, and then I'd turn around and leave before even tasting the hors d'ourves. "

" This was a great Saturday morning read, but I'm not sure I'd have enjoyed it so much if I weren't on a holiday weekend. The writer's strong, interesting, intelligent voice makes the hard lessons in the book go down easily - as did the ironic, self-aware humor. If anyone wants to borrow it, let me know! "

" Read it in the afternoon and evening after completing My Own Country, and the contrast was startling, so at first I felt that I was reading something superficial and trendy. Then it grew on me, and I understood how the author used superficialities to point to meaning. "

" The Strand highly recommended her book so I trusted their recommendation. The story is set in NYC and that is probably the only reason, besides The Strand's recommendation, why I read it. The romantic storyline is a bit cliche as I have known many women/men who have been in similar enough situations. Glad I read it but not my favorite story. "

" Very quick read. Charming writing. Odd, intriguing characters. Interesting imagery. Excellent palate cleanser. "

" I'm not so sure I understood it, but I think I liked it. Unrelated to the story, Willow took a bite out of the cover, not a good move for a library book. "

" A little disappointing. Relationship angst because of a controlling partner, though the protagonist is exasperating too. A slim little volume. "

" What is this?? I didn't get it at all. The guy is condescending and the girl is egocentric. That's about it and nothing changed throughtout the story. The only thing that stayed with me is the Tiffany blue box. Maybe I should get one for my ash. "

" Still trying to like/understand Ann Beattie. It's not that I think she's a bad writer; there's just something I'm not getting about her writing. Have to pass on reviewing this one. "

" Strange, is all I can say. "

" Pretentious piece of crap. "

" I was hoping this book would've been better than it was, but still a smart, quick read. Finished it in one sitting. "

" An odd little novella but wow, what writing. I have a new author's writing to explore. "

" Disappointingly amateur and trite. "

" short and not boring "

" Got it because of Miranda July and Lorrie Moore's blurbs on the back cover. It's not as great as they say it is, so try not to be disappointed. "

" ugh, novella set in 80's NY about woman who falls for older-pretentious-shady man, don't bother "

" Lovely writing but only okay story. "

" Well done. Amazing ability to evoke emotion in such a short piece of work. "

" Very nicely. Such a 'With taste' book. "

" This genre (we could call it "published in the New Yorker, or may as well have been") makes me depressed. "

" I'm surprised that this novella has been getting bad reviews. I thought the writing was beautiful. If there is something readers aren't liking, I'm sure it's the characters. It's true, they aren't likable. But they also seem very real, and that's why I liked them. "

" Reliably entertaining Beattie, though the main character was a dolt. Though that might have been the point. "

" Easy short read that I picked up while waiting for a ride from the library. Not very in depth or high brow. Main character starts sounding a little whiney near the end but Beattie has talent for the short story format. "

" An ok narrative, left me empty. wanted more depth.<br/> "

" Maybe she should stick to short stories. This had no real believable plot or character development. I never cared about the people. I love her short stories. But this is not the winner I expected it to be. "

" Strange, is all I can say. "

" A little disappointing. Relationship angst because of a controlling partner, though the protagonist is exasperating too. A slim little volume. "

" Totally off beat but interesting none the less. I couldn't tell you the story line because I don't really think there is one other than it's about a girl and her messed up relationships with men. It's short so good to read on a train ride or something "

" Not as good as Lorrie Moore. "

" I love Ann Beattie's writing but I did not love this story! Strong, smart woman makes horrible choice in a tool of a man and then the aftermath. Because it's Ann Beattie I kept on reading. "

" Still trying to like/understand Ann Beattie. It's not that I think she's a bad writer; there's just something I'm not getting about her writing. Have to pass on reviewing this one. "

" I don't usually read short stories - unless they are Stephen King! At any rate, this one was different, a little anticlimactic but interesting. I was expecting some profound meaning, but actually, it is just life and specific tribulations. "