I read All Fours, cover to cover, on a flight home from Stockholm last Sunday. I had so many feelings - truly mixed feelings - about the book, I’m still trying to process it all…there were some cringey scenes which made me very uncomfortable, some laugh out loud scenes, and lots of perplexing situations which I wasn’t prepared for. Glad I read it, not sure how quickly I’d recommend it, though.
I totally agree that the book is .... A LOT. I think that Miranda July is just the oddest person in the world but I just look at all of that aspirationally. Like she said in that quote towards the end of my post... basically.... aspire to a level of weirdness that matches YOUR spirit. I found the chapters with Claire and the motel room renovation just so insane... but then I thought... honestly... I don't think I find THIS especially believable... but I can totally imagine finding myself in a ridiculous situation of a lesser order simply because I got carried away... lol
The hotel redecorating made me laugh, I could picture what she was going after - the beautiful setting of the Parisian hotel room. But other parts weren’t just odd, they were vulgar. Gross. Not something I needed to read or consider. That’s what troubles me the most, as a 47 year old woman - would I even have remotely similar thoughts to Miranda July? No.
I'm about 50 pages in, will be dedicating the weekend to finishing it up!
"Sexuality, creativity, desire, optimism, professional success are in many ways expressions of the same energy - your life force." Yes, yes, yes to this! Really grateful for your views on this story. Beautiful reactions.
When I first heard of this book, I had not expected to like it. But on your rec and with some unexpected extra reading time I picked it up. Whoa! I completely relate to the experience of having to put it down multiple times, at various moments that were TOO MUCH. Thank you— I love a ridiculous yet moving read in which we get a completely singular middle age woman character.
I finished All Fours a couple of days ago and I'm still processing it. July is such a gifted storyteller, but parts of the novel (which you mention) were too much for my taste. Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review. You make some excellent points about connecting with ourselves.
I *love* this review and I love All Fours. I'm not done with it yet but I have had so many similar experiences of having to put it down so I can go scream or, uh, something else, in another room. I read "The First Bad Man" last year and there are lines from it that jump into my brain constantly. I loved reading your experience of All Fours.
I read All Fours, cover to cover, on a flight home from Stockholm last Sunday. I had so many feelings - truly mixed feelings - about the book, I’m still trying to process it all…there were some cringey scenes which made me very uncomfortable, some laugh out loud scenes, and lots of perplexing situations which I wasn’t prepared for. Glad I read it, not sure how quickly I’d recommend it, though.
I totally agree that the book is .... A LOT. I think that Miranda July is just the oddest person in the world but I just look at all of that aspirationally. Like she said in that quote towards the end of my post... basically.... aspire to a level of weirdness that matches YOUR spirit. I found the chapters with Claire and the motel room renovation just so insane... but then I thought... honestly... I don't think I find THIS especially believable... but I can totally imagine finding myself in a ridiculous situation of a lesser order simply because I got carried away... lol
The hotel redecorating made me laugh, I could picture what she was going after - the beautiful setting of the Parisian hotel room. But other parts weren’t just odd, they were vulgar. Gross. Not something I needed to read or consider. That’s what troubles me the most, as a 47 year old woman - would I even have remotely similar thoughts to Miranda July? No.
Ahhhhhh this was so beautiful and alive. Im buzzing.
Also just realized this was the 69th issue 🫠
I'm about 50 pages in, will be dedicating the weekend to finishing it up!
"Sexuality, creativity, desire, optimism, professional success are in many ways expressions of the same energy - your life force." Yes, yes, yes to this! Really grateful for your views on this story. Beautiful reactions.
When I first heard of this book, I had not expected to like it. But on your rec and with some unexpected extra reading time I picked it up. Whoa! I completely relate to the experience of having to put it down multiple times, at various moments that were TOO MUCH. Thank you— I love a ridiculous yet moving read in which we get a completely singular middle age woman character.
I finished All Fours a couple of days ago and I'm still processing it. July is such a gifted storyteller, but parts of the novel (which you mention) were too much for my taste. Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review. You make some excellent points about connecting with ourselves.
Read it. Loved it. Really appreciate your thoughts/reflections!
I *love* this review and I love All Fours. I'm not done with it yet but I have had so many similar experiences of having to put it down so I can go scream or, uh, something else, in another room. I read "The First Bad Man" last year and there are lines from it that jump into my brain constantly. I loved reading your experience of All Fours.