Book Review: Men Women & Children by Chad Kultgen

Men Women & Children

Author: Chad Kultgen

Publisher: Harper Perrenial

Paperback: 320 pages 

Published: June 21, 2011

Amazon Summary: 

Chad Kultgen, cult hero and author of the buzz-generating illicit classics The Average American Male and The Lie, cuts to the quick of the American psyche like no other author writing today. In Men, Women & Children he explores the sexual pressures at work on a handful of troubled, conflicted junior-high students and their equally dysfunctional parents. From porn-surfing fathers to World of Warcraft-obsessed sons, from competitive cheerleaders to their dissatisfied, misguided mothers, Kultgen clicks open the emotionally treacherous culture in which we live—in his most ambitious and surprising book yet.

My thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of Chad Kultgen's novels. I happened across "The Lie" (Chad Kultgen's 2nd book) a year or two ago and devoured it. As soon as I finished "The Lie", I immediately picked up "The Average American Male"(his first book), which I finished in a day. I bought Men, Women and Children on the day it released, I was so excited to read it.

I was slightly disappointed. In his other two novels I really felt like we were building up to something. This novel had no real clear ending. Nothing really HAPPENED throughout the book. It seemed to be nothing more than a glimpse into a wide group of people's personal lives. If you really sit down and think about it the subject matter in this book is kind of heavy. It explores the internet generation's extreme access to sex and how it affects young teens. It also explores sex (or the lack of) between married couples.

The characters were very interesting. However, a few of them seemed very similar to each other. It was hard for me to differentiate between some of them. One of my favorite parts of the book was how he gave both viewpoints between two junior high kids that liked each other, but were both too self-conscious and insecure to act on their feelings. It definitely reminded me of the misgivings I had when I was in junior-high. "Does he like me? Should I talk to him?" etc...

Though I did have a problem with the plot, his writing is (as always) superb. This book is mainly based around sex. It's graphic, crude and crass.  If you're easily offended I would definitely recommend staying away from this book. It's not erotica or anything like that, but the main topic is sex. His books are more MAN-ish books (like I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell, but more....?literary?).

The Lie is still my favorite of Chad Kultgen's novels, but I'll be eagerly awaiting his next novel and will probably buy it on the release date. His voice and writing style are very unique, so I really hope he releases another novel next year. I'll be waiting til I can get my next Chad Kultgen fix!

Judge a Book By It's Cover:

 I really like his covers. Even though his books aren't a series, all the covers match! Although the covers don't seem to reveal much, they intrigue me since they are so plain.

4 Stars!

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*Disclosure: I purchased this book (courtesy of my husband). Thanks honey!


Other Books by Chad Kultgen: