Scan barcode
athousandgreatbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Don't have much to say about this one.
All throughout the book, I was trying to find a thread that I could call plot, characters that I would give a toss about, but, alas, nothing. The book is fast-paced, sure, but if it can't make me give a shit about the characters, I don't know what it's good for.
There were a few paragraphs that had the potential to be developed into something vaguely coherent, but they were few and far apart. It seemed by the middle of the book even the author had given up, but ground through and got it published all the same.
Full disclosure: I actually wanted to get [b:Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas|7745|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas|Hunter S. Thompson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394204569l/7745._SY75_.jpg|1309111] by the same author but the bookstore didn't have it, and Rum Diary was an impulsive buy. Serves me right, I guess
All throughout the book, I was trying to find a thread that I could call plot, characters that I would give a toss about, but, alas, nothing. The book is fast-paced, sure, but if it can't make me give a shit about the characters, I don't know what it's good for.
There were a few paragraphs that had the potential to be developed into something vaguely coherent, but they were few and far apart. It seemed by the middle of the book even the author had given up, but ground through and got it published all the same.
Full disclosure: I actually wanted to get [b:Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas|7745|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas|Hunter S. Thompson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394204569l/7745._SY75_.jpg|1309111] by the same author but the bookstore didn't have it, and Rum Diary was an impulsive buy. Serves me right, I guess
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
2.0
A few fun parts, but mostly just a normal read. Not a lot happened (unless you count chugging as straight rum on a daily basis...). Interesting that it's semi-autobiographical I guess?
jared_gumbs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nonetheless_she_read's review against another edition
5.0
Too accurate a description of the way this island traps us.
ben_whackley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
blondierocket's review against another edition
4.0
While it was enjoyable, and often times reminded me of Fear and Loathing with everything going on in the book, it took me a long time to become interested in the story enough to continue. I originally started it a year ago and is one of the few books I’ve put down and never came back to. It is mainly a drunken rum induced adventure of a newspaper man, Paul Kemp, who can’t decide if he wants to stay or leave. By the time I got through the last page, I found it enjoyable.
jasminedanai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“the lonely sound of time passing in the long Caribbean night”
Brilliant depiction of the downwards spiral of alcohol on the senses and perceptions.
Beautiful descriptions of San Juan that set the mood
Brilliant depiction of the downwards spiral of alcohol on the senses and perceptions.
Beautiful descriptions of San Juan that set the mood
is_book_loring's review against another edition
3.0
I wonder how this book able to inspired me. Perhaps because I was desperate. Nonetheless, I read it for the second time because I need to find that thing that moved me long time ago. Didn't find it though. A book could turns out to be so different if we read it again years after at different phase of life. Now in the new light, what I saw was terrible characters went through drunken wandering trying to find the 'it' in life and failed miserably. But it was still entertaining somehow.