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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
2.5 stars. Not what I expected (which is fine) and longer than it needed to be (not the best).
I read this book after reading Egan's The Keep, which I unconditionally loved, although this book was written first. For me, this book started off really strong but deteriorated as it went on.
Phoebe, the protagonist, feels that she's wasted her life by being too cautious (but she's only 18!!). I can relate to that feeling and I'm older than 18. She goes to Europe, as her sister had, thinking that she's going to become a free spirit like her sister. This book kind of goes against the typical outcome by showing that changing your surroundings doesn't change you.
All in all, I liked the book but I think I kind of gave it a free pass because of how much I loved The Keep. The storyline was kind of bland especially all the traveling descriptions. It's hard to describe the negative aspects of this book without spoilers, so ...
Spoilers ahead:
I think the story was ruined when Phoebe met up with her sister's boyfriend Wolf in Germany. I would have liked the book better if it was just about Phoebe's breakdown/depression/self-loathing. Wolf was annoying, he tells Phoebe (and the reader) one thing and then 50 pages later, he's like "Oh, remember that thing I told you awhile back, yeah well I lied, but it was only to protect you, here's what really happened...". Many times. It got old. There was no reason for him to wait so long to tell her everything that happened to her sister except to drag out the book so they could travel to another locale.
Phoebe, the protagonist, feels that she's wasted her life by being too cautious (but she's only 18!!). I can relate to that feeling and I'm older than 18. She goes to Europe, as her sister had, thinking that she's going to become a free spirit like her sister. This book kind of goes against the typical outcome by showing that changing your surroundings doesn't change you.
All in all, I liked the book but I think I kind of gave it a free pass because of how much I loved The Keep. The storyline was kind of bland especially all the traveling descriptions. It's hard to describe the negative aspects of this book without spoilers, so ...
Spoilers ahead:
I think the story was ruined when Phoebe met up with her sister's boyfriend Wolf in Germany. I would have liked the book better if it was just about Phoebe's breakdown/depression/self-loathing. Wolf was annoying, he tells Phoebe (and the reader) one thing and then 50 pages later, he's like "Oh, remember that thing I told you awhile back, yeah well I lied, but it was only to protect you, here's what really happened...". Many times. It got old. There was no reason for him to wait so long to tell her everything that happened to her sister except to drag out the book so they could travel to another locale.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jennifer Egan’s first novel - A Visit from the goon squad is one of my favourite books so I knew I’d at least like the writing style in this book.
I felt the start slowly dragged but it was a great foundation for the rest of the novel as it takes place across Europe. As the story progresses towards a big revelation, I didn’t mind the suspense as I felt like all the characters we meet along the way were so interesting and fleshed out.
I cannot wait to continue by Jennifer Egan journey!!
I felt the start slowly dragged but it was a great foundation for the rest of the novel as it takes place across Europe. As the story progresses towards a big revelation, I didn’t mind the suspense as I felt like all the characters we meet along the way were so interesting and fleshed out.
I cannot wait to continue by Jennifer Egan journey!!
dark
mysterious
reflective
Puh the German translation is horribel? Couldn't bring myself to read further, what a pain
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes