Member Reviews
As immersions in the minds of unbalanced narrators go, this one is pretty persuasive. We sink deep into the not entirely foolhardy but nevertheless skewed thinking of a woman whose heedlessness, rage and divorce from reality leave her isolated in a ‘normal’ world. As a piece of writing, it’s well achieved, unpredictable, and best of all avoids an easy conclusion. Did I enjoy it? Up to a point. Do I think the author is interesting? Yes.
The making of a con-artist. Amy's internal monologue while going through life is increasingly interesting and disturbing. She is seemingly oblivious to how her actions impact those around her. A great reminder to people when living with others.
Nobody, Somebody, Anybody was full of surprises. The main character Amy was unpredictable and got carried away with anything she pursued. She would chase her dreams in a meticulous fashion until she leads herself to self sabotage. Then she would dust herself off and move on towards another objective. The timeline was mainly rooted in Amy’s present situation. Though she would have flashbacks of memories from her childhood and time spent in college. It took me some time to get invested in her story but once things got interesting, I was able to push through to the end. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this title!
In the captivating pages of Kelly McClorey's "Nobody, Somebody, Anybody," readers are transported on an immersive journey through history, unraveling the tapestry of hidden lives that have shaped the world we know today. With meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, McClorey paints a vivid tableau of ordinary individuals who lived extraordinary lives.
Set against the backdrop of a bygone era, "Nobody, Somebody, Anybody" is a testament to the power of personal stories and the resilience of the human spirit. McClorey deftly weaves together a collection of narratives, breathing life into forgotten voices and shedding light on the experiences of those relegated to the margins of history.
Drawing upon extensive historical records, diaries, and personal accounts, McClorey uncovers the nuanced stories of everyday individuals whose contributions often went unnoticed. From the nameless laborers to the unsung heroes, each chapter unveils a captivating tale of triumph, sacrifice, and the enduring pursuit of dreams.
McClorey's prose exudes an authenticity that transports readers to the very heart of each era. With eloquent language and rich descriptions, McClorey skillfully recreates the sights, sounds, and emotions of the past. The historical accuracy and attention to detail lend an immersive quality to the narrative, immersing readers in the ebb and flow of history itself.
"Nobody, Somebody, Anybody" is more than a collection of individual stories; it is a testament to the interconnectedness of humanity. Through the lives of these unsung heroes, McClorey highlights the shared struggles, hopes, and triumphs that transcend time and place. It is a poignant reminder that history is not solely shaped by famous figures, but by the cumulative efforts of countless individuals.
Furthermore, the book prompts readers to reflect upon their own place in history and the power of individual agency. McClorey's masterful storytelling imparts a sense of empowerment, encouraging readers to recognize the significance of their own stories and the potential impact they can have on the world.
With its compelling narratives and meticulous historical research, "Nobody, Somebody, Anybody" stands as a testament to the human capacity for resilience, compassion, and transformative action. Kelly McClorey's eloquent prose and deep understanding of historical contexts make this book a must-read for history enthusiasts, as well as anyone seeking to explore the hidden tapestry of the human experience.
Prepare to be transported through time, where the lives of the forgotten take center stage, and the impact of their stories resonates through the ages. "Nobody, Somebody, Anybody" is a historical treasure that sheds light on the ordinary heroes whose contributions have shaped our collective journey.
This looked looke the sort of story I could enjoy. Sadly, it wasn't. I just couldn't get a connection to the character. I put it down a few times, to mull parts over, but nope, nothing drew me into the story. And the cover and description seemed a perfect fit. I am sure it will find it's audience, but it's not for me.
A story about a girl with no guidance in life. Seems like things just randomly happen. Some things she knows she should allow but somehow finds herself carried away in the moment. Seems like she doesn’t face her troubles but instead runs away from them in hopes of a fresh start somewhere new.
I really wanted to like this one. Just based on the cover alone. But I just struggled. I didn’t find it that funny, and struggled to finish it.
Didn't capture my attention and engagement. Interested in trying it again though and hopefully it will take.
This is a quirky heartfelt novel about a lonely young woman. Amy is working as a chambermaid in a yacht club to pass her time while waiting to re-take her EMT exam at the end of the summer. She lack social skills and self-awareness. Her sorry gets a bit dark and complex before we learn her whole story. Overall I enjoyed this book even though I found it a bit dark and not much humor as advertised.
Working in a hotel, especially a well travelled , well heeled hotel would offer challenges enough, but our heroine Amy offer insight and humor to her day to day life. It is a complex backstory , with amusing interpretations. The language can be hard to follow, but we are in for the haul. A bight voice that I hope will only enrich our reading.
I definitely enjoyed this book. The writing was dark but humorous. I related to Amy’s feelings of failure and the pressure she put on herself to succeed and accomplish her goals. I’m also a rather isolated person, so I understood her loneliness and need for connection. I liked how the friendship between her and her landlord grew and made both of them feel more connected to the world. Overall, I thought that this was a good, solid read, particularly for millennials and those who are searching to find themselves.
Man, was this book funny. The only thing is...that was the only thing I really liked about it? Which I hate saying, because I really wanted to love this book. The humor was enough to carry it for me to call it enjoyable, but I'm not sure I really *liked* it.
This book was so funny and good! I love the sarcasm and story line it was a addictive read that I think a lot of people will love.
This book was partly funny and partly compelling, but it wasn't fully anything. I almost liked the main character; I almost laughed out loud; I almost got lost in the story. It just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Yet another letdown and case of the book description in no way matching the actual story. Laugh out loud funny...dark comedy...? Yeah, no, this is not that book at all. As the story unfolds, it's very clear that Amy had an undiagnosed mental health issue throughout her childhood and experienced a full break as a result of an event taking place while still in college. Throughout this book, I was cringing (no laughing), fully expected her to become a danger to those she was around. None of her decisions make sense and while following an anti-hero can be satisfying, Amy does not experience any arc nor does she really even see a problem with herself, only others with herself cast as a victim. A wholly unsatisfying book start to finish.
A slim, propulsive debut which was super hard to put down, NOBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY is about loneliness, rage, and grief. But, it's also pretty funny and weird. We follow Amy who dreams of becoming an EMT (though she has failed the test two times already) and is working as a maid at a yacht club to pass the time until she can take it again. She is dealing with the grief of losing her mother six years prior, and lives her life in isolation. She soon befriends her landlord, Gary, who is preparing to invite his "mail order bride" to the USA (and asks Amy to taste test the meals he plans to make for her). This unexpected relationship drives the story forward and we learn more about Amy, her backstory, and why she so desperately wants to become an EMT.
It is certainly a modern tale with the strange and off-kilter characters so popular in literary and new fiction nowadays. Amy is quirky but relatable, flawed but also strange in sometimes the wrong ways. We root for her, but she is also a mystery to us. McClorey is a fantastic author and reminds me a lot of Sayaka Murata. It's a fun, quick novel with great narration and an unexpected ending. Will definitely read more from her in the future!
This was a quirky little book that I really enjoyed. This book made me laugh at loud because the observations about life were SPOT ON. I hope many people give this a try.
In the mood for a dark comedy?
In this moving and bizarre story we meet Amy Hanley, an ambitious and troubled young woman. She has recently taken a job as a chambermaid at a posh Massachusetts country club, after failing her EMT exam twice. In preparation to not fail a third time, she administers a self-made “placebo” treatment. This includes things like sending herself a fake congratulations letter and ordering an EMT uniform to wear around her apartment.
Not too weird, sounds like a good idea, right?
However, lying to yourself is one thing, but Amy then pulls others into her lies and builds a complicated web with her landlord, family, and coworkers. This might not be a character you want to meet, but learning about Amy’s fraught relationship with her mother and seedy past with her college roommate will open your eyes to her motivations.
If you are interested in exploring grief and self-forgiveness in a darkly humorous, character-driven literary fiction novel, pick up Nobody, Somebody, Anybody by Kelly McClorey.
Like many other people, I assumed that Nobody, Somebody, Anybody would be akin to My Year of Rest and Relaxation—the covers are similar and they’re both about a millennial woman who is very much not okay.
While My Year of Rest and Relaxation features a depressed millennial woman who just wants to sleep off her woes, Nobody, Somebody, Anybody features a millennial woman whose isolation has made her desperate. The protagonist is quirky and makes decisions I can’t even fathom making. While the book was entertaining, I just couldn’t quite connect with our protagonist. Her decisions were baffling and confusing and I just couldn’t quite get behind her.
However, this was a fun and enjoyable book about a woman in existential crisis, which I will always be drawn to.
It's been an odd few years - as we all learn new ways to no longer be alone in the midst of lock downs, masking and zoom meetings. It's been months of trying to find creatives ways to connect with people. So this story was easy to relate to. Amy is pretty alone. She's waiting to take her exam to become an EMT and working as a housemaid for a summer job.
But she's isolated herself. Slowly you learn about her last few years and also meet her co-workers and neighbors. You learn why her life is so quiet and so lonely - the cracks and gaping spaces in her life. However I think the synopsis said this would be a funny book and instead I just found it sad. I wonder if that's just because of where I am in the midst of the pandemic with my recent move and trying to figure out how to make new friends - Amy broke my heart with all her upbeat odd behaviors, her drive to know others (even if only through their mail) and her few connections and how they pan out. I'm glad I gave this one a try.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.