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febyidrus's review against another edition
4.0
A demanding novel, but one that's definitely worth working through and reading again.
glassglassmadeof's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
j04nna's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mimima's review
3.0
There are two parts to this novel that are very hard to reconcile.
The first element is an amazing fiction (it was contemporary at the time it was written, although now I'd consider it historical fiction) filled with religious imagery, fabulous thoughts on the Red Scare, the effect of a treason charge on the children of the person, our government's culpability, and the legal process. I'd give this part of the novel 4 stars
The second part was that this novel is extremely cruel, violent, and misogynistic. This part gets a star, maybe.
How do you reconcile the two? Judicious skimming is definitely recommended.
The first element is an amazing fiction (it was contemporary at the time it was written, although now I'd consider it historical fiction) filled with religious imagery, fabulous thoughts on the Red Scare, the effect of a treason charge on the children of the person, our government's culpability, and the legal process. I'd give this part of the novel 4 stars
The second part was that this novel is extremely cruel, violent, and misogynistic. This part gets a star, maybe.
How do you reconcile the two? Judicious skimming is definitely recommended.
johnnygamble's review
4.0
So, I have matured since my first reading of this, I guess. Two stars doesn't cut it. I can now accept, and appreciate rule-breaking literature, communist-leaning literature, non-linear prose. The book is terrific and I didn't notice it the first time around, or else I was blinded because it wasn't Ragtime.
mc900ft's review
4.0
While moments of this book were ridiculously frustrating, perhaps that is the point. The style/form is absolutely captivating and forces you to be constantly engaged and focused. A difficult, but absolute worthy read.
micklesreads's review
5.0
I've rarely been upset by a book like I was by this one. The story is haunting, detailed, beautifully written and so so painful. After finishing this I immediately went to the library to get more of Doctorow.
dstuart's review
4.0
I didn't expect this book to reflect our current times as much as it did. Really powerful. A great bildungsroman, trying to find our way in this really, really weird time for america.