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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I debated between 3 and 4 stars and went with 4 for two reasons:
1) I really felt connected to the conflicting emotions of the protagonist. Yes, the format and language were a little contrived at times, the faux conversation seemed a little forced. But the protagonists struggle was real and true. I've felt my own conflicting emotions about America, countless times over my lifetime. In particular, the conflict with American business practices world-wide hit home with me.
2) A large part of this book was a beautiful and tragic love story. I know it was set up only as an allegory for the protagonists inability to connect to his American life, but it was still beautifully written and engaging. The fact this was an allegory, and turns the narrator into an unreliable witness only makes this more appealing to me.
1) I really felt connected to the conflicting emotions of the protagonist. Yes, the format and language were a little contrived at times, the faux conversation seemed a little forced. But the protagonists struggle was real and true. I've felt my own conflicting emotions about America, countless times over my lifetime. In particular, the conflict with American business practices world-wide hit home with me.
2) A large part of this book was a beautiful and tragic love story. I know it was set up only as an allegory for the protagonists inability to connect to his American life, but it was still beautifully written and engaging. The fact this was an allegory, and turns the narrator into an unreliable witness only makes this more appealing to me.
Interesting point of view and a refreshing writing style. Quick but good read!
Part of the problem is probably that I just read this book way too late.
Apart from this, the narration is really very clever. I planned to just read the first page to get an idea of the writing style, but immediately felt compelled to read further and finished it in two days. However, being a page turner does not mean a book is enjoyable, I guess.
To start of with, some paragraphs were really beautiful and some images very strong. I liked the firefly. I could practically feel the melancholy dripping from some of the pages, and the part in Greece was really well done: I could almost feel the sun and I fell a bit in love with Erica myself.
Other things in the book irritated me, such as the way in which Changez asked if the person he is conversing with 'likes women, or maybe men'. Or the way in which he feels the need to mention a house is definitely not 'feminine'. No really major problems, I guess.
I don't even know if there really is a major problem in this book though. I did not really like nor understand Changez (which could be personal). The message of the book was a bit too much in my face. Telling me once America is quite horrible for meddling in the affairs of other countries in their war on terror (something I have definitely heard before), is enough, telling me 60 times does not make me like you more nor understand your cause any better. And the whole love affair just felt so unnecessary and much 'Murakami' in the end. Also 'romantic' suicidal girls are another pet peeve of mine in books.
Honestly, I have no idea if these problems are my problems, or problems of the book.
Apart from this, the narration is really very clever. I planned to just read the first page to get an idea of the writing style, but immediately felt compelled to read further and finished it in two days. However, being a page turner does not mean a book is enjoyable, I guess.
To start of with, some paragraphs were really beautiful and some images very strong. I liked the firefly. I could practically feel the melancholy dripping from some of the pages, and the part in Greece was really well done: I could almost feel the sun and I fell a bit in love with Erica myself.
Other things in the book irritated me, such as the way in which Changez asked if the person he is conversing with 'likes women, or maybe men'. Or the way in which he feels the need to mention a house is definitely not 'feminine'. No really major problems, I guess.
I don't even know if there really is a major problem in this book though. I did not really like nor understand Changez (which could be personal). The message of the book was a bit too much in my face. Telling me once America is quite horrible for meddling in the affairs of other countries in their war on terror (something I have definitely heard before), is enough, telling me 60 times does not make me like you more nor understand your cause any better. And the whole love affair just felt so unnecessary and much 'Murakami' in the end. Also 'romantic' suicidal girls are another pet peeve of mine in books.
Honestly, I have no idea if these problems are my problems, or problems of the book.
Part of the problem is probably that I just read this book way too late.
Apart from this, the narration is really very clever. I planned to just read the first page to get an idea of the writing style, but immediately felt compelled to read further and finished it in two days. However, being a page turner does not mean a book is enjoyable, I guess.
To start of with, some paragraphs were really beautiful and some images very strong. I liked the firefly. I could practically feel the melancholy dripping from some of the pages, and the part in Greece was really well done: I could almost feel the sun and I fell a bit in love with Erica myself.
Other things in the book irritated me, such as the way in which Changez asked if the person he is conversing with 'likes women, or maybe men'. Or the way in which he feels the need to mention a house is definitely not 'feminine'. No really major problems, I guess.
I don't even know if there really is a major problem in this book though. I did not really like nor understand Changez (which could be personal). The message of the book was a bit too much in my face. Telling me once America is quite horrible for meddling in the affairs of other countries in their war on terror (something I have definitely heard before), is enough, telling me 60 times does not make me like you more nor understand your cause any better. And the whole love affair just felt so unnecessary and much 'Murakami' in the end. Also 'romantic' suicidal girls are another pet peeve of mine in books.
Honestly, I have no idea if these problems are my problems, or problems of the book.
Apart from this, the narration is really very clever. I planned to just read the first page to get an idea of the writing style, but immediately felt compelled to read further and finished it in two days. However, being a page turner does not mean a book is enjoyable, I guess.
To start of with, some paragraphs were really beautiful and some images very strong. I liked the firefly. I could practically feel the melancholy dripping from some of the pages, and the part in Greece was really well done: I could almost feel the sun and I fell a bit in love with Erica myself.
Other things in the book irritated me, such as the way in which Changez asked if the person he is conversing with 'likes women, or maybe men'. Or the way in which he feels the need to mention a house is definitely not 'feminine'. No really major problems, I guess.
I don't even know if there really is a major problem in this book though. I did not really like nor understand Changez (which could be personal). The message of the book was a bit too much in my face. Telling me once America is quite horrible for meddling in the affairs of other countries in their war on terror (something I have definitely heard before), is enough, telling me 60 times does not make me like you more nor understand your cause any better. And the whole love affair just felt so unnecessary and much 'Murakami' in the end. Also 'romantic' suicidal girls are another pet peeve of mine in books.
Honestly, I have no idea if these problems are my problems, or problems of the book.
I really enjoyed the narration style, and the story itself was very poignant. I saw the ending coming (and it pissed me off) but overall a very engaging and pragmatic way to explore identity post-9/11.
easy to read which is epic, making me ponder like a good book should