Official Review: Get Off My Lawn by Valerian Ruminski

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InStoree
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Official Review: Get Off My Lawn by Valerian Ruminski

Post by InStoree »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Get Off My Lawn" by Valerian Ruminski.]
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2 out of 4 stars
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It is almost impossible to avoid people who behave stupidly. They proudly stand behind their annoying habits that can be labeled as bad manners. Do you have a neighbor who just needs to mow his lawn early in the morning when you are still asleep? Or maybe you remember the guy who races his car up and down the street every evening, just to display his masculinity? Sadly, due to their ignorance, these people seem to be oblivious to how irritating their actions can be. They expose us often to their nonsense, draining all feelings of positivity until there is nothing left but exasperation.

In this collection of stories, Get Off My Lawn! 100 Annoying Habits of People ...in General, Valerian Ruminski expresses his annoyance by ranting about one hundred unbearable acts that we observe in modern society. He has described these habits in a satirical manner, adding a humorous tone to his writing. From the author's creativity in labeling these people as "ignorant fools," I could create a glossary of all his unique slang. In each story, he was able to coin a term that related to the scenario in question. By satirizing these nasty habits, he highlights some educational social problems, such as racism, religious conflict, pampered children, animal abuse, or the incorrect speech of the English language. Yet, some stories looked more like a cascade of invectives that came close enough to the brink of brutal criticism. The story "It's One or the Other" features people who wear socks with sandals, and the author harshly names them "fool[s] with a head injury." This seemed to lean more toward a censorious condemnation on personal preference than general social issues. The elderly typically sport this fashion, and I'm assuming that it could be either to hide their aged and worn-out feet or it could be a blood circulation problem where socks are needed to keep their feet warm.

If you are a person who is bothered by the sound of wood or metal scraping across the floor in a coffee shop, then just like me, you will find the story "Drag that Chair, Quasimodo" entertaining. "Steal Anything That's Free" criticized greed and how some people demolish their dignity by presenting kleptomaniac tendencies. However, I wasn't able to relate with the author's opinion from the "Ketchup with Those Fries" story where ketchup should be savored only with hamburgers and hot dogs. For me, this belief seemed a bit exaggerated.

I am not sensitive to the use of profanity in certain circumstances where it could shake and make a person conscious about the gravity of the problem, but the author's overuse of expletives made this read quite toxic. There are high chances of bumping into a story that you may find unpleasant regardless of your ethnicity, religion, or life principles. Thus, I will recommend it to fans of satire who don't feel attached to their own mindset or beliefs and to readers who appreciate the spread of education through a loosened tongue. Considering all the above, I would have rated this collection of stories with 2.5 stars; but I believe a score of 2 out of 4 stars is more appropriate for this satirical book.

This book appeared to be professionally edited, as I only noticed a few punctuation errors and misspellings which can be easily overlooked. However, I would have loved to see one hundred annoying habits of people which focuses on a more communal disorder effect on society than on the author's inflexibility towards other people's personal tastes or lifestyles. His technique of scornful writing seemed to easily slip towards a more judgemental viewpoint. A careful selection of the stories, slight detoxification of the language, and a more tolerable tone might bring this work closer to a perfect score.

******
Get Off My Lawn
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Post by Bhaskins »

It sounds like it could have been really funny as we all have those things that annoy us. I would like to read it, but it seems as if maybe it boarderlines on being cruel.
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Post by Laila_Hashem »

Sounds hilarious. The many spelling mistakes would put me off more than the profanity though. Great Review!
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Post by Stephanie Elizabeth »

It is too bad that profanity is overused in this book; I think it should be only be reserved for the times that it truly warrants it. Otherwise, the book sounds quite funny and I am sure many of us could create our own stories about annoying habits! Thanks for the wonderful review!
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Post by Nisha Ward »

Though the judgmental nature of the book may get to me, I can't help but want to read it anyway. Sometimes people just do things to annoy you and you can't help yourself. I'd like to see what falls into this category for the author and why he felt the need to express that in a book. It certainly seems like there will be some sort of entertainment value to be gained from it.
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Post by Radiant3 »

The stories seem to cover a range of things that are somehow annoying to the writer. From the downright irritating things to some things that are not so obviously annoying. Perhaps the level of profanity is a way of expressing the level of annoyance the writer feels about these things. I am curious to read the book though, it sounds really funny.
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Post by Wanjugush »

This sounds like a fun book to read. Maybe I can get tips on how to deal with the annoyance or avoid it altogether. Great review.
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Post by kandscreeley »

Most any kind of comedy will offend you if you listen to it long enough. They go after everyone. I have those annoying neighbors in my neighborhood, but I do wonder if the language would be a not gratuitous for me. Thanks for the review.
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Post by Prisallen »

I was just thinking that this book sounds very judgemental, and I dislike books like that as I think we should all be more tolerant, not less. Thank you for a wonderful review!
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Post by InStoree »

Bhaskins wrote: 31 Aug 2019, 07:46 It sounds like it could have been really funny as we all have those things that annoy us. I would like to read it, but it seems as if maybe it boarderlines on being cruel.
It does contain some annoying scenes that people often do which the author manages to put in a humorous light. On the other hand, consider avoiding personal attacks. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Laila_Hashem wrote: 31 Aug 2019, 07:53 Sounds hilarious. The many spelling mistakes would put me off more than the profanity though. Great Review!
There were just a few misspelling, so you might consider reading it. It has a hilarious premise, indeed! Thanks for stopping by, Laila!
Stephanie Elizabeth wrote: 31 Aug 2019, 09:58 It is too bad that profanity is overused in this book; I think it should be only be reserved for the times that it truly warrants it. Otherwise, the book sounds quite funny and I am sure many of us could create our own stories about annoying habits! Thanks for the wonderful review!
I did enjoy the comical approach, despite all the expletives and offensive descriptions of these ignorant people. I hope you'll give it a try! I appreciate taking the time to read my review. Thanks, Stephanie!
Nisha Ward wrote: 31 Aug 2019, 10:30 Though the judgmental nature of the book may get to me, I can't help but want to read it anyway. Sometimes people just do things to annoy you and you can't help yourself. I'd like to see what falls into this category for the author and why he felt the need to express that in a book. It certainly seems like there will be some sort of entertainment value to be gained from it.
It definitely was an entertaining book, as an overall, with some educational nuances. The improvements I proposed had the purpose of expanding the target audience. I believe the core of this book should reach to as many readers as possible. Overlook the author subjectively, and I'm positive you will enjoy this satirical work. Happy reading, and thank you for commenting, Nisha!
Radiant3 wrote: 31 Aug 2019, 14:39 The stories seem to cover a range of things that are somehow annoying to the writer. From the downright irritating things to some things that are not so obviously annoying. Perhaps the level of profanity is a way of expressing the level of annoyance the writer feels about these things. I am curious to read the book though, it sounds really funny.
I agree to use profanity to highlight his feelings. I felt his deep irritation at these disturbing habits during the reading, along with the amusing contrast between ethics and immoral behavior. However, the aggressive tone and offensive labeling of some particular subjects made me reflect on the fine line between the satirical approach to actions, situations and an average attack on a personal level; and I believe that the author slipped over the line, in some of the stories.
Thank you for sharing your opinion, Radiant! It is much appreciated! Happy reading!
Wanjugush wrote: 31 Aug 2019, 17:40 This sounds like a fun book to read. Maybe I can get tips on how to deal with the annoyance or avoid it altogether. Great review.
I avoid giving any spoilers, but as I said in my review, you would definitely get a tip on some funny nicknames for this kind of people. Thanks for stopping by, Wanjugush!
kandscreeley wrote: 31 Aug 2019, 18:32 Most any kind of comedy will offend you if you listen to it long enough. They go after everyone. I have those annoying neighbors in my neighborhood, but I do wonder if the language would be a not gratuitous for me. Thanks for the review.
From a personal point of view, I do not quite agree to hide a malicious intention behind the comedy. But I understand what you mean and how extensive this area of ​​ironization can be; you can spread it on any subject, indeed, but there is no difference between the constructive-hilarious critique and the hostile-grumpy one? Anyway, this could be an entertaining read, if you think you can ignore the expletives. Thanks for the comment, kandscreeley!
Prisallen wrote: 01 Sep 2019, 08:13 I was just thinking that this book sounds very judgemental, and I dislike books like that as I think we should all be more tolerant, not less. Thank you for a wonderful review!
I agree! There are some more lenient forms of expression of these annoying habits while preserving the elements of satire. Thank you for sharing your viewpoint, Prisallen!
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Post by Amenrodion »

Apart from the overuse of profanity, this sounds like a book I would thoroughly enjoy, as I am a huge fan of sarcasm
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Post by Erin Painter Baker »

Profanity doesn't bother me. I actually have to pay really close attention to even notice it, so that aspect wouldn't bug me at all. If the book is meant to be satire, then I would guess that the small things are treated the same as the big things as part of the humor/point of the book. I don't eat ketchup at all, so my answer to that is that it should all be thrown away. I will have to ponder reading this one.
Thanks for the review.
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Post by Cecilia_L »

I really dislike the overuse of profanity that you described. Thanks for the honest review.
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Post by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda »

I can understand how this book could be offensive for some people, but I think I would find it hilarious. It's good to laugh even at our own flaws or annoying habits. Great review, thanks!
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Post by Chrystal Oaks »

I don't mind profanity only if it adds to the story, but cursing for the sake of cursing is not for me. :eusa-naughty: I think I'll pass on this one. Thanks for the candid review! :-)
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