This book is a clever portrait of a cringe-y, underperforming millennial, George. He's not a great guy but he's not terrible either, and he's so recognizable. I have known Georges, and I'm doing my best not to raise one. I always enjoy characters that have layers, and while George is immature, he's also got depths of struggle and hopefulness. I feel like I was supposed to find a way to like George but could not get past his selfishness.

Couldn’t finish this story as it wasn’t for me but from a narration POV it was well done! Wish the story was a bit better.

Interesting premise for the story. Decent prose. Narrator sells the story with the performance. Great production value. Not what I was expecting

Y’all. I can say with complete confidence that I do not like George.

This book follows George as he’s coming of age, with different chapters representing those different ages. He’s uncommitted, moody, distant, foolish, a mama’s boy, knows he’s good looking, among many other lovely things. I think he’s supposed to change throughout the book, but honestly, I’m not seeing it.

The description promises me that it would be hard to not root for George a little. I can confirm this is not entirely true in that I actively rooted against him.

The writing is good, I think. The structure of moving through different periods in George’s life is an interesting way of learning about someone and seeing how they change (or don’t change). I did like that.

Most of the time with “unlikeable” protagonists they have something loveable about them, but our George just didn’t. And that makes a book hard to connect with. I found myself constantly checking to see how much of the book was left to see if I was closer to being done with old George.

I have seen some good reviews for this book, so feel free not to just take my word on this one! 🤓

hank you to Netgalley for the advance listening copy of Kate Greathead's second novel following her terrific debut, "Laura and Emma", which I cherished as a novel that spoke to me.

As someone who is a good deal older than the millennial George, I acknowledge that it was difficult for me to put myself in the mind of a millennial. Each generation has its own general attributes and what it values and as a baby boomer, I was raised to believe that ambition is something to strive for and that work/life balance was not as crucial. From hindsight, I see the flaws in that limited view, but not as someone who had been George's age at one time.

This is a story that I will consider for a while. In truth, I grew up with men who sought ambition and that is a mindset that is hard for me to shake. Now there is so much more equality betewen the sexes, not only in feminist thought, but in real action. It's a good thing. Women can be the leaders and men can be relied on them. Whatever works for a coupler, friend, or family.

As you can tell this is another portrait of a place and time, like her first novel. I did understand the milieu of "Laura and Emma" more easily, but that does not make this book any less significant.

As always, I listened on audio. Blair Baker, a new narrator for me, was perhaps not the ideal choice to portray a male protagonist, although the story if populated with female characters.
She caught the humor in the story, and in general, gave a fine performance.

"The Book of George" by Kate Greathead is a Character Study of Millennial Masculinity!

When I began this immersion read, I thought I'd made a horrible mistake by requesting "The Book of George". Seriously. I even set it aside for two months deciding if I wanted to pick it up again. Eventually, I did and you might say, George began to grow on me.

George is quite a character and you may recognize him. He's good-looking, smart, witty, and has great potential but he's his own worst enemy. He has tons of opportunities but motivation has never found a home in his life. He's happy one minute, sullen the next, snarky, makes snide remarks, pushes those closest to him away and if anyone knows what a mess he is, it's George. And, he's the first one to admit it...

So why did I enjoy the heck out of this story?

I love the satirical side of this characterization. Let's face it, George is not a star but you can't help rooting for him. For some crazy reason, you care about him. He's that relative, friend, or co-worker who does something eye-rolling or off-putting that you explain away by saying, "Oh, that's just George, being George!" Right?!

Do you recognize George now?

The best of my immersion read was the audiobook and the excellent narration of Blair Baker. She hit all the right notes in all the right places and she nailed the voice of George. I think it's also worth mentioning that this is a book about a man named George written and narrated by women. They brought George to life in a way that made him feel familiar to me.

I enjoyed "The Book of George" much more than I thought I would when I began and I know this won't be a book for everyone. After all, George is an acquired taste. For me with its satiric humor and ridiculous George moments, it was just what I needed! 4.25⭐

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co., Macmillan Audio, and Kate Greathead for a DRC and an ALC via NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was an interesting book that described the life of a man named George from childhood to his late 30s. George is ultimately a sympathetic character but can often be thoughtless (sometimes even downright rude). Greathead does a nice job of walking that line.

You have probably known a George at some point in your life. An attractive, intelligent, good-humored guy with a ton of potential…if only he could muster up some motivation and get out of his own way. In The Book of George, Kate Greathead paints an intimate portrait of millennial manhood through a series of vignettes following her eponymous George from childhood into his late thirties. George grows up with every advantage and opportunity but is the very definition of “failure to launch”: He spends years working on a half-formed novel, content to let his mother, and then his girlfriend Jenny, steer the course of his life (and appreciating them not at all for it). George is infuriating, not just to the women in his life (and to the reader), but also to himself. He’s depressed and brooding, faking it through life but not sure he’s ever going to make it – and never quite managing to care enough to do anything about it. It’s hard not to want to punch him, but it’s also hard not to root for him.

I listened to the audiobook read by Blair Baker, and I loved the choice of a female narrator for this woman-written book about a mediocre man. Baker conveys the tone of Greathead’s novel with the perfect amount of cynicism, which really complemented my reading and my understanding of George.

The Book of George is a thoughtful character study, bitingly funny and full of meaningful observations about modern manhood. Greathead has an obvious talent for writing and characterization; whether or not you personally know a George, the characters in this book will feel all too familiar. If you enjoy character-driven narratives that reflect the best and worst parts of the human experience, give The Book of George a try. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary reading opportunity.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I didn't necessarily like George but I was fascinated by George. I feel like this was so relatable. I can see it not being for everyone but I enjoyed reading it. The narrator did great.

I kept pushing myself through this one. Clearly George had to become more likeable …right? Maybe a strong character arc coming? It’s rare that I just can’t stand the main character through out the whole book.
Though narration was good and no complaints from an audio book standpoint.

This is a really well written and, in the audio version well presented book about a guy you might not have minded being around in college. But when at 40 he is still an unformed, directionless guy who cannot figure out that he had a great head start but then he had to become someone, well. It's George. He will never be fully realized because he thought he was born fully realized. He suffers from depression but he doesn't deal with it, instead using it to curry attention.

You might not like George, but the fact that he is deftly drawn, with humor and wicked accuracy will make you feel a little less guilty for judging the Georges you know. They really are that entitled, self-aggrandizing and unaware. Enjoy George! He is not one of a kind.

Unique, palpable, and quirky. Truly fun. The narrator was great. Solid audio book. Highly recommend!

Such a good story. Totally fell in love with George. Grab a cozy blanket and get ready for a great listen.

I loved this book and was enthralled with the writing. I loved the character study. Would read more from the author!

An interesting and thought provoking read, even if I’m not sure I fully agreed with the message.

First, this is a much more dynamic and well-paced book than I expected, and despite it being a fictional monograph of sorts, it is strangely enthralling. Greathead’s writing is lovely and the characters are both substantive and compelling.

The initial impression you get of George is that you like him. He is, in his heart of hearts, a capital G Good Guy. And as you sit wondering what all the angst is about (both his and that of those around him on his behalf), the other shoe drops.

George is nice enough, smart enough, caring enough, but he’s also consistently apathetic and not especially ambitious. It’s enough to drive a driven gal batty, and while I agree with that sentiment, it’s also where the book lost me a bit.

There isn’t enough space in the world for a planet 100% populated by deeply ambitious, incredibly engaged people. And while if that’s important to you, a George is not going to be your person, I’m not sure it’s the cultural poison pill that it’s presented to be here. It didn’t help that Jenny is exactly the Pollyanna she fears she is, which makes George, flaws and all, a more likable character.

To that end, the author isn’t disputing that George is a nice guy or that he’s likable. She’s arguing that his apathy and unrealized potential is a problem, and one that frequently shows up in men.

I’m not disagreeing with that, though again I would counter that there is a place in the world for a Joe Average, or a George Average if you will, and just because many women (myself included) would ultimately declare his not enoughness to be simply not enough, it’s not necessarily appropriate as a universal condemnation, and it’s hard to make the argument when his female partner is the one who would actually make me run screaming.

The Book of George
by Kate Greathead
narrated by Blair Baker

thank you so much macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook #macaudio2024

About the book 👇🏽

We all know a George. He's the kind of guy who's brimming with potential but incapable of following through; he doesn't know if he's in love with his girlfriend, but he certainly likes having her around; he's distant from - but still reliant on - his mother; he swears he'll finish his novel one day.
Sure, you might find him disappointing. But no one is more disappointed in George than George himself.
As funny as it is astute and as singular as it is universal, The Book of George is a deft, unexpectedly moving never-coming-of-age tale and a portrait of one man, but also countless others.

✨ My thoughts:

I will keep this short because… it wasn’t my favorite. I almost DNFd because I did not like the main character, I found myself getting annoyed. I really wanted to love this book but I just didn’t. The narration was fine and I’d listen to more audiobooks by this narrator. I am sure there is an audience for this story but sadly it was a miss for me.

happy reading

The Book of George by Kate Greathead is a poignant and witty novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and personal identity. The story revolves around George, a charming and quirky character whose life takes unexpected turns, leading him to confront the challenges of adulthood and the relationships that shape him. Blair Baker's narration brings the characters to life with a warm and engaging voice, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. Greathead's writing is both humorous and heartfelt, making it easy to connect with George's journey. This novel is a delightful exploration of love, loss, and the search for one's place in the world, making it a compelling listen for anyone seeking a thoughtful and entertaining story!

Every millennial girl knows a George. Unfortunately, some of us know several Georges. This was a hilarious take on men who can’t ever seem to get it together, even with every advantage and privilege in life at their disposal. The ones who still are bailed out by their parents at every stumble, manage to mooch off their girlfriends, have no consideration of others, and never take accountability.
Ugh, I hated him. This book is great for some cathartic humor and the age of the characters is mine, so I can relate to many of the current events that happen as well as the stage in life you are in at that moment.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt publishing for my advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

oved this novel exploring a man who expected more from life who never quite matured. I appreciated the perspective reminiscent of Alderton’s Good Material. It also had some laugh out loud moments. It definitely requires being OK with exploring the psyche and the stunted emotional growth of a mediocre white man, but I definitely is what made it unique. I really liked Blair Baker's narration of this one, the tone they had for this was perfect. The story was also easy to follow on audio.

This is a unique character driven story. I love a good character study and this one is well done. We meet George as a child and follow him through middle age. We’ve all known a George and I’m pretty sure I raised a George. George is a generally decent guy who just can’t quite get his life together. I found his impulsiveness when angry and his treatment of Jenny so frustrating. However, as a mom of a George, there were times I wanted to hug him and help him fix a mess he’d gotten himself into. The story is well written and there is humor to balance out the more serious aspects. Blair Baker narrates the audiobook beautifully.