I initially found this book highly amusing, and it truly lured me in. The author's remarkable skill enabled me to perceive the world through the eyes of the main character. However, as time progressed, I began to resent him a little. To be precise, I resented the author because I had already recommended the book to a friend. I felt compelled to keep reading, yet I was growing increasingly annoyed with the character. I ceased laughing and confronted the harsh reality. At one moment, I even felt manipulated by Tim O'Brien and started to hold a grudge against him. Oh, but not to the extent of getting the Mason Jars out. This is precisely what I adored - he is that adept a writer.

This character is not too distant from the people I have encountered.

Now, in the midst of the "Me Too" movement, it is indeed timely.

The character's long-term handling of (no spoilers here) early experiences exudes authenticity.

The ending concludes more swiftly than I had anticipated, but perhaps that is for the better since I ultimately had to give my eyes a rest. Looking back, I believe the pace of the wrap-up mirrored the transformation in the character's mindset.

I have a great affection for the rhyme scheme. It has a certain charm that attracts me.

However, there is something even more precious in my life, and that is my mom. She is always by my side, providing me with love, care, and support.

No matter what difficulties I face or how tough the situation may be, my mom would never leave me. She is my rock, my source of strength.

Her presence gives me a sense of security and makes me believe that everything will be okay.

I am truly grateful for having such a wonderful mom who loves me unconditionally and will always be there for me.

Sometimes, even good writers are capable of producing bad books.

It truly would have been a great kindness if someone had had the courage to tell O'Brien around page 50 to simply abandon the project.

By page 200, it seemed utterly impossible to me that this senseless drivel could persist. However, against all odds, it managed to do so right up until page 370.

The narrative lacked coherence, the characters were one-dimensional, and the plot was meandering and pointless.

It was a real struggle to force myself to keep reading, hoping that somehow it would redeem itself.

But alas, it never did.

It serves as a reminder that even the most talented writers can have off days and produce works that fall far short of their usual standards.

Perhaps O'Brien will learn from this experience and produce something much better in the future.

Interesting Twisted Mind

A twisted mind can be a source of great intrigue and fascination. It often leads to unique perspectives and unexpected ideas.

Those with interesting twisted minds have the ability to see the world in a different light, finding beauty and meaning in the most unusual places.

Their thoughts may take unexpected turns, leading them to question the status quo and challenge conventional wisdom.

This can result in creative solutions to problems and the discovery of new opportunities.

However, a twisted mind can also have its drawbacks. It may cause confusion and misunderstandings, as others may not be able to follow the convoluted paths of their thinking.

Nevertheless, the allure of an interesting twisted mind is undeniable, as it offers a glimpse into a world of limitless possibilities and uncharted territories.

This is O'Brien's first pivot from a more "serious" subject matter to something humorous.

As the narrator, Thomas Chippering leads us on a wild and crazy adventure in his pursuit of love, revenge, and closure. His delusions are truly remarkable, and they are only surpassed by his rather intense erotic obsessions.

The story takes us through a series of absurd and yet strangely captivating events, as Chippering stumbles his way through life, making one comical misstep after another.

Despite the hilarity, there is also a certain poignancy to the tale. We can't help but feel a bit sorry for Chippering, even as we're laughing at his expense.

Overall, it's a great read that manages to balance humor and heart in a truly unique way. It's a book that will have you laughing out loud one moment and then reflecting on the deeper meaning of life the next.

If you're looking for something different and entertaining, this is definitely a book worth checking out.

Wow,

I've had several books lately that I could not finish, and now another one has joined the list. The writing in this particular book was so scatter shot that I just couldn't get my mind into it. It seemed as if the author was jumping from one thought to another without any clear direction. All the reviews I had read before picking up the book said it was so-o-o funny. However, I didn't find this to be the case at all. I tried to push through, hoping that it would get better, but unfortunately, it didn't. I found myself constantly losing interest and having to reread passages just to understand what was going on. In the end, I had to admit defeat and gave up on the book. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to enjoying it, but sometimes you just have to know when to cut your losses.

Full disclosure: I firmly believe that Tim O'Brien is truly one of America's finest novelists within the past 50 years. However, he has unfortunately never received the extensive recognition that he so rightfully deserves. Despite the fact that he won a National Book Award, he is not the widely known household name that he should be. I would place him in the same exalted stratosphere as Roth, Updike, and Irving, just to name a few. This is especially evident in this particular novel, which delves into the life of a man who finds himself caught in a tumultuous maelstrom of love, romance, rejection, and confusion.

O'Brien's novels are masterful achievements. They skillfully interweave strong and engaging plots with complex, often deeply scarred characters, all presented in sparkling and vivid prose. "Tomcat in Love" is no exception. While the novel is marketed as 'brilliantly funny' (and it indeed is, at certain moments), it also possesses a remarkable depth and a compelling quality that keeps the reader hooked.

The book's hero, Tom Chippering, is a lovable yet unreliable narrator. His actions and thoughts made me repeatedly ask myself, "What on earth is WRONG with this guy?? He simply doesn't seem to understand the world around him."

But all Tom desires is love, especially from his childhood sweetheart and now ex-wife, Lorna Sue. In his world, she is a goddess, the epitome of romantic perfection, despite the fact that she ultimately left him for another man.

As a result, Tom spends the entire book in a tailspin, desperately trying to find himself and a replacement for Lorna Sue. His adventures, and his lack of social finesse, frequently land him in rather unenviable positions with various women. It's as if he can't control himself and fails to realize that a single word here or a particular gesture there can be perceived as offensive at best and misogynistic at worst. Much of the book's humor stems from the price he has to pay, over and over again, for these missteps.

Even though Tom is a Vietnam vet and devises convoluted revenge plots against Lorna Sue and her new husband, he remains a sympathetic and appealing character. Throughout the book, one can't help but wonder if Tom has truly lost his mind or if he is just as damaged and lovesick as most other jilted men who yearn for things to return to the way they used to be. Is his paranoia and his inability to properly interact with women the real him, or is it just something that has consumed what was once a reasonable man?

Fortunately, by the conclusion of the book, all is finally revealed.

Tomcat in Love A Novel

Tim O Brien



This is a test! There is no right answer.

He had the appearance, if I may say so, of an ostrich attempting to swallow a toaster.

If you find that funny, you will love Tomcat in Love. If you think otherwise, you may find the book less pleasing in direct proportion to the depths of your otherwise.

Sometimes I try to imagine what a book might be like if it was made into a movie. Would I like the movie? Do I like raunchy PG - 13 movies? Did I like Cheech & Chong? Enough said.

What do others think? On the front cover of the book is this quote:

Tomcat in Love is a wonderful novel, laugh - out - loud funny, one of the best books I’ve come across in years…-- Washington Post

With the help of Google, I find the actual 1998 review. And, in fact, the quote is accurate. But, as it has been said elsewhere: “…no accounting for taste…” and “… everyone has a right to their own opinion…” I would add, “Do not believe reviewer David Nicholson.”

There are 1254 ratings on GR that yield a less than scintillating 3.32 average. Now, I can relate to that. A bit high, I think, but no accounting for taste. About the same number give it two stars as give it a five. Put me in the two column. [Three years later there are more ratings, 2369, but still only a 3.38 average. I am decreasing my own rating to one star since I figure that is what a book ought to get if you are unable to get beyond halfway after two tries.]

In my era the term Tomcat was associated with the male cat on the prowl. Can a cat exhibit promiscuous activity? Amoral sex is common in Tomcat in Love. Not lyrical enough to be erotic, not graphic enough to be pornographic and not funny enough to be ribald or farcical. The shortest self - description by Tom: “I was no simple Lothario; I was complicated.” A longer description by a woman: “If you ask my opinion, you’re a sick, dangerous, compulsive skirt chaser. And a sneak. And a liar.”

The book started out with humor. I was believing its own book cover raves about itself. I like words and thought some of the “linguistic” aspects were clever. But then I just got tired of it. My recommendation: read Tim O Brien’s The Things They Carried and In the Lake of the Woods. These two works by O'Brien are much more engaging and thought - provoking. They explore deeper themes and offer a more profound reading experience compared to Tomcat in Love. While Tomcat in Love may have had its moments of humor and clever language, it ultimately failed to hold my interest throughout. I would suggest that readers who are new to Tim O'Brien's work start with these other two novels to get a better sense of his writing style and talent.

I am a die-hard fan of Tim O'Brien. However, among all his books, this one is the least favorite for me. The Vietnam War is a significant element in each of his works, and perhaps it figures the least in this particular one. Ironically, I discovered that the parts related to Vietnam were the most captivating and realistic.

The narrator and protagonist, Thomas Chippering, is an incorrigible womanizer. Seriously, he simply can't control his urges. He even maintains a ledger documenting all the women he has interacted with, regardless of how fleeting or unimportant the encounter might be. This ledger, in particular, and his overall inclination, constantly land him in trouble. He yearns deeply for his ex-wife, the love of his life (who now wants nothing to do with him), and he frustrates and annoys the one woman who truly loves him.

At times, I felt that the novel was overly repetitive and almost irritating. Nevertheless, O'Brien did a commendable job of bringing clarity and closure at the end. He also demonstrated that the womanizing Chippering was not always a reliable narrator or a reliable judge of human character, for that matter.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book still offers some interesting insights and perspectives, especially when it comes to the complex nature of human relationships and the impact of war.

It is truly astonishing!

This simple phrase "e desconcertante!" holds within it a world of surprise and wonder. It implies a state of being completely taken aback, of having one's expectations shattered.

When something is desconcertante, it has the power to disrupt our sense of normalcy and make us question what we thought we knew.

It could be an unexpected event, a shocking revelation, or a strange phenomenon that leaves us feeling disoriented and confused.

The feeling of being desconcertante can be both thrilling and unsettling, as it forces us to confront the unknown and expand our understanding of the world around us.

Whether it's a beautiful sunset that takes our breath away or a scientific discovery that challenges our beliefs, the desconcertante moments in life are the ones that make us grow and learn.

So, the next time you encounter something that is desconcertante, embrace it with open arms and allow it to take you on a journey of exploration and discovery.

This book gets a half star for the punchy title, which initially caught my attention.

And it also earns another half star for my previous enjoyment of Tim O'Brien's other books. However, everything else about this novel was absolutely horrific.

The main character is depicted as a vile pervert, and the fact that he wins in the end is truly baffling. I seriously question your sanity, Mr. O'Brien.

I would strongly recommend that you don't waste your time reading this confuddling nonsense. It fails to deliver any meaningful or redeeming qualities.

The plot is convoluted and makes little sense, and the characters are one-dimensional and unlikable.

Overall, this book is a huge disappointment and not worth the effort.

This is a well told and very funny novel that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

The story is filled with interesting characters and humorous situations that will make you laugh out loud.

The author has a great sense of humor and uses it to full effect in this novel.

The plot is engaging and the pacing is just right, making it a page-turner that you won't be able to put down.

Whether you're looking for a lighthearted read to pass the time or a novel that will make you forget about your troubles, this one is definitely worth checking out.

You'll find yourself completely immersed in the world of the novel and rooting for the characters to succeed.

Overall, it's a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good laugh and an entertaining story.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up this novel today and get ready to have a great time!