Scan barcode
telemesmerism's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Rape
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
When I started the first chapter of Ghostwritten I was completely hooked. Religious cults who believe they can teleport and will do anything for their blind faith? Sounds brilliant, yes please! But then that chapter finished and suddenly we're with a young adult manning a music store, which just felt anticlimactic and dull.
As I got further into the book I began to appreciate each new, seemingly separate story, and understand the wonderfully intricate connections that ran through them as we travelled the entire world embodying new characters. Some I absolutely loved (Bat's chapter at the end is so clever), and some I loathed to the point where I found it a little uncomfortable; a mark of how dated books can feel in only 20 years. Neal, I could've done without your entire character, thanks.
Each story essentially stands on its own, which for some was a disadvantage because they just weren't as interesting as others (sorry Satoru!). But what they do brilliantly is cover a huge range of cultures, locations, backgrounds and beliefs, which was fascinating almost without exception.
By the end, I have to say I was a little lost. I had to make a cheat sheet to keep all the random connections in my head, and by the final chapter I'm honestly not sure if I'd actually understood what was going on; though I appreciated the idea that things had come full circle. Maybe I missed something, maybe it's supposed to be unclear, but either way I lost a bit of my enthusiasm as a result.
As I got further into the book I began to appreciate each new, seemingly separate story, and understand the wonderfully intricate connections that ran through them as we travelled the entire world embodying new characters. Some I absolutely loved (Bat's chapter at the end is so clever), and some I loathed to the point where I found it a little uncomfortable; a mark of how dated books can feel in only 20 years. Neal, I could've done without your entire character, thanks.
Each story essentially stands on its own, which for some was a disadvantage because they just weren't as interesting as others (sorry Satoru!). But what they do brilliantly is cover a huge range of cultures, locations, backgrounds and beliefs, which was fascinating almost without exception.
By the end, I have to say I was a little lost. I had to make a cheat sheet to keep all the random connections in my head, and by the final chapter I'm honestly not sure if I'd actually understood what was going on; though I appreciated the idea that things had come full circle. Maybe I missed something, maybe it's supposed to be unclear, but either way I lost a bit of my enthusiasm as a result.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Racial slurs
the_literarylinguist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Cannibalism, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual content
More...