A Fan's Notes
A Fan's Notes
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988
Book Brief
Beta385
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1950s-1960s
1988
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Fan's Notes by Frederick Exley is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores a person's struggle with mental health, alcoholism, and the search for identity. The narrative interweaves personal experiences with an obsession for football and a famous player, offering insights into the individual's turbulent life and the yearning for recognition and purpose.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Gritty
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
4,820 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Frederick Exley's A Fan's Notes is lauded for its raw, candid portrayal of identity and obsession, blending autobiography with fiction. Critics praise its dark humor and unique narrative voice, yet some find the protagonist's self-destructiveness challenging. Its introspective nature resonates deeply with readers, offering a poignant, if occasionally unsettling, exploration of human flaws.
Who Should Read A Fan's Notes?
A reader who enjoys A Fan's Notes by Frederick Exley likely appreciates semi-autobiographical narratives with themes of obsession, failure, and existential angst. Fans of Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and On the Road by Jack Kerouac may find similar appeal in its raw, introspective prose and exploration of the American psyche.
4,820 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
385
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1950s-1960s
1988
Adult
18+ years
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