From what I can gather from a 2008 email discussion about this book, I had watched and loved the movie The Ice Storm and wanted to read all of Rick Moody's books. Unfortunately, I was bored to tears and couldn't even skim my way through it. I considered giving it another try here, 13 years later, but neither my libraries nor Hoopla have any ebooks. I found a first edition hardcover with dustjacket for a total of $14 but when I look at the Goodreads reviews, I don't think I should risk it / waste my time/money.

Garden State by Rick Moody
We have traveled to and spent several days in the garden state and wanted to learn more about it.
NJ Alice is a rhythmic guitarist and works at a diner to make ends meet. All done with school they each don't have ambition to do something with their lives.
Dennis is an artist. Neil is a night watchman. Her mother is in the hospital after her car drove itself on the garden parkway and crashed.
Drinking, drugs and sex experimentation are described. Story follows their lives and their troubles and triumphs.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device). ( )

I feel like I've read this before. The damage and the fragility and the fumbling and the cruel beauty are familiar images to people of my generation. ( )

I didn't dislike this book, but I think it was brought down a little by having seen the movie based on the book. The movie is quite different and I was continually expecting the storyline to gravitate towards the movie - it didn't really. I loved the movie, just liked the book. ( )

Well written, the of ennui of the privileged and pitiable youthful suburban life is well described. Was it a subconcious and postmodern attempt at Catcher in the Rye? ( )