Max has just inadvertantly exposed himself during a children's toys segment and is left looking for a new career. Bebe is a compulsive shopper and the network's highest-rated star who is dating a man who seems far too good to be true and Leigh is dating a man is who is definitely not good- Howard Toast, the head of programming for Sellevision. In a fashion that reminds one of no one so much as Douglas Coupland, Burroughs builds the hilarity by slow degrees until the last thirty pages when everything comes together in a gut buster of a belly laugh.
In fact, I don't think I've ever laughed harder at the last sentence of a book before; it was like the cherry on top of the proverbial sundae. Still amusing a decade after publication, Sellevision seems like a moment frozen in time. A moment where Augusten Burroughs stood atop a precipice and had to decide whether to keep up the arduous work of actually creating fictional characters or whether he should pillage his semi-interesting adolescence for uncomfortable anecdotes about psychologists finding signs in his morning bowel movements. Oh, what might have been! Aug 04, Benjamin Siess rated it really liked it.
I liked this book quite a bit, but it had two pretty big problems.
Sellevision Summary & Study Guide
There are too many characters for so small a book. It was only towards about page that I figured out that Trish and Leigh were two different people. I had somehow combined them into one super character in my head until that point. I'm sure that this specific problem didn't occur for many, but it is just an example of how confusing it can be to introduce six main characters within a span of 50 pages. The big characters were I liked this book quite a bit, but it had two pretty big problems. The big characters were Max and Peggy Jean. He should've either stuck with them or made this a page book.
It took awhile for the action to start. I felt that there were too many references to the Selevision inventory and inner workings. I understand that he was trying to be detailed and draw us into the "world of home shopping", but instead it just made the pace drag. Once he cut the rate of the references down about a quarter of the way through the book, it was a lot more enjoyable. The meat of the story was the characters and once he focused more on them, it got really good. This book was extremely funny. I found it to have more frequent laughs than his non fiction stuff.
I gave it four stars because I wouldn't have a problem with reading it again. I hope Burroughs gives fiction another try. This book is exactly as shallow as the people in it. The story revolves around Sellevision, a home shopping network like QVC, and the people who work there, or, in the case of Max, no longer work there. It's a trashy, unengaging read, and the POV is staggeringly inconsistent.
The opening lines give you a pretty good idea about how the rest of the novel works: What am I supposed to do? Several times I found mys This book is exactly as shallow as the people in it. Several times I found myself thinking, No, he wouldn't. And then, yes, he did.
Sellevision Summary & Study Guide
Every plot twist is visible from a mile off. I think I'll stick with Burroughs' non-fiction after this. Jul 19, Rebecca McNutt rated it it was ok. I liked the story, but the crass language and the author's self-insertion into the main character got on my nerves. Nov 05, Teela rated it it was amazing. Augusten Burroughs never fails to impress me. This is the first piece of fiction I've read by Mr. Burroughs but I can see where he blends some of his own existence in with this world he's created in fiction.
The good Christian church-going woman who finds in outlet in Valium and alcohol; her husband who is sleeping with the underage neighbor; the 40 something year old woman that looks to the internet to find true love; the trust fund baby who has never had Augusten Burroughs never fails to impress me. The good Christian church-going woman who finds in outlet in Valium and alcohol; her husband who is sleeping with the underage neighbor; the 40 something year old woman that looks to the internet to find true love; the trust fund baby who has never had to work for anything in her life; the employee that is sleeping with her boss that promises to leave his wife for her; and the man that is not planning on actually leaving his wife.
It's the American story told through the comedic eyes and wit of Burroughs making all of these unfortunate situations somehow hysterical. Or maybe they just made me laugh and I have a weird sense of humor? Be that as it may, Burroughs had me so enveloped in each of his characters that I had to find out what happened and literally did not put it down til I was finished.
I barely made it through Running with Scissors years ago, but wanted to give Burroughs another chance to redeem himself. Alas, he failed yet again. I do not understand why everyone loves his books and thinks they are so wonderful--what am I missing? This story was mildly amusing at some parts and even though I know it was supposed to be a farce, a mockery of the industry in which he writes about, it still felt like he was trying too hard. Different title, different book cover, same crappy disast I barely made it through Running with Scissors years ago, but wanted to give Burroughs another chance to redeem himself.
Different title, different book cover, same crappy disaster. Augusten Burroughs is one funny guy. Feb 25, Pat F. Here's the ins and outs of a home shopping network cast of characters, as told via the warped perspective of the man who gave us Running with Scissors. Things are humming along nicely for everyone at Sellevision when one fine day, one of the senior hosts accidentally exposes himself during a live segment aimed at children and their parents.
Turns out to be the beginning of a major downward spiral for the network. Shortly after, another host finds herself the target of a stalker and becomes progre Here's the ins and outs of a home shopping network cast of characters, as told via the warped perspective of the man who gave us Running with Scissors. Shortly after, another host finds herself the target of a stalker and becomes progressively and hilariously unhinged. Those are the book's strengths. The main weakness is that it leans a little too hard on the train-wrecky side of absurdity in places--there's a definite sense of "what more can I pile on here?
But it's still fun. Aug 17, Megan rated it liked it. I respect and thoroughly enjoy Burroughs yet this book screams first novel and it is. The characters are over the top and outrageous, just as I would hope Burroughs would write them yet there is a brilliant comedic heart missing in this fiction. His memoirs are weighty and sincere in their bitter humor. He is genuine and rich in his other work. There is no question that Augusten is a tremendous writer- I simply find that when writing from the heart, he is something more than from the imagination I respect and thoroughly enjoy Burroughs yet this book screams first novel and it is.
There is no question that Augusten is a tremendous writer- I simply find that when writing from the heart, he is something more than from the imagination. Jul 27, David rated it did not like it Shelves: It is a disjointed conglomeration of narratives of vapid shopping network hosts absurd lives. I've read 'Kindle First' books that were better than this, and that is not a compliment.
Mar 02, Amanda rated it did not like it Shelves: I loved the first half of the book, it was a fun story about the hosts of a shopping channel called Sellevision. The second half turned into a horrible mess of adultery, statutory rape, and many other things that are not my cup of tea.
Disappointing to rate this a 1 star but the last half of the book warranted it. Apr 19, Gila rated it it was ok Shelves: I find Augusten Burroughs's writing style very entertaining, and while I adore his books, this one was just meh for me. May 10, Matt rated it really liked it Shelves: In an era when all your shopping can be done from your couch comes the premiere retail shopping network, complete with its collection of on-air personalities. Each host has their own personal story and collection of foibles, some of which Burroughs develops into vignettes, amusing the reader as he spins tribulations out of the most vapid situations.
From the host whose live crotch cameo cost him his job to the woman who thought she could secure a position at Sellevision b Welcome to Sellevision! From the host whose live crotch cameo cost him his job to the woman who thought she could secure a position at Sellevision by sleeping with the boss, there is nothing that Burroughs considers out of bounds, allowing these hosts to stumble along and find their own ways.
With any celebrity comes a collection of fans who become obsessed, some to the point of writing and pointing out minute flaws that might best be addressed before the next on-air appearance, which can only push some to the brink of insanity, as is depicted by another host, though she can barely see the forest for the trees. Burroughs seeks to personify those who make their living in front of the camera, even if the depths of their celebrity comes from speaking about the latest earrings or bangles.
In this poignant poke at the faux-drama and importance of on-air shopping, Burroughs delivers something to cut the tension out of any busy day. Having recently discovered Augusten Burroughs, I was drawn first to his memoir trilogy, which opened my eyes to the pains and struggles the author faced. However, in the third volume, there is much mention of this book, his first experiment into the world of published writing.
The attentive reader who has also tackled the memoirs will see parallels from Burroughs' life in this story, with some of the same humour he offered in that personal writing. There is no doubt that Burroughs thumbs his nose and mocks on-air shopping, but it is equally apparent that he wants to tell a story of a collection of people who must face their own issues and process things in their own manner. With wonderful characters and zany humour, Burroughs offers the reader a break from the heavier reading out there or the NYT acclaimed novels while adding his own flavour to the lighter side of life.
Burroughs for this look into the life of those whose greatest worry is pancake foundation and missed director cues. An ever-growing collection of others appears at: I've been "reading" an awful lot of audio books I wouldn't have bothered to pick up, otherwise. It's a good way to spend all the driving time I have through work, for the most part.
But sometimes, I have a book that's so puzzling I don't even know what to rate it. I loved the satire in this book. I loved that it poked fun at consumerist culture, shallow Christianity, hypocrisy, and sensationalism. I liked the main character, Max, even though he didn't have much more personality than the other Sel I've been "reading" an awful lot of audio books I wouldn't have bothered to pick up, otherwise. I liked the main character, Max, even though he didn't have much more personality than the other Sellevision hosts I wanted bad things to happen to.
He, at least, didn't bring his troubles on himself. I liked that, in the end, almost everyone got what he or she deserved. I didn't like how shallowly everyone was portrayed. I suppose in a satire novel, you need that surface-only reading, and characters who stand for aspects of the culture rather than fully-realized human beings. They were all shallow, self-absorbed, self-destructive people, even Max, who I kind of liked.
I didn't like how dated the book felt; it was published in , and its constant peppering of culture and technology tidbits made it sound like thirtysomething parents pining for the good old days. I didn't like the romance plotline of the book, either; it was too cute, and I kept waiting for one or the other of them to realize they wouldn't last. All the cutesy romancing just made my heart sink, as I considered whether this was the straw that broke the potential mate's back. When the obstacle does arrive, it seems like it was just plunked in there, to justify that subplot. I especially didn't like that the most explicit sex scenes in the book are between a man in his forties and a fifteen-year-old girl.
That actually made my gorge rise, a couple of times. That entire relationship gave me the creeps, and the fact that it's still intact at the end of the book bothers me. I think, overall, that listening to this book wasn't a total waste of time. But I also think I won't remember having read it in a couple of years, and I'll read this review like a soap opera character suffering from amnesia - "I don't remember doing this at all!
Jul 17, Writer's Relief rated it really liked it. In the mood for something darkly funny and deliciously nasty? It only gets crazier from there. Burroughs peppers his biting novel with outrageo In the mood for something darkly funny and deliciously nasty? Burroughs peppers his biting novel with outrageous characters--the good Christian housewife who develops a substance abuse problem; the overly-ambitious, cutthroat starlet who will do anything to reach the top--but the acidic wit never gets washed out by over-the-top soapiness.
This is a light read packed with twisted humor aimed to puncture the glossy-surface of the home-shopping industry. Burroughs uses razor-sharp prose to peel the layers back on a business that sells perfection. The jokes go down easy, but the laughs get caught in your throat. A wickedly fun read! Aug 29, Alex rated it it was ok. I want to make it known that I really do Augusten Burroughs a whole bunch. Maybe I'm just becoming too much of a literary fiction snob, but this book was so simple that I could never rally behind it. The basic idea is interesting enough, following the action of the hosts of a home shopping network, but the execution of that idea was incredibly muddled.
There weren't really even any characters - just these one-dimensional character kernels in a ske I want to make it known that I really do Augusten Burroughs a whole bunch.
There weren't really even any characters - just these one-dimensional character kernels in a sketch comedy show. There was a lot of potential, but Burroughs never bothered to dig deep. The ending also really bugged me - felt like all the characters ended up with a punch line rather than resolution.
What I thought was interesting was how you could tell how Burroughs often drank from his well in writing this. The most fleshed out portions of the book were dealing with advertising and with addiction, the two things he knows the most about. Feb 03, Laura rated it did not like it Shelves: Which is a rarity for me. Sellevision was supposed to be a witty commentary on our consumerist culture, but for me, it was just too surface-level.
Feb 12, Janelle rated it liked it Shelves: Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs is a behind the scenes look into the lives of the quirky hosts at Sellevision, the premier home shopping network. If only QVC was more like this book. Sellevision is a fun book, though near Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs is a behind the scenes look into the lives of the quirky hosts at Sellevision, the premier home shopping network.
Sellevision is a fun book, though near the end the plot seems to have run out of steam.
Sellevision
Much like the thrill one might get from buying a cheap bauble peddled on TV that fades once the box is opened, the initial thrill of this book fades soon after reading. Oct 01, Kate Schultz rated it it was amazing. Super funny look at home shopping networks and the people who work for them. I was expecting a series of essay from this book, as I had been used to from Burroughs' other books.
I was pleasantly surprised that it was a fiction novel. Burroughs followed five or six characters that all work for Sellevision, the nation's top home shopping network. The book is fun and funny--I read it rather quickly because the characters are so vivid--they border on stereotypical, but then the do something that mak Super funny look at home shopping networks and the people who work for them. The book is fun and funny--I read it rather quickly because the characters are so vivid--they border on stereotypical, but then the do something that makes them completely three dimensional.
The book started off slow for me, but once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down. Not for those who are very conservative or offended easily. Nov 10, Maya rated it really liked it Shelves: Sellevision is a very inappropriate book about a few people who worked for said TV channel. One of them has an affair with her boss; another has a psychopathic son and an obsession with femininity; and a third accidentally reveals his penis on national television, and then becomes a porn star. The forth is the boss who is having an affair.
The main external conflict in this book is that all the previously said things happened. However more important than them simply happening is the fact that the Sellevision is a very inappropriate book about a few people who worked for said TV channel. However more important than them simply happening is the fact that they went public.
Then there is everybody trying to make up for it. I rate this book four stars because it is very funny. However I docked a point because its not so well written. Jun 04, Shannon rated it liked it Shelves: Augusten Burroughs' first novel I thought it kind of read like a first novel -- a little unsure of itself, sometimes weird transitions, strange ending -- but I did enjoy it. I'd read "Running with Scissors" so I was interested to see what Burroughs would do with a novel. I'm sure there's a lesson in there about materialism and the way you treat others and what-not, but I was having too much fun to notice or care.
Oct 31, Jeremy Preacher rated it liked it Shelves: I would have liked this better had I read it on the plane, which was my intent - it's not quite the sort of thing I dig, but it was funny enough. It's wildly over-the-top, which is kind of its only charm - from the intro, where the only sympathetic character gets fired from his Home Shopping Network-type job for a wardrobe malfunction of the highest order, it doesn't let up on the broad caricatures or ridiculous action.
It's badly dated, of course, but that can't be helped. I wasn't totally a fan I would have liked this better had I read it on the plane, which was my intent - it's not quite the sort of thing I dig, but it was funny enough. Others on the show include Howard Toast, married producer who has an affair with Sellevision host Leigh, until Leigh figures out that Howard is never going to leave his wife.
Leigh's announcement on the air that Howard is having an affair and that she's ending it now prompts both to be dismissed from the show though Leigh finds the strength to truly end the affair though Howard's marriage is now truly over. As the show goes on and hosts settle down to new roles, Trish Mission - an up-and-coming star on the network - has an accident in which a chocolate milkshake is spilled on her blouse. She trades blouses with a co-worker but goes on the air without a bra. During her segment, she leans forward and her left breast falls out of the shirt.
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View the Study Pack. View the Lesson Plans. Order our Sellevision Study Guide. Chapters One through Three. Chapters Four through Six. Chapters Seven through Nine. Chapters Ten through Twelve. Chapters Thirteen through Fifteen. Chapters Sixteen through Eighteen. One Year Later - the Epilogue. This section contains words approx.