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nicollette421's review against another edition
5.0
I went into this book with low expectations and a bit of skepticism, but wow what a surprise. The writing is so clever; it’s one to soak up slowly rather than rip through heedlessly. I read some reviews that said there are no likable characters but I honestly liked them all! At times I was even unsure of whose team I was on. Either way, I was so anxious the whole time and even though I didn’t rush through it, I was always eager to know what happened!
spookystag's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
strodejazmyn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.75
rely's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
Fun read. A lighter talented mr. Ripley.
tfmcgill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
brettcarl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
billingsleyk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
the_old_gray_cat's review against another edition
4.0
Two young and poor gay men are in Venice, hoping to scam a wealthy man. At the beginning this appears to be yet another glitzy crime caper, I thought at first Bollen might be ripping off Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley", but very soon I realized I was reading a very moving and powerful work of literary fiction. I loved this book so much that I find it difficult to start reading anything else.
Bollen's characters feel very real; he has a particular gift for dialogue. He also does a great job at capturing the atmosphere of Venice with all its sodden, reeking glorious beauty.
Bollen's characters feel very real; he has a particular gift for dialogue. He also does a great job at capturing the atmosphere of Venice with all its sodden, reeking glorious beauty.