Rating: 
Summary: Stunningly effective
Review: First of all, the Amazon reviewer is completely incorrect in stating that the title story, "Sam The Cat", is about a guy who falls for a "drag queen". The guy becomes obsessed with a man who has long hair, is married to a woman, and is singularly uninterested in the overtures made by the hero. There's nothing about a drag queen in the story, so I'd suggest the reviewer read the story, or maybe just check the book jacket synopsis. The reviewers who find this stunning selection of stories to be misogynist or sexist also need to read the stories, and not rely on other reviews. True, the men here are struggling with relationships, marriage, and sex, but since when is that a crime? They are aware enough to know that they should be having feelings about the women in their lives that are more profound, but they are clueless about how to get to that point. So they aren't great marriage material... with a divorce rate in this country of 50%, I'd say they are a fairly accurate reflection of real life. As for the complaint that the women are not realistic, that may be true to the extent that we generally see them through the eyes of the male characters..... but that's a legitimate technique to give us yet another glimpse into the psyches of the male narrators.
Rating: 
Summary: If You Can't Stand the Men, Get Your Nose Out of the Book
Review: I hated this book. This is not to say it is a bad book, it isn't, it is well worth reading. However, if this a true description of how men think, it is truly amazing the human race manages to flourish. As a fairly accepting and rational person, I was horrified by Klam's characters' thoughts and actions. Please, say it isn't so! Women, if you want to to know what that guy was thinking, read this to find out. After reading it you'll see that even if you knew, you wouldn't understand!!! Mr. Klam is a highly talented writer. His characters' thoughts and actions are rendered vividly. There wasn't one I related to or felt the least bit of positive emotional tie to, indeed not due to any deficiency in Mr. Klam's writing but because of it. These are not characters I could just read about. Their utter otherness captivated me against my will. Even though I did not enjoy the stories or their revalations of the characters' inner workings, I could not ignore them. I may have even laughed once or twice. This book has left an indelible stain on my psyche. Good, bad or otherwise, it is impossible to ignore.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book
Review: I recently re-read There Should Be A Name For It (in the New Yorker) and I was KNOCKED OUT AGAIN!I don't write online reviews for books -- but I have been waiting for this one for so long I figured I owed it to somebody. I have been following Matthew Klam's fiction in the New Yorker for a long time and what I have to say is these stories stay with me and make me think and argue with my boyfriend (in a good way) and keep coming back to me. He's one of my favorite writers -- I only wish he'd been writing longer so there would be more of his stuff for me to read.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for the Beach
Review: If you are only going to read one book this summer, make sure it's Sam the Cat that goes into your beach bag. Awesome, Awesome book!
Rating:
Summary: Stronger than he lets on.
Review: Klam hits your "yes, that's exactly how it is" button so often that after a while, reading him, it just stays stuck in. It may not appear to be deep-the author is willing to risk involving the reader in plots centered on the mundane-but the connection is true true true. Not the first writer to have dug into the fiascoes of late 20th century mating and come up shaking his head. One of the few to build actual stories from the detritus. No clinkers between these covers.
Rating: 
Summary: One-trick Pony
Review: My wife and I have been discussing this book for weeks since we both read it. I enjoyed the writing on EVERY PAGE -- how often can you say that about a book? My wife, on the other hand, was uncomfortable with some of the coarse language, graphic descriptions, and uninhibited reality of what many men feel in relationships and in other parts of their life. Relationships can be confusing, especially when you think about what you're supposed to feel, to do, etc. This book is an uncensored look at what many men feel, even though most (unlike the author, I guess) are careful not to reveal these thoughts. Some women (and men) may mistakenly find the book sexist or even misogynist, but the truth is, this book is very true -- and did I mention it's a great read? Take it to the beach, or take it to bed. But don't take it -- or yourself -- too seriously. If you can't appreciate anything else, enjoy the wonderful prose.
Rating: 
Summary: mixed feelings
Review: sam the cat is a very entertaining book. matthew klam is witty and his stories are concise and humourous. however, i couldn't help but find them repetitive - each deals with an insecure (usually sexually) man and the problems in his relationship (usually with a woman). the male characters are usually reprehensible (though they are are capable of some very funny moments). as the writing is intelligent and funny, it is also repetitive and by the end of the book, the stories seem to blur together because of their similarities.
Rating:
Summary: Funny stories on postmodern (or postmodem?) male crisis
Review: The stories are funny, and are a good, cynical portrait of the insecurities and confusions of your typical heterosexual ( or something... read Sam the Cat's story)post-feminism,post-modern,postmodem male. The only flaw is that some stories appear too packed and too rushed. A more attention to details and athmosphere would have helped
Rating:
Summary: funny, daring, and smart
Review: This is one of my favorite books of stories of the past 10 years, at least. Klam's stories are willing to take great risks in their explorations of men and their ambivalent feelings toward themselves, and women, and committed love. A first-rate talent!
Rating:
Summary: funny, daring, and smart
Review: This is one of my favorite books of stories of the past 10 years, at least. Klam's stories are willing to take great risks in their explorations of men and their ambivalent feelings toward themselves, and women, and committed love. A first-rate talent!
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