Sleeping with Random Beasts

By Karin Goodwin

Book Overview

Bargain Books are non-returnable. In this hilarious and touching gem of a first novel (discovered in a towering heap of unsolicited manuscripts -- yes, it happens ), Bean, otherwise known as twenty-nine-year-old Eleanor May Shank, is leaving Boston. A train trip across America stretches in front of her. Panting at her heels are too many years at a boring bank, three long years with a beer-swilling boyfriend, two years under able analysis, and an unfulfilled yearning to become a photographer. Traveling with a flask of whiskey and her camera, Bean visits old friends and family in one city after another -- Richmond, Chicago, Kansas City, Tucson, San Francisco, Portland -- facing her crazy past armed with a vicious wit and a penchant for one-nightstands. While trying to justify her aimlessness to her ex-Marine dad, loose and boozy divorced mom, and old friends who aren't what they used to be, she hurtles toward her own surprising fate. Laced with wry observations, this unrestrained, raucous debut is sharply insightful and impossible to put down.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811819892
• ISBN13: 9780811819893
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (CA)
• Length: 237 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Great

Elenor May a.k.a Bean, is a great charcter. I'm still dying to know what happens to Bean, I think Karin is a great writer. Everything was just right for this book. The setting, the wording, and the characters. I would suggest this book to everyone, buy it for your friends.

It's a Must Read!

This book was great, it gives an inside look at the reality of being a twenty-something. When Bean loses direction she struggles with family, friends, old memories and skeleton's in the closet in order to find her way back. I love this book because it doesn't spell out the outcome the way many books do, it gives it out in a very unique manner.

Could not put this one down

A well written, light and easy read with characters that are interesting and likeable. Bean's struggle with weight, relationships, and career all hit the mark. Really loved the book and am looking foward to Ms. Goodwin's next novel. If you liked this book, I highly recommend Jennifer Egan's Invisible Circus.

Funny and down to earth

Karin Goodwin manages to get to the heart of alot of 20somethings. Myself includes. This book makes you wish you had the guts to get up and go and tell people off in the process. This book is heartwarming and charming and fills you pride in Bean, the main character, who after all of the stuff in life, finally finds out that life isn't so bad.

Couldn't Put it Down!

I started reading this book on a Friday night, and didn't stop until early Saturday morning when I finally finished it. The characters, especially Bean, are so real and funny that I missed them when I finished the book. Anyone who is in their mid-twenties to early thirties (and has felt "like an alien who has been dropped onto Earth and can't learn the customs") should read this book.