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taylor_riegs's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
timinbc's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't work for me. Perhaps because it is so firmly set in the real world and asks us to believe only one fantastic thing -- but no, because many books I've liked more have done exactly that.
I give Donohue credit for having a shop that is always there but almost always dark. One grows tired of the "shottle bop" trope where the store wasn't there last week and isn't there next time we go back.
Perhaps I was most bothered by Theo's approach of
Or by Muybridge - not because he doesn't fit here adequately, but because in the last year I've probably read three other books that included Muybridge for no apparent reason other than that the author read about him and thought he was cool.
It's well-written stylistically - one doesn't notice the author at all, just the story. But on the whole it's dull and slow-moving. Some may say that's a brilliantly-paced slow-build, but I don't.
Suppose we take the central premise of what happened to Kay. Is it handled plausibly? I suppose it is; there's a consistency to it. And if the author chooses to give no explanation, fine - he probably would have become bogged down if he had tried.
Looking back from the rushed ending, I wonder of Kay's plight was indeed supposed to be If so, it wasn't sold well.
Frankly, when I got to where Theo was told not to look back, I thought, "oh no, there's the ending all laid out" and sure enough, it was ... but to be fair I suspect many of us had already picked up that this wasn't going to be a happily-ever-after.
This may well have been a better book than I am remembering. But I won't read it again to find out.
I give Donohue credit for having a shop that is always there but almost always dark. One grows tired of the "shottle bop" trope where the store wasn't there last week and isn't there next time we go back.
Perhaps I was most bothered by Theo's approach of
Spoiler
friend: "Dude, your wife's become a puppet" Theo: "oh yeah, huh? Let's go look for her."Or by Muybridge - not because he doesn't fit here adequately, but because in the last year I've probably read three other books that included Muybridge for no apparent reason other than that the author read about him and thought he was cool.
It's well-written stylistically - one doesn't notice the author at all, just the story. But on the whole it's dull and slow-moving. Some may say that's a brilliantly-paced slow-build, but I don't.
Suppose we take the central premise of what happened to Kay. Is it handled plausibly? I suppose it is; there's a consistency to it. And if the author chooses to give no explanation, fine - he probably would have become bogged down if he had tried.
Looking back from the rushed ending, I wonder of Kay's plight was indeed supposed to be
Spoiler
Hell - has she died? And is being seen as jerky puppets by the real world a reflection of the faulty memories survivors have of us?Frankly, when I got to where Theo was told not to look back, I thought, "oh no, there's the ending all laid out" and sure enough, it was ... but to be fair I suspect many of us had already picked up that this wasn't going to be a happily-ever-after.
This may well have been a better book than I am remembering. But I won't read it again to find out.
bookish_emily's review against another edition
3.0
The Motion of Puppets is a modern interpretation of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, with a mysterious puppet shop serving as the Underworld. It's hard to tell whether the book is intending to be a suspense/horror story or more of a supernatural mystery/love story. Though a slow read at times, it is fun getting to know the personalities of the different puppets in the shop and to observe the development of the friendship between Theo and Egon. Good for fans of fiction involving the real world with slight elements of the supernatural.
turtle2queen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pbandjane_library's review against another edition
It was a very cozy read, but I couldn’t get into the story with my current work and life schedule.
bechapter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
slow-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? No
3.75
This book really broke my heart.. I enjoyed the two perspectives here, feeling the emotions of a man losing his love.. because it's written by a man, so I get it..
I just don't like Kay's character, what's wrong with her?? and her obsession with acrobatics, performances, foolish women. But I can't blame her either, because when you turn into a puppet, you can't feel emotions like a human anymore.. Maybe that's normal.
Once again, Theo.. I'm so sorry..
Sometimes love can kill you.
Pretty satirical, isn't it?
I was skeptical at first, but in the last chapters, my feelings were mixed, I was excited and hopeful, yet empty and futile. Hollow.
Well done, you've really shattered my heart.
(well, I was quite entertained by some innocent and humorous characters.. Some playful sentences just flowed naturally.. And overall, this book is worth reading)
I just don't like Kay's character, what's wrong with her?? and her obsession with acrobatics, performances, foolish women. But I can't blame her either, because when you turn into a puppet, you can't feel emotions like a human anymore.. Maybe that's normal.
Once again, Theo.. I'm so sorry..
Sometimes love can kill you.
Pretty satirical, isn't it?
I was skeptical at first, but in the last chapters, my feelings were mixed, I was excited and hopeful, yet empty and futile. Hollow.
Well done, you've really shattered my heart.
(well, I was quite entertained by some innocent and humorous characters.. Some playful sentences just flowed naturally.. And overall, this book is worth reading)
theangrystackrat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pillywiggin's review against another edition
2.0
I really disliked this book. It was similar to "The Stolen Child" with themes of what makes a person who they are and lost identities, but where "The Stolen Child" made me sigh with contentment at the end, this left me irritated. The pacing was slow, and I did not like the tone.
ariesofblue's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of the book was slow for me. I wanted more of a mystery, with Theo playing a more active role in finding his wife at the beginning. Instead, Donohue accurately showed us a man grieving and in pain, and a woman coming to terms with the her new, strange life. I respect this choice for the story, but it wasn't for me.
The second half was much more interesting. Overall this book was ok. Great concept, slightly creepy for spooky season, and true to the human experience.
The second half was much more interesting. Overall this book was ok. Great concept, slightly creepy for spooky season, and true to the human experience.