Leaving Las Vegas - John O'Brien BOOK REVIEW

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Big thanks to Ridge for sending me this wallet and supporting the channel! Here’s the site if you want to check them out! > ridge.com/BETTERTHANFOOD

[@glibglob8755]

Are the books in your independent store in good shape?

[@Wot50202]

It hits different when you’ve been in the shoes of a serious boozer. I can relate to the bell pepper and vodka scene he speaks about. 130 days without a drink so far.

[@DemeterTelphousia-Erinyes]

You’re brave and strong keep going!

[@ahsokaventriss3268]

Good luck, man. This movie definitely hits differently if you’ve been/are an addict. It’s one of my favorite movies that I never watch anymore. I’ve got 4 1/2 years heroin-free. 130 days is HUGE, congratulations. I still can’t picture the rest of my life without getting high again, but I know I can get through today. I know you can, too.

[@ja6975]

👏👏👏👏

[@PoetryBrothelUK]

Great news. Well done!

[@valeriathx]

👏👏congratulations

[@kirkalex5257]

Your review of this masterpiece of a novel is as perfect as the writing itself. This novel is a work of art by a great American writer. Long live John O'Brien. RIP.

[@bobhopper609]

I find that while I enjoy reading these kinds of books, they also scare me because in some ways I understand the motivations behind the characters. Furthermore I agree with them sometimes. It's weird. Anyways, thanks Cliff! I'm looking forward to picking this up.

[@suredeydo]

I'm here for the Ridge Wallet commercial.

[@shevek161]

There are dozens of us! Dozens!

[@brechtgeers]

Choosing drinking above fucking, I can relate.Luckily I choose reading above drinking too.

[@kirkalex5257]

Yes. One of the best ever written. It stays with you. It stays. So much better than most of the crap out there selling in the millions. This novel is a classic. What a great loss to literature when the author took his life. Kirk Alex, author of Troubled Diva with a Tote Bag.

[@bluebamboomusic6882]

Been wanting to read this one since I saw the film a few years back. As someone who's seen many family members descent into alcoholism, Cage's performance is truly brilliant.

[@dillonhorner7110]

Been asking for this review for years. My favorite book

[@Mr.Charlie_Toldmeso]

I found the first Sera chapter to be very brutal. Altogether it was an absolutely moving 189 pages.

[@Jamie77ize]

I've only saw the movie but it made a profound impression on me. It's the most beautifull love story ever and my favorite movie. But now, thanks to you, i'm finally getting the book. Am a little nervous because this story means so much to me. Cheers mate!

[@matthewvoyles7031]

I bought a ridge wallet. They’re great for circumcisions.

[@jackwalter5970]

Another BTF recommendation for me! Never knew it was a book. Thanks, Cliff.

[@meesalikeu]

O'BRIEN WAS A CLEVELAND GUY WHO WENT DOWN HARD, BUT LEFT THIS GLUM MASTERPIECE

[@Tom_Dylan]

I've just finished the book because of your video! Such a gem, such a beauty! Thank you for recommending it!

[@kirkalex5257]

Love what you do because YOU love what you do. Books/reading/writing have been with me during some of the toughest times. Books matter and work way better than movies or tv. A solid/well-written novel will stay with you forever. Movies? Rarely. Why? Because the brain is never engaged. While when reading the psyche has no choice but to become part of this incredible experience that reading can be (when the prose is there). Movies have always been a con job, a shallow con at that. Fakery. What celluloid could ever be. Very few actually work and stay with us. Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru comes to mind. Boy, directed by Nagisa Oshima is another that I recall. There are others. Not many, some.

[@LeSurrealDream]

Wow what a thorough and thoughtful review! I watched the movie recently and fell in love with it. I think because I personally relate so much to the characters and themes. I did not realize it was based on a book, you have inspired me to read it. Thank you!

[@dukeofmars4847]

I would love to see you give my favourite book: the curious incident of the dog in the night-time. The same wonderful treatment you've given so many other classics. That would wow me beyond the beyond.

[@Liisa3139]

I haven't read the book and I don't know if I ever will, because it seems just a bit too much for me. The idea of a kind of absolute freedom in this drinking way of life was a novel - and interesting - thought to me. I appreciate that.

[@greensombrero3641]

excellent review brother - LLV I can relate

[@MarkDouglass-dt9ky]

Great review of a great book, thank you

[@michelebuckles7865]

Can’t wait to watch this I already have this book to read. The Road is what got me back into reading 10 years ago. The quote from that book “what’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done/getting up in the morning” haunts me till this day. They book is bleak but the kid is such a light, making T Ligotti’s the bleakest book ever, it’s like kicking someone when they’re down. I’m going to go buy a couple wallets, thanks for everything you do :)

[@caniz80]

I've only read 6 books in my life Jurassic park, the beach, the tesseract, of mice and men, and leaving las Vegas (which I managed to find in a book shop while travelling in Australia in the year 2000 after trying to get a copy of the book for 3 years.) such a sad book.

[@Wonderhussy]

I read this when I first moved to Vegas 21 years ago...as a new arrival to the city, I was morbidly charmed by its fucked-up excesses, and I saw this as a sort of twisted guidebook -- a REALLY lonely planet! I still consider it the ultimate Vegas novel...and I think it's interesting that Nicolas Cage (who starred in the movie version) lives in Vegas himself, to this day

[@FlintSL]

Two reviews on the bounce...love it! This books sounds extremely painful, glad you enjoyed it though

[@jaysonnott9544]

Watched the movie years ago. Totally beautiful and horrifying. Been meaning to read the book. This review has pushed that intention into immediacy. Ordering now. Cheers 🥂 Also, would absolutely watch the “Most Depressing Books According to Cliff”

[@sebastianfavre]

Hello from Perú. Your channel is great, man.

[@antoh07]

Great review, really enjoyed it, thx

[@Bob2IzIcon]

Agreed re: LA and Vegas. I'd really recommend you watch Under the Silver Lake if you want something that really plays with the dark but fascinating underbelly of LA as a setting.

[@drewbladen1668]

I thought Under the Silver Lake was about reeling from heartbreak and the agony you feel because of it. That’s what I took from the movie

[@dillonhorner7110]

Check out the novella collection Legends of the Fall by Jim Harrison

[@markwilliams3174]

The story of the author sounds a little like the poet James Agee who was a "bottle a day man" whose demon's stretch back to his childhood when his Dad ended his life. Samuel Barber USA Classical music composer used a James Agee poem to compose Knoxville Summer 19XX. This story has the makings of a classical opera in the form of a romance & tragedy.

[@christophergiglio7912]

Hey Cliff, I had no idea this was a book! That’s what I love about this channel. I’m putting it right in my Amazon cart. I read an article on NPR’s Facebook page that I thought you might be interested in. John Waters has written a novel and it is being released Tuesday I believe. It is called Liarmouth. It should be interesting if not good

[@foolyanr.1]

I can recommend you "The mighty Angel" from the polish author Jerzy Pilch. Its also about an alcoholic writer who spends his time in rehab and get paid from other patients for writing their storys for the therapy. This book is thrilling and was also filmed. One of the best polish movies i have ever seen! (Watched leaving Las Vegas. Didnt know their is a book! Maybe i will read it some day.) PS: your wine commercial is ironic in this Video 😅 and yes I bought the book.

[@grantwallace1882]

I loved the movie and the soundtrack. I have a sample of the book downloaded. Perhaps I should read the book on a cold winter's night.

[@blakebellamy82]

I hope you do make a most depressing books video. Stoner has to be up there. I read it from your review and I still think about it all the time. Idk what it is about that novel, but it hit hard. Excited to read Leaving Las Vegas as well.

[@mustardegg2]

that book....dark

[@blakebellamy82]

@@mustardegg2 I still haven’t read it. But it’s high on my list.

[@mustardegg2]

@@blakebellamy82 i meant stoner is dark, it stayed with me...leaving las vegas is more tragic but there is light in it

[@blakebellamy82]

@@mustardegg2I’m coming back to this video because I just finished Leaving Las Vegas. Loved it, but Stoner was a better book and it still sticks with me. However, LLV is more entertaining. Can’t wait to watch the film now.

[@hendrixman121]

Another incredible novel to add to the books-with-harrowing-accounts-of-alcoholism list: A Fan's Notes by Frederick Exley

[@m.w.r.saucier3118]

Wallets like those are nice but too small for travelling. I had a nice one that was Italian leather and whoever found it first found me on facebook, messaged me they found out. Then when they realized they would need to ship it since I wasn't there anymore, they ghosted me. These wallets are too nice for travelling people!

[@meisterdiebderechte7075]

While I agree that this is one of the best books on alcohol, there is one better I believe: The Lost Weekend. Take this from a serious drinker (addict) ... also, we have some really good addiction literature in the German cannon, look up Hans Fallada for instance.

[@seanwoolford8039]

I bought Leaving Las Vegas a few years ago and it just moved to the top of my list. Thanks for inspiring that move, Cliff. :-) On a side note, I Just finished Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. While it's widely known as a sad book, it's one of the best I've ever read.

[@seanwoolford8039]

I finished Leaving Las Vegas last week. I'm still in shock. Brilliant! Loved this book. This was genius on many levels. The author was a brilliant writer. The prose was poetic, and there was no holding back on giving a reader a close up view of what co-dependency looks like amongst two broken people. I have other thoughts but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone.

[@Eric-kk5bn]

I was watching TV one day. Drowning in my own pity and desperately trying to get off of drugs and alcohol. I had to turn this movie off about 20 or 30 minus in because it was my life. Maybe 3 days later it broke thru that diamond hard shell that the demons built around me and i changed! I am a better grandfather than I was a father BUT... My kids and I have great relationships and my grandkids are my AA/NA Meetings! I am deeply a believer in the Bible and if I changes ANYone can!!!

[@Gabrielcezar94]

Love the film. Had forgotten it was based on a book. Great review! Made me wanna read it. Thanks!

[@alexbielovich]

Watched the movie this past New Year's Eve with my girlfriend, after the trailer gave the impression that it's MUCH less serious than it actually is. We enjoyed the movie nonetheless. The cinematography is beautiful. Want to read the book now!

[@IvoLouro]

Now I have to read it! Amazing review. I've watch the movie and I can tell you that it is an amazing movie. It's a piece of art.

[@rishonrajesh832]

hey Cliff, I would really love to know how you go about reading books and your system, if you have one, on retaining what lies in the text post comprehension. I would love if we could see a video on that. Please and Thank you, Rishon.

[@ShadesOClarity]

I just did a short on the movie. I haven't read the book yet, however.

[@johaneriksson8144]

Great one as always!

[@wyohtheshepherd7681]

thank you

[@MrMarkLambrecht]

Off topic question what kind of watch do you have it’s cool!

[@kenziconte1076]

It's end stage alcoholism. The shock about the book is something like alcohol is seen so harmless and bright. It's not. It's a horrible thing that has stages. The book was a long suicide note from a drunk. Like most of us. We don't drink like this to have fun. Were escaping pain and self meditating. But is there hope? I don't think so. I'm going out drinking. Drunk as I wrote this

[@BlackHoleBrew42]

Maybe find this bad Larry: The Trip to Echo Spring: Why Writers Drink Book by Olivia Laing

[@jonathanmelendez7489]

The movie adaptation has the best Nicolas Cage performance hands down 👌

[@BarkyMctreeface]

Blood Meridian is by far the best and most disturbing novel by McCarthy. My favorite.

[@sarahsurface1619]

I’d be interested to hear your review of “My Ántonia” by Willa Cather. It’s short and very sweet.

[@ryankraft8080]

I really enjoy your reviews! But, trust me, The Grass Arena

[@nullset560]

Cliff, help me remember. Years ago you did a review of some book set in a carnival? With lots of slang in the dialogue maybe?

[@Rachelllllll2024]

Maybe Nightmare Alley?

[@nullset560]

@@Rachelllllll2024 ah I think that was it! Thanks Sarah

[@Rachelllllll2024]

@@nullset560 No problem! Enjoy.

[@chadvonswan]

Do you use goodreads to catalogue what you've read, and what you want to read?

[@zhra_hghi]

Yay i love you 💓

[@HorseJoint]

Knowing that the Man committed Suicide. Holy Shit man.

[@hassankassim8078]

Yeaaah, sublime!

[@timkjazz]

Great book, great movie, great song by Sheryl Crow, great review, as always, by Cliff.

[@ryankraft8080]

Read The Grass Arena by John Healy

[@Gonorrheagorgonzola]

Something that confuses me in every video is how the ridge wallet is supposedly this crazy durable and yet they make a point that you mustn't sit on them. Like... how? I know you are just reading the ad and stuff but man it does grind my gears.

[@sjin8896]

Like the cling clang cling of the rim ram room!

[@bobcabot]

...how zen of you: "there is really nothing else anyway"! and yet the whole world is waiting for tomorrow yesterday...

[@RolandDuke]

It’s an easy and compelling read, definitely read it before you see Cages stellar Oscar winning performance.

[@bookauthor5676]

📘🎁The Great Adventures of Zion by Kerstan Yates 👉Buy Now: amzn.to/3llkcwB 👉Web Link: authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/837498-the-great-adventures-of-zion

[@dsbau]

I remember trying to read this and finding it terribly over written - the story was just burred in all this florid language. That was over 10 years ago, I'll have to have another look at it. I have an alcoholic father so I'm always interested in anything that looks at the mentality behind people that decide to destroy themselves with alcohol - the lying, manipulating, basically anything to get a drink. If my father was offered the choice between his family and the bottle he'd chose the bottle without even thinking. It's that important to him. It's not like he decided to destroy himself, it's that somehow alcohol became so precious to him that he's prepared to destroy himself, and anything around him, to have it.

[@manicmode]

Read Requiem for a Dream

[@breathevideopro]

You completely forgot to talk about the part where he steals the Declaration of Independence

[@vcackermanwrites]

If Leaving Las Vegas was John O’Brien’s suicide note, then I wonder if he killed himself after finding out the book would be a movie because he didn’t want to see someone butchering his suicide note. This isn’t to say that the movie was bad, but there’s a difference between watching your book turned into a movie and watching your suicide note turned into a movie.

[@sa8019]

You just watched the movies in this one the previous video didn't you Cliff?

[@bjwnashe5589]

"Big Sur" by Kerouac is probably even more harrowing as an account of terminal alcoholism.

[@amazonbook1666]

🎁📗📘 Hunting for the Lamb of God by Jamey O'Donnell 👉 Buy Now: amzn.to/38SldJe

[@mikeschultz6383]

Who in the hell wants to eat a bell pepper while drinking vodka 🤷‍♀️

[@kirkalex5257]

Where can peeps send books to you to be (possibly) reviewed? You are a class act, sir, because you show so much respect for the written word & books in general.

[@funcrusherplustablescraps]

I know this is weird, but what kind of watch are you wearing?

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Not weird at all - Nordgreen - They're a sponsor, thanks for asking man. www.nordgreen.com/?YT_BetterThanFood& The one I'm wearing is the Pioneer model. You can get 15% off if you pick one up with the code 'BTF'.

[@rjbenson9621]

I finished this book inside 24 hours. What a ride.

[@brando7266]

Is it better than the movie?

[@rjbenson9621]

@@brando7266 yes but they're both excellent.

[@dillonhorner7110]

Read Better by John OBrien

[@adamkrajcik4423]

I literally just watched the movie for the first time yesterday. This is an insane coincidence

[@tigmiester4248]

Send me a copy.

[@bored7743]

The movie messed me up for a few days. It really made me feel dirty in a way?