Fiction Book Club
The Confessions of Max Tivoli
by Andrew Sean Greer
Buy book: $14.49

A beautiful and daring feat of the imagination, "The Confessions of Max Tivoli" reveals the world through the eyes of "monster," a being who confounds the very certainties by which people live and in doing so embodies in extremis what it means to be human.
 

wow. Quite an interesting idea, a man growing young instead of old. The absurdity and uniquness of the plot really hooked me right away. i am interested to know about all the things he kept on apologizing for. i would like to read the rest!

"There is a dead body to explain. A woman three times loved. A friend betrayed. And a boy long sought for. "

Well, my curiosity is piqued! I'm enjoying the writing style and already have this one reserved.

I tried to read this book a few months ago, and it was just a bit far-fetched in the idea that a person can age backwards. Needless to say, I couldn't finish it. It just didn't hold my attention.

Although an interesting concept (growing younger etc) I'm not sure I am up to reading this right now...it's just not grabbing me for some reason. I recently finished The Time Traveler's Wife which I loved but don't know that I want to read this one right now. I'm skimming the installments.

I thought The Time Traveler's Wife was amazing! This one...I'm not so sure.

Yes, "The Time Traveler's Wife" has got to be the book that has made the strongest impression on me that I've read in the last year or so.

Don't know if this one is for me, but you've got to admit that was a very inventive "de-flowering scene" in installment two.

This is an interesting beginning, but I am not hooked. I liked last week better. I will read more tomorrow, but am not too sure about this at all.

Don't be too impressed by the uniqueness and cleverness of this story about a man aging in reverse. I first encountered this idea in a book of Arthurian stories dating back centuries. Merlin aged in reverse which is why he was so wise! That said, I will probably read the book anyway because it is always interesting to see how an author puts together a plot like this and I like historical fiction.

I agree with the other readers who have said that the first installments hint to a very mysterious book. However, does it promise more than it can deliver? That concept reminds me of the claims made by Scott Peterson's attorney in the opening statements of the trial; it sounded good like he had a tight case, but the speaker did not deliver satisfactorily on his promises.

Plus, even those of us who do not age backwards tend to have a lot of regrets, esp. about lost love.

The guy is always spying and admits that he's a monster. Maybe this guy is a little pervert in addition to being a freak!

The part about his mother's opinion of his smell while he was breastfeeding reminds me of a spoof I heard on the radio while driving to work this morning. How do you know when your child is too old to breastfeed? He can unbutton your blouse himself. He invites his friends over for dinner. He winks at you while he's feeding. He finishes his dinner with a big beer belch!

I enjoyed the first two installments of the book and am interested in reading the rest of the week but not sure if I will read the complete book. I am a more visual person and it seems as if the idea would be easier to grasp visually.

I too was thoroughly raptured by The Time Travelers Wife. However, this one isn't really pulling me in. Not sure why...

There are few new literary ideas, witness the Jane Austen mystery series and the endless continuing adventures of Sherlock Holmes. But usually those authors at least give credit to the orginators. This author has completely stolen the plot of F. Scott's Fitzgerald "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" without even tipping his hat to Fitzgerald. This story has been very popular over the years and is included in many collections. Two years ago, another writer based her own short story collection on it called "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Apt. 3w." Basically Andrew Greer has expanded the short story into a novel and credits the concept to himself. I think it works better as a short story, and I think Fitzgerald was a much more clever writer.

Wow...that IS interesting! I didn't know Fitzgerald wrote a short story about this. Even though I am not reading any more of this book now I want to read Fitzgerald! Thank you!!

I just joined the book club last week & this is the first book I've read with all of you. So far, I'm happy with the club & especially like Suzanne's cute, humorous, insightful stories before the book excerpts.

I agree with the others above who have said this book isn't pulling them in. I go to school part time & usually have to spend my time reading texts for school so I try to pick books that really pique my interest to read in my leisure time.

I'm now intrigued to read Time Traveler's Wife though . . .

You will love it! But be prepared - it's quite DIFFERENT. It will shock you, astound you and tug at all your heartstrings.

I find it confusing and not very interesting.

Very interesting book. I love the way the story was written. This way just an interesting and pleasant story to read.