Customer Comments

P.M. Bradshaw has commented on (33) products.

Tenth of December: Stories by George Saunders

P.M. Bradshaw, March 6, 2013

I picked this book up because I’d read four or five glowing reviews, one of which saying it was the ‘best book you’ll read this year.’

It was, in fact, the WORST book I’ve read in a long, long while.

The reviews always seemed to use the word “hilarious,” which just stumped me. What part was hilarious? The poor woman who murders animals because she thinks her husband probably wants her to? The retarded child they keep chained in their backyard? The Iraq vet who’s angry and confused?

Yeah, it was a hilarious read (please note, SARCASM).

It came off like that English teacher everyone had that always talked about writing, but cannot do it himself (or self-published and ended up with 400 copies of his poetry chapbook in his trunk).

Filled with unlikable characters, boring plots, and muddled storytelling, I hated it. This was the first book in a long time that I read in one day; not because I couldn’t put it down, but because I wanted to just get through it and put it behind me.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)

report this comment

The Underpants: A Play by Carl Sternheim by Steve Martin

P.M. Bradshaw, August 21, 2012

The Underpants is a 1910 play written by Carl Sternheim. Mr. Martin has re-written it in an attempt to turn it from a farce into a broad comedy. I saw it performed in 2011 at the Beck Center for the Arts, and I then I read it, also.

While the play is amusing at first, it grows tiresome. The (somewhat) sexual escapades of bored housewife, Louise, quickly take on the likeness of a wacky episode of “Three’s Company.” But without John Ritter’s pratfalls, the jokes begin to fall flat, and the play drags on and on.

The inherent male-dominance of the day becomes misogyny at times, and after awhile, I was left wondering if some of those lines were supposed to be ironically funny, or just mean.

This is not a play I would see or read again.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

report this comment

Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Other Plays by Steve Martin

P.M. Bradshaw, August 21, 2012

Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin) turned out to be a very good playwright! This play revolves around a chance meeting between Picasso and Albert Einstein (and a guy named Schmendiman) prior to their great achievements. It manages to utilize both cheap, easy, low-brow humor, and deep, insightful commentary on both the men and society. A wonderful mix, and a lot of fun!

The remaining three “plays” are more sketches than plays. While “WASP” has some amusing dialogue, none of these three rate higher that 2 or 3 stars.

Worth getting the book for the main feature, though: Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

report this comment

Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin

P.M. Bradshaw, August 21, 2012

Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin) turned out to be a very good playwright! This play revolves around a chance meeting between Picasso and Albert Einstein (and a guy named Schmendiman) prior to their great achievements. It manages to utilize both cheap, easy, low-brow humor, and deep, insightful commentary on both the men and society. A wonderful mix, and a lot of fun!

The remaining three “plays” are more sketches than plays. While “WASP” has some amusing dialogue, none of these three rate higher that 2 or 3 stars.

Worth getting the book for the main feature, though: Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

report this comment

Cruel Shoes by Steve Martin

P.M. Bradshaw, August 21, 2012

This is the white-suited, stand-up comedian Steve Martin - in print. If you like Steve Martin, you’ve probably seen a short film or two that are from this book. You can hear his voice in the delivery of each written word, and it is funny funny funny!

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

report this comment