Robin's Reviews > All Fours
All Fours
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This was bizarre, in the way you expect Miranda July to be bizarre. It's her trademark. And it was funny, in the way you expect her to be funny. Toss in some poignancy, too.
But it was also 336 pages. God, that's a lot of Miranda July. I kept thinking, oh, it would be so perfect if it ended here, at the end of her fake trip. No? Okay, here, when something major happens at home. No? Okay, here, just here, or even here please, for the love of god, because even though she's bizarre and funny and poignant, I'm exhausted by this peri-menopausal Odyssey she's taken me on. Exhausted by her emotional and erotic journey. I feel like I've been through something, reading this, and I need a deep and long recovery from it.
I also need to stop thinking about the tampon scene, or the one with the elderly woman who sold her the quilt. And all the endless masturbation. Dear god, Miranda July. Really? Yes, she says, in her flat, breathy voice, really. If you don't want to read stuff like that, then you shouldn't have picked this up. That's what you sign up for when you see my name on the cover. So don't complain.
Okay. I won't complain, then.
There were things about this book I loved - I loved that she took a road trip, and then quickly gave up and stayed in a motel and pretended to her husband that she was still driving across the country. That she paid to redecorate her shitty motel room. It was funny, it was bizarre, and - well, her loneliness and secretiveness and trapped-ness was poignant. Her deep need to be free, and completely herself - something you might think should be simple, a given, even, turns out to be something that challenges the structures of society, family and relationship. So that was poignant too.
I just think it could have been more powerful if she took us on a 10km run, rather than a full, freaking marathon.
It's hard to be knocked down when you're on all fours.
But it was also 336 pages. God, that's a lot of Miranda July. I kept thinking, oh, it would be so perfect if it ended here, at the end of her fake trip. No? Okay, here, when something major happens at home. No? Okay, here, just here, or even here please, for the love of god, because even though she's bizarre and funny and poignant, I'm exhausted by this peri-menopausal Odyssey she's taken me on. Exhausted by her emotional and erotic journey. I feel like I've been through something, reading this, and I need a deep and long recovery from it.
I also need to stop thinking about the tampon scene, or the one with the elderly woman who sold her the quilt. And all the endless masturbation. Dear god, Miranda July. Really? Yes, she says, in her flat, breathy voice, really. If you don't want to read stuff like that, then you shouldn't have picked this up. That's what you sign up for when you see my name on the cover. So don't complain.
Okay. I won't complain, then.
There were things about this book I loved - I loved that she took a road trip, and then quickly gave up and stayed in a motel and pretended to her husband that she was still driving across the country. That she paid to redecorate her shitty motel room. It was funny, it was bizarre, and - well, her loneliness and secretiveness and trapped-ness was poignant. Her deep need to be free, and completely herself - something you might think should be simple, a given, even, turns out to be something that challenges the structures of society, family and relationship. So that was poignant too.
I just think it could have been more powerful if she took us on a 10km run, rather than a full, freaking marathon.
It's hard to be knocked down when you're on all fours.
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Reading Progress
June 24, 2024
–
Started Reading
June 25, 2024
– Shelved
June 26, 2024
–
Finished Reading
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Bonnie G.
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Jun 27, 2024 08:28PM

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Bonnie, I first experienced Miranda July on the New Yorker Fiction podcast - David Sedaris read her short story "Roy Spivey", which is brilliant. I feel like I've been chasing that perfect story experience with her ever since.
I also like her film work! I haven't seen Kajillionaire yet, though - note to self.

Lark, I know how much you loved The First Bad Man, and how disappointed you were with this. It's heartbreaking when that happens.


I also love that quote you ended with. Almost makes me want to get buried instead of cremated, just so they can put that on my tombstone! 😂


I think you will love Kajillionaire. I found it lovely and funny and sad. Also, the performances were really good, especially Richard Jenkins.
Thanks for the story rec. Roy Spivey is on tap for me. I just pulled up the New Yorker site and expect it will get read some time today.

That's a really good way to see it.

I also love that quote you ended with. Almost makes me want to get buried instead of cremated, just so they can put that on my tombstone! 😂"
OMG it's a perfect tombstone quote. YES.
I so love it when you pop by one of my reviews, James. Big big hugs, dark twin.

Ah Mark! I'm with you, not a camping gal. It seems like so much work and expense to be uncomfortable. :D
I didn't love this book but I do admire it, because there are so many wise and close-to-the-bone observations here, and from what I understand, this tells the story pretty darn close to her own life, which takes bravery (at least, if it was me, and I bought the quilt from the elderly woman, it would take a LOT of bravery for me to write that down).

Thanks for the story rec. Roy Spivey is on tap for me. I just pulled up the New Yorker site and expect it will get read some time today."
Oh goodie! Will you circle back and let me know what you thought of it? It was the podcast's most popular episode, a while back.
It's decided... I have to find Kajillionaire...
xx

Thanks for the story rec. Roy Spive..."
Thank you Robin, I would not have happened upon that story. It was hilarious and in the end really poignant. I makes me want to retry reading her other work again, perhaps one story at a time rather than a book. My favorite passage (it was hard to choose):
I asked myself if I would kill my parents to save his life, a question I had been posing since I was fifteen. The answer always used to be yes. But in time all those boys had faded away and my parents were still there. I was now less and less willing to kill them for anyone; in fact, I worried for their health. In this case, however, I had to say yes. Yes, I would.


Well, the avoidance of work is my superpower and I really wanted to read the story (and it was very short.) I always get such good recommendations from you!
Now I want to head to Vancouver to watch Kaillionaire with you.. I will bring the popcorn and Red Vines. (I am for real thinking I may need to move to Canada, so I may actually do that .😭🏳�)



Yes, when people used to say at work (Far North Queensland is a campers paradise)..........my reply to them was always. "Why?". I don't understand it either. A bit like your funny comment Robin - we've spent 10,000 years trying to find shelter and make our selves as comfortable as possible (inside), why would we undo all that wonderful work whilst spending a shit load of money and energy??

Now I want to head to Vancouver to watch Kaillionaire with you.. I will bring the popcorn and Red Vines. (I am for real thinking I may need to move to Canada, so I may actually do that .😭🏳�)"
I have the same superpower, Bonnie! :D
I truly hope you never actually need to leave your beloved NYC (and I know why you mentioned it), Bonnie, but Canada sure would be happy to have you xoxo

Understood, Lisa! I think I'm still recovering too, from this one, although there are still far worse places to be, when it comes to books....

OOH! I'm going to hop on over to see what your final assessment was, Javier. I'm so thrilled to hear that you've being loving it.....

Now I want to head to..."
Thanks Robin. I think it is unlikely this election story has a happy ending. I have started to root around in Canada. So far the only promising lead is in a place I don't want to live, but I would come to Vancouver in a heartbeat.


Agreed, Tara! Thanks for summing it up so well.


Ha! That about sums it up :)


That is far odder than being a horny middle-aged broad who sleeps around, or uses a vibrator or has affairs, etc.
