Readers Club Responses

Based on 3 responses

What are your overall thoughts about the book/story? 4.34      (5 – Perfect    3 – Average    1 – Horrible)

Would you recommend it to someone else to read? 4.67      (5 – Without A Doubt     3 – Might     1 – Not at All)

Was the story believable? 4.67     (5 –Very     3 - Average     1 – Not at All)

Comments:

Steven was so complicated and had such an unhappy existence and yet sought the help he needed and pursued happiness, even though he was terrified at what could come from it. Impressive comes to mind to explain my feelings for this book.  L. Telford

Anger, sex, black coffee (no pollutants), booze, redemption...and that's just the first 150 pages.  Memoirs of a Violent Sleeper is the brilliant debut book from matt Micheli that's equal parts love story and confessional, with a touch of remorse.  D. Sifuentes

This is an interesting and detailed view into an unusual mind; the complexities in his life are things we take for granted, including sleeping, bodily functions and love.  I felt fully immersed in a different and colorful world, made more realistic by a lack of objective viewpoint. - A. Anisimova

Other Comments from Readers:

The first thing I had to do when I read the title to this book was look up what a Violent Sleeper goes through. It was very heart breaking. When I read this story of Steven I was able to relate to him in so many ways. I had no idea a book could bring me to tears, laugh out loud & scratch my head. So many emotions over came me every turn of the page. I finished this book within 48 hours & loved it. There are a lot of things I feel that each and every person could relate to. Love is an amazing thing & it can do so much. I feel that anyone coming into this reading with an open mind & heart will enjoy it very much. Two words come to mind....Great Book!  M. Smyle

The story is solid and despite its fictional basis, the characters are real.  Particular character antics and personality types were successfully carried out and conveyed throughout the book, which can be a difficult feat.  Consistent character antics like “……comes to mind”.  I even found myself integrating that one into my everyday verbiage. 

The main character evokes a sympathetic sentiment from the reader at first, with stories of his struggle with a sleep disorder and the subsequent friction that caused in his family.  And of course I was rooting for him to get the girl, ... is something I can relate to and that endeared her character to me.  However, I did feel that her character lacked depth, which is the opposite of what her character is.  I think, based on her... she needs to be represented with more heart (more emotional) or more head (head-case)....There was some mention of her fear of...but that’s only a brief mentioning.

Steven’s character is good. Well developed and I felt, as the reader, that I was on his side, even when he was puking with hookers in the other room.  I still liked the guy.  Even at the end when he... I still like the guy, so I think Micheli did a good job making Steven a real person for the reader to connect with.

The flow of the book was a bit choppy at times.  I understand the jumps from the present to past memories but I think it needed to be a bit more defined. Perhaps through font or italics, just to indicate time changes to the reader.  There were a few but not many typos and grammatical errors.  Some sentence structure issues too, that if corrected would make for a more fluid read, although, as in narrative form, we ourselves do not always speak grammatically correct.

I appreciated the filth, much as I appreciated the filth in a Palahniuk novel.  There is a certain rawness to it that I even think Micheli could have taken even further.  The humor was well placed and I loved how the ‘wiener grabber’ theme came full circle ...  I also really liked the symbolism of his ...dream,...gave me a better sense of why his relationship with his father was so awkward.  

All in all, I believe a “Well Done” is in order as I think Memoirs of a Violent Sleeper is a great debut by a very talented young story teller. - S. Miller

I will admit at first I was taken aback by the vulgarity, and admittedly, I am not one to be offended. Just keep reading. Trust me. This book kept me engaged and wanting more. It was a very easy read and very descriptive. (sometimes explicitly) Every character involved has a story to tell, and no one is perfect. I absolutely adored Gina’s character and how her character became deeper as the book unfolds. If you enjoy quirky offbeat love stories such as Garden State, then this read will be perfect for you. As the book stays true to its synopsis, it will take you on a journey through the darker side of love. Be your own judge on this book, but I say “What a great read and an excellent debut - J. Famish