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The Book of George
The Book of George: A Novel | Kate Greathead
25 posts | 19 read | 5 to read
From the author of the critically acclaimed Laura & Emma comes a The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. for our times: Kate Greathead's razor-sharp but big-hearted excavation of millennial masculinity, The Book of George. If you havent had the misfortune of dating a George, you know someone who has. Hes a young man brimming with potential but incapable of following through; sweet yet noncommittal to his long-suffering girlfriend; distant from but still reliant on his mother; charmingly funny one minute, sullenly brooding the next. Here, Kate Greathead paints one particular, unforgettable George in a series of droll and surprisingly poignant snapshots of his life over two decades. Despite his failings, its hard not to root for George at least a little. Beneath his cynicism is a reservoir of fondness for his girlfriend, Jenny, and her valiant willingness to put up with him. Each demonstration of his flaws is paired with a self-eviscerating comment. No one is more disappointed in him than himself (except maybe Jenny and his mother). As hilarious as it is resonant and as singular as it is universal, The Book of George is a deft, unexpectedly moving portrait of one manbut also countless others.
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review
thecheckoutstack
Mehso-so

In the end I‘m glad I read it but it wasn‘t a home run for me.

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thecheckoutstack
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Ok I probably posted that last blurb about 50 pages too early. I related to and had empathy for George in his late teens early 20s. George in his late 20s early 30s is much harder to stomach 🙄

squirrelbrain He did turn into a bit of a d***, didn‘t he?! 1w
BarbaraBB I get you 😀 1w
21 likes3 comments
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thecheckoutstack
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I gotta say, I read a lot of reviews about how much everyone hated George and I‘m 130 pages in and I have empathy for him. He‘s pretty oblivious and careless of others but it‘s a story and a perspective I haven‘t spent a lot of time with in books and that makes it worth telling. I‘m glad I decided to give the book a chance.

BarbaraBB Yes! I felt that way too. I didn‘t hate him at all. I just wasn‘t that interested in him 😀 1w
squirrelbrain I didn‘t hate him either. I felt sorry for him - he was rather pathetic. 1w
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thecheckoutstack @squirrelbrain I don‘t feel like that yet either, I feel like he‘s privileged and depressed but that‘s not pathetic to me, that‘s just his life. I‘ll let you know where I land at the end of the book! 1w
ImperfectCJ I didn't hate him, and I actually appreciate an author highlighting how irritating this type of personality is and how many chances those around him give him, over and over again. It's almost a call to action for those of us with a tendency to enable behavior like George's on both a small and a large scale. 1w
thecheckoutstack @ImperfectCJ I‘m getting the vibe from everyone‘s comments more of the face palming behavior must happen in the last 2/3 of the book. I‘m excited to see how my feelings about George change. 1w
22 likes6 comments
review
mcctrish
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Pickpick

This follows George through his life, he‘s a likeable child, his uni years are good too. You like George, it‘s a great audio book. Adulthood hits and there is this undercurrent to George, and I am not liking him so much. He isn‘t mean, but he‘s thoughtless. I am raging at my audio book. FFS George, get it together
It‘s well written. I enjoyed it when I wasn‘t raging 😂😂

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mcctrish
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Artsy Cats puzzling

AnnCrystal 👏🏼🧩🐈🆒💝. 3w
53 likes1 comment
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mcctrish
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I started this today - very easy listening

46 likes1 stack add
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fredthemoose
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was well written, but I just don‘t think I can recommend a book that‘s the aimless young adulthood of a self-absorbed, mediocre white dude. What does he want? Who knows? Mostly just to sh*t on the people in his life who care for him and who actually try for and accomplish things. The writing was good, but there are more interesting stories out there. #ToB25

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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

I didn‘t hate this book. At all. It‘s an easy read about an Oblomow kind of guy who fails to make something of his life and just accepts that. That makes him annoying but that‘s what the author aims at I think. At least as annoying are the women who tolerate, facilitate and even justify his behaviour and deeds. A fun read with a deeper message. Just not worth to be shortlisted for the #ToB25.

📷 Groningen, Netherlands

Suet624 That would be a nope for me. 1mo
BarbaraBB @Suet624 you‘re not missing out on much! 1mo
sarahbarnes Thanks for reading this one. 😆 Great review and great photo. I feel like that‘s the theme of the shortlist this year. 1mo
See All 7 Comments
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Right? So many okay-ish books but they don‘t do anything for me personally. I forgot most about them already. 1mo
squirrelbrain Yes, I was just as annoyed by his Mum / girlfriend 🤷‍♀️ 1mo
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain They were both incredible. I couldn‘t relate at all. Even the sister forgave him everything 1mo
CarolynM I‘m glad I didn‘t waste any more time on it. 1mo
73 likes7 comments
review
Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

This was a soft pick. I‘ve known way too many people like George to give it more than 3 stars, but I didn‘t hate the book. Like someone else said I think there were books in the long list that did the details of every day life better. #TOB25

squirrelbrain We thought the same about this book - rather average, a bit like George himself! 2mo
65 likes2 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Oh man. George recommending books he never read. I can see why people say this is funny. But it‘s kind of we have to laugh so we don‘t cry funny, you know? #TOB2025

BarbaraBB I hear such mixed things about this book but will read it myself one of these days 2mo
Bookwormjillk @BarbaraBB I‘m not finding it as torturous as others have, but I‘m only about 30% in. 2mo
66 likes2 comments
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CarolynM
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Bailedbailed

I‘m bailing just past the halfway point because I‘m just not interested and I‘m annoyed by the tone of the writing. I feel like the author thinks it‘s funny and it‘s really not.

squirrelbrain Oh dear! 😬 I seem to be in the minority here. I mean, I didn‘t love it but I didn‘t hate it either! 🤷‍♀️ I didn‘t think it was funny either though. 2mo
Butterfinger Storygraph has tagged it as funny. I did not see the humor. 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures Good (for me) to hear. I read the synopsis and thought I really don't want to read about another useless man. And this one has 2 women holding him up? That doesn't sound fun to me. 2mo
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BarbaraBB Oh no. Still need to read this one. 2mo
marleed Good for you! 2mo
66 likes6 comments
review
squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

I clearly didn‘t hate this as much as many Littens - I gave it a pick after all! I found George to be more pathetic than anything, although he did become particularly insufferable at the time he was clearing out his childhood bedroom.

Where I do agree with everyone is why did we need a book about a boring white guy? And I contrast it with Help Wanted, another #ToB book, that was also about the mundanities of life but SO much more interesting.

Bookwormjillk Good to know 2mo
sarahbarnes I think I‘m skipping this one. 2mo
BarbaraBB I just got my copy of this one. Glad it was a pick for you! 2mo
69 likes3 comments
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Butterfinger
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Panpan

It left me so depressed. At times, I felt like George - aggravating everyone around me, being callous, and just plain hateful. Most of the time, I felt like Jenny - being an enabler because he doesn't know how hurtful he is, or finding the bright spot in a bad situation. I stayed mad the whole time. Mad at George. Mad at me. MAD AT MY HUSBAND. And, now I canceled plans because I am choking with my own depression. Thank goodness for my therapist.

Deblovestoread Your review has cemented my decision to not read this book. 😬 2mo
Susanita Yikes! Hard pass. 😳 2mo
Jas16 I have vacillated about whether or not I wanted to read this one but you have made my decision so much easier. Canceling my library hold. 2mo
47 likes4 comments
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BkClubCare
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Mehso-so

This was a tough one. George was so annoying and so I give credit to the author for capturing it, terrific pacing, always up to the edge. “Oh George, I am worried about you.” “George, you need therapy.” Clueless and yet self-pitying. What a rough ride this was! OMG. I am so glad it is over but afraid I might be thinking of George for a long time. #Jan2025 Book11 #ToB

BarbaraBB Fantastic review. I wasn‘t really planning to read this book but now you make me leaning towards doing so again 2mo
BkClubCare @BarbaraBB - Thank you? You‘re welcome? I read an interesting review/opinion that Greathead has captured the Millennial generation - is it collective or just one messy individual 🧐 2mo
Chelsea.Poole Great review! 2mo
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sarahbarnes Ugh - I haven‘t been interested in reading this one and you‘re not making me feel any differently. 😆 2mo
BkClubCare @sarahbarnes 🤣 No worries! I won‘t mind at all if you end up skipping this. 2mo
BkClubCare @Chelsea.Poole - aw, thx! 2mo
49 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Butterfinger
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I'm hoping the doctor will release me to go back to work this week, but hopefully, I can get a bingo.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Bookwormjillk 🤞 good luck! 2mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Fingers crossed 🤞 2mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo
43 likes3 comments
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BkClubCare
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Isn‘t this just THE cutest pic of my dear departed Esther? My current iPhone‘s screensaver. So, I am 5+ minutes in so far and will listen as I walk Copper or drive to/fro from work. Am just ready to endure this mediocre white boy. #LFG #ToB2025

Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
BkClubCare @Librarybelle - all good, she is a fabulous heart-warming memory and will have a beautiful piece of my heart. A wonderful dog. Now we spoil Copper! 💖 2mo
dabbe She is beyond precious. So is Copper. 🖤🐾🐾🖤 2mo
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Reggie Awwwwwwww adorable!!! 2mo
Ruthiella ❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
CatMS What a sweetie 2mo
43 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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cariashley
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Mehso-so

Another meh #tob25 entry. I‘m glad I listened to this one. This was tough to read so recently after Good Material, which I enjoyed MUCH more. It just didn‘t come together for me, though it had some funny moments.

Chelsea.Poole I felt the same. 2mo
Hooked_on_books I agree about the humor. Otherwise I don‘t think there was much point to this book. 2mo
47 likes2 comments
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Flaneurette
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Oof that mediocre George is a real piece of work! I feel like I know this guy

BarbaraBB Looking forward to meeting him 🙂 3mo
36 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Panpan

I really don‘t know what to say about this one. The writing is good and there‘s some genuinely good humor in it, but for some reason Greathead clearly believed we needed a book about a mediocre white guy skating through life believing far more of himself than he should. We can see that all around us, why do we need to read it? #TOB25

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3mo
squirrelbrain Oh dear 😬 I‘ve requested this from the library (it‘s not out until the end of the month) but I doubt they‘ll get it in. I really don‘t want to have to buy it. 3mo
Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain Don‘t buy it! Unless you enjoy nausea. Just skip it if you have to. Believe me, this is not the one to be a completist about. 3mo
See All 13 Comments
AmyG Thanks for the heads up. 3mo
squirrelbrain Ohhhh, but it hurts not to be a completist. 🤪😬 3mo
cariashley @squirrelbrain ha I feel that! Audio was good for this one - just put it on in the background! 3mo
squirrelbrain Yes, I thought I might do audio @cariashley but it‘s not on Everand (yet) and I may resent using a credit from Audible or Libro.fm. 🤦‍♀️ The struggle is real! 🤪 3mo
cariashley @squirrelbrain completely understand that. Would not recommend wasting a credit, I‘m glad it was available at my library! 3mo
GatheringBooks Lols. Loooove the description! 3mo
DogMomIrene You‘re the 3rd or 4th Litten I‘ve seen who‘s really not liked this book. Thanks for the warning! 2mo
BkClubCare I‘ve just started this and have been a‘feared of such a post. Will sacrifice a credit anyway #sigh 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo
Hooked_on_books @BkClubCare Good luck with it! Maybe you can hate read it. 😂 2mo
BkClubCare @Hooked_on_books - hasn‘t not crossed my mind. 🧠 2mo
60 likes13 comments
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marleed
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Mehso-so

Uhhah, I think this book was well-written - a book of ordinary people living ordinary lives - adult lives that might be better lived had George and Jenny never met. Reading about the drudgery that life can sometimes be left me rather exhausted for the experience. It tried interest with a Super Bowl commercial but that moment but wasn‘t enough for me to pull my thumb up.

Jas16 I keep seeing so-so ratings for this one. I am starting to think I should cancel my library hold. 3mo
marleed @Jas16 it‘s well-written, so if I were in the right mindset I might have liked it more. But currently I‘m not in the right headspace to read the drudgery of life choices. 3mo
73 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

Oof this main character, George, is so unappealing it made the book difficult to read, hence the so-so. Typically I can handle unlikable characters but this is the first book I actually thought about abandoning because I hated a character so much. George is a caricature of the white male millennial who relies on the women in his life to get by. His mother and significant other both can‘t help but love him though he gives so little in return. Eww.

DogMomIrene You‘re not the only person I see not loving this one! I was thinking about it for 2025, but I‘ll be passing. Too many books for the meh. 3mo
BkClubCare I will read it! And sometimes when I know others aren‘t fond, I like to have low expectations and thus the experience is okay. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3mo
79 likes3 comments
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Megabooks
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Mehso-so

I am surprised at the sheer number of contemporary fiction picks on the #toblonglist. I liked the choice to use a female audiobook narrator for this book focused on the life of an everyman as he navigates life from childhood to his 40s. That said, I didn‘t particularly enjoy spending time with George. He was self-centered and self-involved. Pathologically unable to learn from his mistakes. I didn‘t hate it, but I can‘t recommend it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #tob25

BarbaraBB I‘ll remember that! 4mo
Megabooks @BarbaraBB 👍🏻👍🏻 I am truly surprised by all the kind of superficial contemporary picks this year!! 4mo
BarbaraBB Yes me too! Have you read the tagged one? I am reading it now and I think you‘ll love it. 4mo
See All 8 Comments
Megabooks @BarbaraBB no but I bought it! 😁😁 4mo
squirrelbrain Hmmm, doesn‘t sound great. I can‘t remember if I can get this one or not, without going to check my spreadsheet. I‘m currently trapped on the sofa by a very heavy tired dog so I‘m not moving! 🤪 4mo
Suet624 Sounds miserable. 4mo
Megabooks @Suet624 there were times I enjoyed listening to it, but I found the characters‘ actions frustrating. 4mo
Megabooks @squirrelbrain I‘m not sorry I read it, but I didn‘t love it. Worth a read if it makes the shortlist, but maybe pass if you can‘t get it easily. 4mo
60 likes1 stack add8 comments
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ImperfectCJ
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Pickpick

Another down from the #ToB25 longlist. The characters in this novel are realistic and complex, which means they're also maddening. They make stupid choices and jump to conclusions and repeat the same patterns of behavior over and over. But I liked reading this novel. The flow of the story feels right to me, and even my frustration with George and his total self-involvement is satisfying, in a way.

BarbaraBB This is one I hadn‘t heard of but that I want to read now! 4mo
ImperfectCJ @BarbaraBB I don't remember how I heard about this one originally, but I apparently liked the description enough to put it on my TBR. Then its appearance on the longlist got me to read it rather than letting it sit there. I'll be interested in hearing what you think of it! 4mo
Megabooks I just felt so bad for Jenny. She did so much and he gave so little. 4mo
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ImperfectCJ @Megabooks Oh, my gosh, yes. In addition, I can actually relate to Jenny rather more than I'd like to be able to. I'm trying to dig myself out of a similar pattern of behavior in relationships (not to that extreme, but in the same vein). 4mo
Megabooks I can imagine that‘s really frustrating and difficult. I‘m aromantic, so I relate to relationships a bit differently in books. Sometimes it‘s hard for me to wrap my head around them at all. I feel a bit like an anthropologist when I read a book that delves deeply into those dynamics. 4mo
ImperfectCJ @Megabooks I hadn't thought about it being a specifically romantic thing...I think George's mother (and to a lesser extent, his sister) treats him a lot like Jenny does, with the enabling and excuse-making and doing too much for him. I got the impression that family dynamic was the implied reason that he has the relationship expectations he does. 4mo
58 likes6 comments