Reviews

Le gang de la clef à molette by Edward Abbey

tman7499's review against another edition

adventurous funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

stlake's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I read this book because a woman I love has a father for whom this book is an invaluable novel. They are very good people. This is why I was committed to finishing it, but I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s hard to tell if the author is actually racist and sexist, or if the characters are simply supposed to be real portraits of people he just equips with unchecked racism and sexism— in either case, I found the writing ironically cynical when it came to the dialogue and descriptions of characters. 

Of course, this leaves the reader to remember: people needn’t be perfect to devote themselves to a worthy cause. 

The overall plot and message of the book, is admirable and worthwhile though. I liked what the characters were up to and why. There are some really great sentences throughout— which make the writing style rewarding. Little prizes throughout to those who read it carefully. 

Overall: there are valuable lessons to be learned from this gang of unlikely bedfellows. The nature is definitely the star of this novel. Tough character development and dialogue. Dislikable rhetoric and characterization. Enticing writing style. 

Inspiring for future eco terrorism. 

adholmes3's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

ktringali's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ejwatson's review against another edition

adventurous funny slow-paced

2.0

ghamblock1's review against another edition

1.0

Abandoned at 53%. Meh.

biolexicon's review against another edition

1.0

Even with a concept as exciting as vigilante eco-justice, I struggled to make it through this novel. The pace was excruciatingly slow, the characters were flat and the action was few and far between. Most of the book was made up of landscape descriptions and dry meandering thoughts of the isolated, predictable main character. I want to be irritated with the portrayal of women in the book and the dull sex scenes but every other character was just as one-dimensional as they were so it is excused. It is a wonder I made it through the book, I gave up at least twice.
Though, I will say that nature writing with rugged male protagonists is a genre that, in general, I don't care for.

hollipapa's review against another edition

adventurous informative reflective 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? No

4.0

baileygrinter's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

cgpc's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes