Read Stay Up with Hugo Best A Novel edition by Erin Somers Literature Fiction eBooks

Product details File Size 1758 KB Print Length 273 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN 1982102357 Publisher Scribner (April 2, 2019) Publication Date April 2, 2019 Language English ASIN B07GNVR5VQ

Stay Up with Hugo Best A Novel edition by Erin Somers Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

• A smart and timely look at relationships - two lost souls tangled in an unpredictable plot laced with humor. Especially enjoyed the beautiful prose mixed with hysterical one-line zingers. Somer writing style is impeccable and her use of the language had me reading paragraphs a second time to enjoy her descriptions of people, places and events. A great read!
• One of those reads that you think might be going somewhere interesting...but actually gets pretty dismal on Every Level...read it because Carl Hiasson wrote some recommendation. I may never forgive him. Certainly will never forgive the promo hack who intimated if you like Carl you might like Whatever Her Name Was. Boy was that a sucker Punch. I repeat ...Ho Hum
• I like the book. I like the main character. I like that it’s not clear what she really wants so it’s not clear whether she’s succeeding or failing. I like that she’s not knocked out on her feet by anything that comes her way but I also don’t see her reaching out for anything either so I don’t feel much for her. She is just like the retired comedian, ready to drift, but she is at the start of her life. But again, it’s not clear to the reader or to her what she wants. She is a master of. equivocation. It depressed me.
• Adored this book. Funny and sharp and thoughtful! I can’t wait to read more from the writer.
• Somers captured the essence of what it's like to be a woman navigating the boys club in a way that is both humorous and honest. It has delightfully funny, un-preachy observations about what masks as opportunity in a male dominated industry. The characters are endearing and relatable. I really enjoyed it.
• Loved it! Somers is a smart and exciting new voice.
• This is the most boring, pedantic book I have ever read in my entire life. Oh my god. I got to about 20% on the and almost threw the small black brick across the room out of frustrated boredom.
  
  A writer's assistant loses her job when the late night TV show she helps write for has its last episode. She is resolved to going back to stand up but when she finishes her set at the local Comedy Cellar-esque dump, she finds herself face to face with the host of the now shuttered show, Hugo Best. He invites her to accompany him to his house in the *someplace I don't care about outside of New York City* as a way to pass the time while the reality of the show being over sinks in.
  
  Oh jesus the whole first quarter of this book is them talking to each other. CONVERSING. First in the chauffeured car to his house, then at his house. We're treated to a description of an empty fridge with mustard jars that have crusted on caps and an unopened Sodastream in the cabinets. My brain is melting just thinking about it. This mundane bullshit just absolutely misses me by a mile. WHERE IS THE STORY IF I WANTED TO READ DIALOGUE THAT GOES NOWHERE I WOULDN'T BECAUSE I DON'T WASTE MY TIME WITH NON-STORY STORIES.
  
  NO. Just...no.
• Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review. After reading a number of dark murder mysteries, I wanted to take a break and read something lighthearted and comical. This was definitely not lighthearted, and reviews calling it hilarious had me fearing I was devoid of any sense of humour. To me, it was the opposite of hilarious, being depressing, poignant and full of melancholy, and with uncertain motivations on the part of the leading characters. It was well written, with much to be said about modern sexual politics, but am unsure of the book's aim, or what conclusion I was supposed to draw.
  
  June Bloom is a 29-year-old who comes across younger in many ways. Her goal in life is to be a comedian along with the fame it could bring. She was performing stand-up comedy at a dive bar. I got the impression that her goal in comedy is probably futile. I can take vulgar stand-up comedy if it is funny, but the snippets of her routine were just plain vulgar. She seems unfocused, yearns to be a celebrity, but sometimes feels unworthy. At other times she angrily states that she deserves the fame. It is unclear whether she has the talent to achieve her ambitions. She is broke, and not taking productive steps to reach her goal or to find another field of employment. She is merely floating through life.
  
  After the open mic show, where many seats were empty and the few in the audience ignoring her routine, she encounters famed celebrity, Hugo Boss. June worked as a writer's assistant for his late night TV show and had a childhood crush on him. She still idolizes him and is in awe of him. Hugo's show has been cancelled, putting them both out of work. Hugo claims to be 65 but is actually a few years older. He seems sad and unexpectedly invites June to his home in Connecticut for the Memorial Day holiday. She accepts, standing up a date with her current boyfriend.
  
  There is a lot of sarcasm and complaining in their dialogue, but they gradually seem to build a tentative bond during her time at his luxurious home. June is able to boost his shattered ego caused by his fate as a celebrity has-been. June is impressed by his mansion, his fleet of cars, his staff, and the luxuries she sees that fame can bring.
  
  I wasn't able to connect with the flawed characters or the situation. It was not what I expected, but others may enjoy this character-driven story.