Title: Bream Gives Me Hiccups
Author: Jesse Eisenberg
First published September 8, 2015
273 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780802124043 (ISBN10: 0802124046)
Rating: 3.51
Overview
Jesse Eisenberg has done it again with his hilarious and thought-provoking collection of short stories, Bream Gives Me Hiccups: And Other Stories. From the dorm rooms of college to the streets of Los Angeles, Eisenberg’s characters are social misfits who find themselves in ridiculous situations.
In one story, a young man’s email exchange with his girlfriend is hijacked by his sister’s obsession with the Bosnian genocide. In another, a college freshman is shocked when her ramen packet goes missing from her dorm room.
Eisenberg even takes us back in time, imagining Alexander Graham Bell’s teething problems with his invention. These stories, illustrated by award-winning cartoonist Jean Jullien, are united by Eisenberg’s clever wit and his ability to create relatable and entertaining characters.
Bream Gives Me Hiccups is a must-read for anyone looking for a good laugh and a fresh voice in literature.
About the Author
Jesse Adam Eisenberg is a multi-talented American performer known for his acting, writing, and humor. You might recognize him from his standout roles in movies like The Squid and the Whale, Adventureland, Zombieland, and The Social Network.
Eisenberg originally hails from New York City but grew up in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. Following high school, he continued his studies at The New School in Greenwich Village, where he focused on anthropology with an emphasis on Democracy and Cultural Pluralism.
Editoral Review
Bream Gives Me Hiccups by Jesse Eisenberg is a collection of short stories that explores the absurdities of modern life with wit and humor. The author, widely known for his work as an actor in Hollywood, proves to be a talented writer with a distinctive voice.
The stories in Bream Gives Me Hiccups are written in a variety of formats, including restaurant reviews, emails, and diary entries. Eisenberg’s style is reminiscent of the works of David Sedaris and Woody Allen, blending humor and satire to expose the absurdities and contradictions of contemporary society.
The book’s main character is a nine-year-old boy named Leonard, who writes restaurant reviews for his mother’s blog. Through his reviews, Leonard reveals the quirks and flaws of the adults around him, including his parents, teachers, and therapists.
The stories are set in New York City and Los Angeles, providing a vivid backdrop for the absurdities of modern life.
Eisenberg’s writing is sharp and incisive, with a keen eye for detail and a gift for dialogue. His characters are well-drawn, with each story presenting a unique and memorable cast of personalities.
The themes of the stories are wide-ranging, including family dynamics, relationships, mental health, and celebrity culture.
One of the strengths of Bream Gives Me Hiccups is its ability to balance humor with poignant observations about the human condition. The stories are often laugh-out-loud funny, but they also reveal a deep sense of empathy for the characters and their struggles.
However, the book’s format can be a limitation at times. Some of the stories feel too brief, leaving the reader wanting more.
Additionally, the reliance on unconventional formats can be distracting, and some readers may find it difficult to engage with the material.
Overall, Bream Gives Me Hiccups is a delightful and insightful collection of stories that showcases Eisenberg’s talents as a writer. Fans of David Sedaris and Woody Allen will find much to enjoy here, as will anyone who appreciates sharp writing and incisive social commentary.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
