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Robin's Reviews > All Fours

All Fours by Miranda July
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bookshelves: 2024, american, literary-fiction

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.
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Reading Progress

June 24, 2024 – Started Reading
June 25, 2024 – Shelved
June 26, 2024 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-36 of 36 (36 new)

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message 1: by Bonnie G. (new)

Bonnie G. I just cannot with Miranda July. I like what she does with film, but her writing is just too precious and too conceptual for me even when it makes me laugh. Your review is perfect, that last line is kind of how I always feel about her.


message 2: by Lark (new) - added it

Lark Benobi I fell out of love.


Robin Bonnie G. wrote: "I just cannot with Miranda July. I like what she does with film, but her writing is just too precious and too conceptual for me even when it makes me laugh. Your review is perfect, that last line is kind of how I always feel about her."

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.


Robin Lark wrote: "I fell out of love."

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


message 5: by Lark (new) - added it

Lark Benobi I'm not heartbroken, I'm just reminding myself that books move through time and so do readers, and sometimes they arrive at the same place at the same time, and something magical happens...but it's just that one moment.


message 6: by James (new) - added it

James I do so love the candor and humor in your reviews, Robin! Especially enjoyed how you've hilariously imagined Miranda July responding to your critiques.

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! 😂


message 7: by Mark (new)

Mark  Porton I love the way she tackled her road trip Robin. I could do the same thing with camping, tell friends and family I'm camping (something I detest), stay at The Four Seasons in Sydney and give them intermittent updates, whilst complaining about the lack of internet coverage in the bush. Then they will think I'm an adventurous bloke!!! Yes!!! Great review - I must apologise, I did chuckle at your constant need for this thing to end - hahahaha - it was described wonderfully. Shame this wasn't as good as you hoped my friend 🤗


message 8: by Bonnie G. (new)

Bonnie G. Robin wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "I just cannot with Miranda July. I like what she does with film, but her writing is just too precious and too conceptual for me even when it makes me laugh. Your review is perfect..."

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.


Robin Lark wrote: "I'm not heartbroken, I'm just reminding myself that books move through time and so do readers, and sometimes they arrive at the same place at the same time, and something magical happens...but it's just that one moment."

That's a really good way to see it.


Robin James wrote: "I do so love the candor and humor in your reviews, Robin! Especially enjoyed how you've hilariously imagined Miranda July responding to your critiques.

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.


Robin Mark wrote: "I love the way she tackled her road trip Robin. I could do the same thing with camping, tell friends and family I'm camping (something I detest), stay at The Four Seasons in Sydney and give them intermittent updates, whilst complaining about the lack of internet coverage in the bush. Then they will think I'm an adventurous bloke!!! Yes!!! Great review - I must apologise, I did chuckle at your constant need for this thing to end - hahahaha - it was described wonderfully. Shame this wasn't as good as you hoped my friend 🤗"

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).


Robin Bonnie G. wrote: "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."


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


message 13: by Bonnie G. (new)

Bonnie G. Robin wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "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 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.



Robin Oh my god, Bonnie. I love you, do you know that?? I'm thrilled you got to this so quickly, and I LOVE the passage you quoted. God, it's so good, and so very quintessential Miranda July at her best. Thank you!


message 15: by Bonnie G. (last edited Jun 28, 2024 11:25AM) (new)

Bonnie G. Robin wrote: "Oh my god, Bonnie. I love you, do you know that?? I'm thrilled you got to this so quickly, and I LOVE the passage you quoted. God, it's so good, and so very quintessential Miranda July at her best...."

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 .😭🏳�)


Lisa (NY) Very entertaining review. I probably won’t read this as I’m still recovering from the last book I read by July.


message 17: by Javier (last edited Jun 29, 2024 05:04PM) (new)

Javier Fernandez Fortunately I'm having the opposite experience with my current read, The Bee Sting, Robin. Even though it's over 600 pages long, I'm wishing there were more bees and/or more stings because I'm really loving it and don't want it to end. I only have a few pages to go and I'll be sad when I finish the last one and the book buzzes back to its hive on the shelf.


message 18: by Mark (new)

Mark  Porton Robin wrote: "Mark wrote: "I love the way she tackled her road trip Robin. I could do the same thing with camping, tell friends and family I'm camping (something I detest), stay at The Four Seasons in Sydney and..."

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??


Robin Bonnie G. wrote: "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 .😭🏳�)"


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


Robin Lisa (NY) wrote: "Very entertaining review. I probably won’t read this as I’m still recovering from the last book I read by July."

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....


Robin Javier wrote: "Fortunately I'm having the opposite experience with my current read, The Bee Sting, Robin. Even though it's over 600 pages long, I'm wishing there were more bees and/or more stings because I'm really loving it and don't want it to end. I only have a few pages to go and I'll be sad when I finish the last one and the book buzzes back to its hive on the shelf."

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.....


message 22: by Bonnie G. (new)

Bonnie G. Robin wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "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..."


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.


Nicky Excellent review. You put into words exactly how I felt


Robin Nicky wrote: "Excellent review. You put into words exactly how I felt"

Thanks so much, Nicky!


message 25: by Amy (new) - added it

Amy This review is so perfect. I loved and hated this book.


Robin Amy wrote: "This review is so perfect. I loved and hated this book."

Oh, thank you Amy!


message 27: by Tara (new) - rated it 4 stars

Tara T.  Boyce Same. It was a wild experience that ran on too long in a way that undermined its own energy. But it was hilarious and smart and touched on all the themes you mentioned here in a clever and intriguing way. Her writing craft, too, is outstanding.


Robin Tara wrote: "Same. It was a wild experience that ran on too long in a way that undermined its own energy. But it was hilarious and smart and touched on all the themes you mentioned here in a clever and intriguing way. Her writing craft, too, is outstanding."

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


message 29: by Tony (new)

Tony You have me imagining the chapter headings: A PERI-MENOPAUSAL ODYSSEY; A TAMPON SCENE; ENDLESS MASTURBATION; A SHITTY MOTEL ROOM; A FULL, FREAKING MARATHON; ALL FOURS.


Robin Tony wrote: "You have me imagining the chapter headings: A PERI-MENOPAUSAL ODYSSEY; A TAMPON SCENE; ENDLESS MASTURBATION; A SHITTY MOTEL ROOM; A FULL, FREAKING MARATHON; ALL FOURS."

Ha! That about sums it up :)


message 31: by Lisa (new) - added it

Lisa Yes! Yes, this! I kept trying to describe to friends as I was reading and my opinion changed by the day haha.


message 32: by Charismatic (new)

Charismatic Imagine how rich someone would have to be, to drop $20K -- a fortune to most Americans, the cost of a recent model used car!!!! -- on decorating a hotel room that you are only staying in TEMPORARILY!!!!

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


Madison My opinion changed everyday reading this! And I’m forever scared by the tampon scene in


Isabel Preza Yessss Robyn! Couldn’t agree more. This is a perfect (and hilarious) review


Arthur Goldgaber The hotel remodeling is great and so wacky! My wife and daughter both like "Schits Creek," so I had that type of cheap roadside motel in my mind's eye. They should make a movie of this book.


Carrie Amundson My thoughts EXACTLY.


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