Spoonbenders
Ratings30
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings30
Average rating3.7
A NEBULA AWARD FINALIST ONE OF NPR'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR "Hilarious, heartfelt and brimming with humanity.” —Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of The Nest Teddy Telemachus is a charming con man with a gift for sleight of hand and some shady underground associates. In need of cash, he tricks his way into a classified government study about telekinesis and its possible role in intelligence gathering. There he meets Maureen McKinnon, and it’s not just her piercing blue eyes that leave Teddy forever charmed, but her mind—Maureen is a genuine psychic of immense and mysterious power. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry, have three gifted children, and become the Amazing Telemachus Family, performing astounding feats across the country. Irene is a human lie detector. Frankie can move objects with his mind. And Buddy, the youngest, can see the future. Then one night tragedy leaves the family shattered. Decades later, the Telemachuses are not so amazing. Irene is a single mom whose ear for truth makes it hard to hold down a job, much less hold together a relationship. Frankie’s in serious debt to his dad’s old mob associates. Buddy has completely withdrawn into himself and inexplicably begun digging a hole in the backyard. To make matters worse, the CIA has come knocking, looking to see if there’s any magic left in the Telemachus clan. And there is: Irene’s son Matty has just had his first out-of-body experience. But he hasn’t told anyone, even though his newfound talent might just be what his family needs to save themselves—if it doesn’t tear them apart in the process. Harnessing the imaginative powers that have made him a master storyteller, Daryl Gregory delivers a stunning, laugh-out-loud new novel about a family of gifted dreamers and the invisible forces that bind us all.
Reviews with the most likes.
DNF at about 70%.
This book feels absolutely pointless. The characters we should feel for are annoying, the rest are plain dicks. A bunch of things happen, but nothing feels like it has a meaning. It's quirky for the sake of quirky, nothing leads anywhere, we just have stupid side story after stupid side story. Don't get me wrong, I like stories that have layers, but not when it all just gets tossed in. Spies and Russians and mob and robbing the mob and seeing the future, but also like kids being fucking weird, but internet dating and like saving the wife of a criminal's son who is fucking over his dad but nobody knows shit , TV shows, super powers, but also cons aaand MLM crap.
Everyone is an annoying fuck. Now I know why nobody really talked about the ACTUAL plot, just used big words that mean nothing to describe it. Do not recommend.
This is a spoiler-free review
Read on In The Sheets
Right out of the gate, let me say that this book was a blast. I'd walked past it on several different trips to chapters and the cover / title really caught my eye. I finally picked it up and could not have been more pleased.
Spoonbenders is a super fun story about a family with special powers. They were The Partridge Family but with talents that didn't make you want to nap, until they have a bad experience on live TV (with a character who is essentially The Amazing Randi whom I adore)>/i> and their showbiz career instantly dies. Fast forward a couple dozen years to the 90's (the nostalgia is real). The Mom has passed away, the Dad is an old fraud, the kids are leading mundane complicated lives, the grandkids are now in the mix, and the government would really like to speak with them.Each chapter switches back and forth between family members and perspectives. It's expertly done. Buddy's abilities make his PoV delightful. It also has just the right amount of references to the decade to set the tone and make it feel right without shoving references and nostalgia down your throat like it's bragging about the 90's instead of telling a story (Which happens a lot in other books).Unexpectedly, and not at all related to story, I think Spoonbenders has also made me wanna paint my living room that shade of blue? So thanks for that.The Telemachus family is awesome and quirky and Daryl's writing is on point. He's hilarious and the characters are all unique and expertly developed. I have zero complaints. What a treat, honestly.
