Rare is the gem that I rate 5 stars.

This book is truly a brilliant tale that encompasses a plethora of themes. It delves deep into the realms of love, where the emotions are raw and intense. Betrayal rears its ugly head, adding a layer of complexity and drama. The concept of dark academia is explored, creating an atmosphere that is both mysterious and captivating. Obsession takes center stage, driving the characters' actions and decisions. And then, there is the beautiful element of a second chance, giving hope and redemption.

I plan to recommend this book widely. It is very well written, with a prose that is not only witty but also wise. The author has a remarkable ability to engage the reader from start to finish. What's more, there are one or two interesting twists at the end that will leave you gasping in surprise.

So, don't hesitate. Read it! You won't be disappointed.

In 1998, I read an interesting story.

It was about the misadventures of a womanizing linguistics professor. This professor, who was highly knowledgeable in the field of linguistics, had a rather notorious reputation when it came to his personal life. He seemed to have an insatiable appetite for women and was constantly getting himself into various awkward and sometimes even dangerous situations because of his womanizing ways.

As the story unfolded, we witnessed his attempts to juggle multiple relationships, often leading to misunderstandings, jealousies, and even confrontations. Despite his academic achievements, his personal life was a complete mess.

It was a fascinating read that not only entertained but also made one reflect on the consequences of our actions and the importance of balance in life. The misadventures of this womanizing linguistics professor served as a cautionary tale,提醒着我们要在追求个人 desires 的同时，也要 be mindful of the impact it may have on ourselves and those around us.

Overall, it was a memorable story that left a lasting impression on me.

This book inescapably calls to mind Lolita. It's a comparison that is hard to avoid.

However, for me, the increased accessibility of this particular work actually worked in its favor.

Unlike Lolita, which can sometimes be a bit of a challenging read due to its complex language and themes, this book has a certain charm that makes it more approachable.

As I delved into its pages, I found myself laughing along with the ride. It was a journey into the toxic and fragile masculinity of its narrator.

The author does an excellent job of exploring the inner workings of this character's mind, revealing his insecurities, his obsessions, and his ultimately self-destructive behavior.

It's a fascinating and often hilarious look at a side of human nature that we don't always like to admit exists.

Overall, I found this book to be a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Here is the story of a man who truly has to fend off the women. All the women in his life are seriously and immediately attracted to him.

Or at least that's how Tom perceives it.

To the rest of us, Tom has been a misogynistic narcissist for years.

When his wife leaves him to marry a man he refuses to name, simply referring to him as "tycoon", Tom's hold on reality begins to crumble. From public spankings, blackmail, live crying fits and suicide threats on television to his old Vietnam "buddies" who promised to re-enter his life...to kill him, Tom is in desperate need of some assistance.

The only aspect that spoilt the book for me was the final 30 pages. I would have preferred an alternative ending. Nevertheless, you should read it and determine whether you concur with me or not.

This book stands out from O’Brien’s other works.

As I read it, I couldn't help but cackle.

It is truly a unique piece, being bizarre, dark, and yet funny all at the same time.

The story it tells is that of a lying, stalking, narcissistic sociopath, and it is surprisingly entertaining.

However, I might be a bit biased in my assessment.

You see, it reminded me of my ex.

Oh, those memories!

It's strange how a book can trigger such emotions and associations.

But regardless of my personal connection, I have to admit that this book has its own charm and吸引力.

It keeps you engaged from start to finish, and you can't help but be intrigued by the actions and thoughts of the main character.

Whether you love it or hate it, one thing is for sure: it's a book that will leave an impression.

His extremely verbose tale was filled with an abundance of laughter. It was his second book, and I simply can't wait for what's to come next.

The way he weaves his words and constructs the story is truly captivating. Each sentence seems to be carefully crafted to bring out the maximum amount of humor and entertainment.

I found myself completely immersed in his world, laughing out loud at every turn. The characters he creates are vivid and full of life, and their antics and dialogues are nothing short of hilarious.

This book has definitely left me hungry for more of his work. I'm eagerly anticipating his next release, hoping that he'll continue to deliver the same level of wit and charm.

In conclusion, his second book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good laugh and an engaging story. I highly recommend it!

I randomly picked up this book simply because it was sitting on my shelf. To my great surprise, it turned out to be quite captivating.

The overall plot was truly interesting, and the writing style enhanced its allure even further. It mainly centers around all the events that led to the narrator's heartbreaking divorce and the subsequent happenings.

In the beginning, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sympathy for Thomas, the narrator. He made it seem as if he had been unjustly treated. However, as the book advanced and all the things he had done were revealed, I came to the realization that he was actually a rather horrible person.

The story is told from his point of view, and at times, I almost felt sorry for him because he always presented everything in a way that favored him. This, in turn, made the book humorous as he was clearly in the wrong but had such a strong victim complex.

Despite the despicable narrator, it was still an enjoyable read, mainly because of the narration style. Being a professor of linguistics, he uses complex and witty language to describe everything that is happening to him.

His life initially falls apart, but he ultimately ends up with a happy ending. I was partially glad about this as I do like a happy ending. At the same time, I couldn't help but think that this guy really didn't deserve it. I just hope that I never have the misfortune of meeting a guy like Thomas.

I really hated it.

The humor in it completely eludes me. I just couldn't seem to understand what was supposed to be funny.

It felt like I was missing some crucial element that would make the jokes land.

Maybe it was the context, or perhaps the style of humor was just not to my taste.

Whatever the reason, I found myself unable to enjoy the piece.

It was frustrating because I wanted to get the joke and have a good laugh, but it just wasn't happening.

I hope that in the future, I'll come across humor that I can actually appreciate and find entertaining.

Until then, I'll keep searching for that perfect brand of comedy that speaks to me.

I was on a long-distance drive recently.

As expected, the idle time and the dullness of the drive led me to think about numerous things, most of which were inconsistent and perhaps even hallucinatory.

Strangely enough, it included a passage in a book where the narrator reluctantly described a card game he lost. In the game, an eight-year-old girl (he complained childishly) cheated and then made fun of him.

The memory of that scene made me burst into laughter, and I was able to focus on the road again for, I don't know, at least another mile or so. I'm truly grateful for that.

It's a small passage in my favorite book by Tim O'Brien. Although I'm aware that he has written literary masterpieces and I've read and adored them, this is the only book of his that I would want to read again. And indeed, I have.

This is the second book I've read by the master writer Tim O'Brien. I had only read the immortal "The Things They Carried" before, and upon learning that "Tomcat in Love" was a comedy, I decided to give it a chance.

Professor Thomas Chippering, a decorated Vietnam veteran in Linguistics, is a horny middle-aged man. He can't let go of his ex-wife Lorna Sue, his first love. He is having an affair with Donna Kooshof, a worldly and highly opinionated woman who isn't afraid to tell him what she wants. He also gets into trouble at work for having a dalliance with his sexy student, Toni, whom he helps write her thesis, with sex along the way. Lorna Sue has incestuous feelings towards her brother Herbie and then marries a rich tycoon, running off to sunny Tampa from Owego, Minnesota.

Thomas, the tomcat, eventually gets fired from his professorship, ends up working at a daycare center, and hits rock bottom after being unable to let go of his wife and indecisive about remaining with Mrs. Kooshof. Hopefully, there might be redemption for him?

When I read this book, seeing that it was published in 1998, the reviews and blurbs were ecstatic, calling it "wildly funny", "the great American novel", and full of comedy. However, it seriously screams of the trope of the horny white man who can't commit to his relationships and uses sex to free himself from pain. It gives off a sense of the hot white male glaze that I don't see much in today's books since our society is more aware that white male privilege is increasingly under scrutiny. Also, the sex scenes are icky and downright misogynistic. But O'Brien does know how to craft a magnificent sentence or two, and that's the saving grace for me as to why I don't hate this book, though I don't like any of the characters. Perhaps if I had read this over 10 years ago, it might have been funnier and more empathic to me. I thought it was an experimental exercise in writing something lighter than his other books, but I felt more pained and a bit put off by reading it.

Austensibly, this is O'Brien's book that "isn't about Vietnam." However, his main character still turns out to be a vet. Nevertheless, it is strikingly different from O'Brien's other books and happens to be my favorite. It is an excellent read for anyone who has ever been in a relationship, whether dating or married, with someone who is truly crazy. By "crazy," I mean someone who is genuinely mentally ill, not in the sense of the casual expression "that bitch is crazy." This book delves deep into the complex dynamics of such a relationship, exploring the emotions, challenges, and perhaps even the unexpected moments of beauty that can emerge. It offers a unique perspective that is both thought-provoking and engaging, making it a must-read for those interested in understanding the human psyche and the intricacies of relationships.

This is a very weird book indeed.

The main character can be best described as sophomoric, juvenile, and immature. One really has to wonder if there are more words to describe his inadequacies. I had a difficult time trying to find a character that I could simply dislike, as I loathed most of them in the novel.

The main character did make an attempt to redeem himself towards the end of the book, but it was far too little and far too late. I had really expected better from this author. It is truly disappointing.

Overall, this book fails to deliver on many levels. The characters are unlikable, the story is lacking in depth, and the attempt at redemption falls flat. I would not recommend this book to others.

Perhaps the author will do better in future works, but for now, this is a book that I would rather forget.