3Guys1Book - Latest Comments in Victory Lap by George Saunders

Re: Victory Lap by George Saunders

Patrick T. Kilgallon — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:56:30 -0000

I really love the techinques that he uses but, I have a hard time buying that Kyle Boot would overcome and be the hero of the day. The ending seems too safe to me. I guess I have too much love for the dreadful to accept this ending, because Joyce Carol Oates wrote 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?' which was a real stomp in the nuts, rip out your spine, sobbing and depressed for days kind of scary. I admire the crafting of 'Victory Lap' but not really into the 'then everybody live happily ever after.' But at the same time, maybe good news happen mostly. The only time news truely become news is when it turns bad or nasty which is rare enough to hit the internets across the nation. So maybe that why the story ended like that. I guess I demand sacrifices of characters' spiritual lives like some kind of a mad readergod. But everything else was done, brillant and masterful, from the author's skinny dipping into the ponds of characters' naked thoughts to notes and items left by Kyle's chores-obsessed parents.

Re: Victory Lap by George Saunders

DH — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:51:44 -0000

You know, JE, I was afraid to look at comments for this review because I had said some negative things. In the NY publishing culture, you're not allowed to say that you don't like something.

But you had better be careful what you say, JE, or they won't let you into NY to promote West of Here, your new novel, when it comes out next Fall. But I'll let you in through the back door if necessary.

Re: Victory Lap by George Saunders

jonathan evison — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:04:56 -0000

quit apologizing, DH! stick to your guns . . . i'm tired of smug NYer cartoons, too . . . in fact, i'm just sorta' tired of the clubbish NYer culture in general . . .

Re: Victory Lap by George Saunders

DH — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:38:58 -0000

Okay Andrew, maybe there's a bit more substance here than I think but the story still sounds a bit like it's making the points that would be covered in a high school ethics course.

I do regret trashing New Yorker cartoons in my review. But it's true that I can't read them anymore.

Re: Victory Lap by George Saunders

Andrew Ross — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:52:26 -0000

agreed with the work points but felt a bit differently overall. i think hes tackling some serious issues (religion, good/evil, dark/light, etc.) in a should-i-be-half-smiling? way. solid story. check out my video review for more..