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smbla's review against another edition
2.0
I have a conflicted relationship with John Banville I am never sure that I enjoy his work and yet I read his books as soon as they are published. The Blue Guitar leaves me in the same quandary-there are parts I absolutely loved and moments that stick with me and yet I have a flat feeling about this novel. Oliver Orme is a painter and a thief (really more of a kleptomaniac) married to Gloria, he is definitely in the midst of a midlife crisis and has an affair with Polly who is married to Marcus.
It is one of those stories that nothing really every seems to work out for the characters -the affair ends with Oliver bolting, we learn some truths about Gloria and her feelings and external relationships, Polly changes course and Marcus meets his end. I did enjoy Oliver's response when he realized something had been stolen from him-the shock and realization that he was not the only thief. All in all the characters were just not likable perhaps contributing to my Banville ennui and lackluster response to this book.
It is one of those stories that nothing really every seems to work out for the characters -the affair ends with Oliver bolting, we learn some truths about Gloria and her feelings and external relationships, Polly changes course and Marcus meets his end. I did enjoy Oliver's response when he realized something had been stolen from him-the shock and realization that he was not the only thief. All in all the characters were just not likable perhaps contributing to my Banville ennui and lackluster response to this book.
mercedesol_'s review against another edition
4.0
This was my first Banville book and, while I found the story somehow mediocre, I fell in love with this man's writing. He'll dazzle you while talking about the mundane. He'll make you go to the dictionary at least once per page. He'll have you highlighting quotes all over. I'm in love.
jumbleread's review against another edition
3.0
Mystery book. But I just couldn’t relate to the main character - darn.
queleoar's review against another edition
1.0
Este libro, lamentablemente, el primero del 2017, no me ha gustado nada. Desde que comenzo me pareció denso y díficil de leer por el estilo entre poético y sumamente descriptivo en que esta narrado. Me resultó imposible conectar con los personajes, entender sus historias, sus formas de pensar, particularmente me sucedió con Olly, su protagonista, cuyas complejidades no logré entender. Considero que la historia esta contada de manera tal que resulta mucho mas intrincada de lo que resulta ser, sobrándole muchos capítulos y episodios cuya inserción en la novela aun no comprendo. Una pena porque fue un libro que me cautivó en la libreria, al que quise dar una oportunidad y que ha terminado decepcionandome bastante :(
athravan's review against another edition
4.0
The Blue Guitar is a look into the life of Oliver Orme, who by his own testament is a "painster", an angst filled frustrated artist. He comes across as a wind-bag, a whiner, a coward and a thief, yet despite his many negative qualities, does evoke sympathy. He lost his three year old daughter to illness and it's clear that he has been crashing downwards since then, a demonstration of the profound nature of grief, disappointment and desperation.
The first half of the book was a struggle for me to read. I don't read lofty literary fiction often; although mostly enjoy it when I do, but I found that the narrative was a little too static, a little too meandering and dare I suggest, even redundant, for me to connect to. There were times early on when I felt that the brilliant prose was there purely to show off the authors linguistic skill - which is tremendous.
As we moved on I became more involved with the book, more understanding of Oliver's character and his motivations. He is obsessed with the an objects "essence", something emotional, intangible and unobtainable. He no longer paints because of his frustrations over being unable to adequately portray that essence, so instead, has taken to stealing. The act of stealing, he believes, reactivates the object's essence and is more about the emotional loss that the previous owner feels, than any physical value the object has. His biggest theft to date is perhaps the most meaningful one - his friend's wife.
The writing is entirely reflective, leaping from storytelling to aimless meandering, from the upbeat to the melancholy. The subject and theme jumps around but the spirit of Oliver Orme is captured completely. Thinking about Oliver Orme made me consider and reflect upon my own life, my own disappointments and frustrations. I struggled to write this review, because ultimately I do not have the skill to put into words the musings that I took from this read, so all I can do is recommend it.
There is no doubt in my mind that John Banville is a master at his craft, obtaining what Oliver desperately sought, the ability to bring art to life.
I appreciate the opportunity given to me with an ARC of this book - my thanks go to Penguin and NetGalley.
The first half of the book was a struggle for me to read. I don't read lofty literary fiction often; although mostly enjoy it when I do, but I found that the narrative was a little too static, a little too meandering and dare I suggest, even redundant, for me to connect to. There were times early on when I felt that the brilliant prose was there purely to show off the authors linguistic skill - which is tremendous.
As we moved on I became more involved with the book, more understanding of Oliver's character and his motivations. He is obsessed with the an objects "essence", something emotional, intangible and unobtainable. He no longer paints because of his frustrations over being unable to adequately portray that essence, so instead, has taken to stealing. The act of stealing, he believes, reactivates the object's essence and is more about the emotional loss that the previous owner feels, than any physical value the object has. His biggest theft to date is perhaps the most meaningful one - his friend's wife.
The writing is entirely reflective, leaping from storytelling to aimless meandering, from the upbeat to the melancholy. The subject and theme jumps around but the spirit of Oliver Orme is captured completely. Thinking about Oliver Orme made me consider and reflect upon my own life, my own disappointments and frustrations. I struggled to write this review, because ultimately I do not have the skill to put into words the musings that I took from this read, so all I can do is recommend it.
There is no doubt in my mind that John Banville is a master at his craft, obtaining what Oliver desperately sought, the ability to bring art to life.
I appreciate the opportunity given to me with an ARC of this book - my thanks go to Penguin and NetGalley.
danixcalero's review against another edition
2.0
nunca pensei ler sobre um homem gordo, ruivo, egoista, depressivo e q tem fetiches com pés mas aqui estamos nos..
juiesmei's review against another edition
3.0
I liked The Book of Evidence far better, though I think this warrants another reading, perhaps in the future.