Why didn’t I listen when everyone was telling me to read A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan? It won scads of awards when it come out in 2010, it was on everyone’s radar, and yet I resisted. Why do i do that sometimes?
Well, I thought Good Squad was about music and the entertainment industry. I thought it was about a band called The Goon Squad. I thought it was set in L.A. All these assumptions were, at least partially, incorrect.
A Visit From The Goon Squad is a series of linked short stories. They span about 30 years and true, most of them are tangentially related to the music industry. By that, I mean in most stories at least one character had some connection to music at some point in their lives but music is not the focus on the narrative.
I enjoyed Goon Squad immensely. Egan is a truly talented writer. The stories are multi-layered with strong characters and meaningful themes. A Visit From the Goon Squad just goes to show that sometimes when everyone is raving about a book there is a good reason for it.
Who would like this book? A Visit From the Goon Squad is a great pick for anyone who loves contemporary fiction that pushes the boundaries stylistically. It also provides an insightful commentary on the times in which we live and our dependence on hand held devices. Remember, not so long ago we couldn’t get in touch with others instantly. I would also push this book on anyone (like me) who claims they do not like short stories. Because the stories are linked so closely, there has been a lot of debate as to whether Goon Squad is a novel or a collection of stories. Either way, it made me reconsider my dread of short stories.
52 books or bust 
I’m so glad you liked this! I read it (multiple times) when it came out in paperback. So good!
I can understand why. There is much more to it than I had previously thought.
I do the same thing sometimes- for some reason I decide that I will not like a book as much as everyone else, so I don’t read it. Often, it works out well for me, but sometimes I realize that I have made a big mistake. Luckily, there are lots of other great books out there, so really, it’s not that big of a deal. I have had this one on my list for a long time, but haven’t read it despite all the good things I’ve heard. In this case, only because other books have come first. I’m glad to hear you liked it so much! You have renewed my interest.
I STILL haven’t read this book. I own it, but I need to get my act together and actually read it. I want to even more after reading your review 🙂
Ok, go read it now!! Waiting this long was a big mistake on my part. Correct the error of your ways!!
I also resisted reading this book – I thought the title was – stupid, but as soon as I read it, it instantly became one of my favourite books of all time. As soon as I finished I read it again. I share your dread of stories but it didn’t bother me in this book whatsoever – I think because they were so closely linked.
Why do we do this to ourselves? We should just listen to people we trust who tell us to read!
This book and I did not get along. Not at all. I’m glad you liked it, though. It’s nice to know even books I hate are loved by someone, you know? They all deserve love.
I remember reading this when it won the Pulitzer, I didn’t think much of it at the time but I can’t remember why. This was before I started blogging too, so I don’t have much information. apparently I thought there were too many holes and information missing
I LOVE this one! I’ve read it twice. I got so much more out of it each time. Sometimes I think you need to distance yourself from the hype before you can enjoy a book though.
I kind of put this one off after the initial hype too. I need to just get over it and read it, like you did. It’s been sitting on my shelf for way too long.
Getting over it was the best!!
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