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kate_303's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.25
claireburr's review
5.0
Initially I thought this was a somewhat precious look at pre-gentrification Brooklyn. But I was wrong. While it is a detailed and historic portrayal of 70's Brooklyn, there is so much more here (unexpected, so I won't ruin it). The book moves in directions that I never expected.
aust1nz's review
3.0
At its core, this is a coming-of-age book about Dylan, a precocious white child who grows up in a black Brooklyn neighborhood in the 1970s. His journey parallels his neighbor and best friend, Mingus, a black boy the same age. Both are into comics, and both are being raised by their emotionally withdrawn fathers.
The first half of the book traces Dylan from elementary school through high school graduation, and circles back regularly to Mingus (their paths eventually diverge.) Without giving away too many spoilers, there's a chronological shift forward around the halfway point where we catch up with thirty-something Dylan twenty years later. Here the novel sort of loses its way.
Childhood Dylan is occasionally selfish but relatable; adult Dylan is childish himself, and Lethem makes sure the reader knows it. The story begins to fray as we follow Dylan through some selfish and self-destructive actions in several points in his adulthood. There's a ring with real superpowers, which plays off as exaggeration in the beginning of the book but is actually an important plot point during an out-of-place caper in the climax.
Ultimately, Letham's portrait of 1970s New York through his child protagonist's eyes is a worthwhile read, even though the adult story sputters.
The first half of the book traces Dylan from elementary school through high school graduation, and circles back regularly to Mingus (their paths eventually diverge.) Without giving away too many spoilers, there's a chronological shift forward around the halfway point where we catch up with thirty-something Dylan twenty years later. Here the novel sort of loses its way.
Childhood Dylan is occasionally selfish but relatable; adult Dylan is childish himself, and Lethem makes sure the reader knows it. The story begins to fray as we follow Dylan through some selfish and self-destructive actions in several points in his adulthood. There's a ring with real superpowers, which plays off as exaggeration in the beginning of the book but is actually an important plot point during an out-of-place caper in the climax.
Ultimately, Letham's portrait of 1970s New York through his child protagonist's eyes is a worthwhile read, even though the adult story sputters.
nderiley's review
3.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved the writer's voice - such beautiful descriptions - but I felt it almost took too much concentration to read. I also felt some of side themes distracted from the personal story being told. I liked reading about the main character Dylan and his experience growing up, but getting into detail about album covers of this and that band made boring stretches for me personally.
sammilynnebob's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
trentsky's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable read, although perhaps 100 or so pages too long. This novel follows the life of Dylan Ebdus as he grows up in Brooklyn and on into his adult life. There's a twist of Dylan discovering a superhuman ability or two. I really liked the book's concept, but in the end felt Lethem could have done more with it. Really nice writing, though, with some good character development. I'll be looking for more of this author's work.
ella1801's review
3.0
Lethem's style grew on me as I read. Motherless Brooklyn will go in the to-read queue. With any luck, all his Brooklyn fiction will have the same outward subtlety and quietness and subdermal franticness and zeal.
Supposedly this one is vaguely autobiographical, but if so it's as true a magical-realist novel as any I've read. I'm a Chabon-style purist, and it's showing: all the comic book and super hero derivation is non-commital, surface, seminal without being visible in the novel's outcome.
It's less bildungsroman, more just a character through the years and varying vantages. Coming-of-age? Not quite. Disappointing on this criterion as well.
Supposedly this one is vaguely autobiographical, but if so it's as true a magical-realist novel as any I've read. I'm a Chabon-style purist, and it's showing: all the comic book and super hero derivation is non-commital, surface, seminal without being visible in the novel's outcome.
It's less bildungsroman, more just a character through the years and varying vantages. Coming-of-age? Not quite. Disappointing on this criterion as well.
obie191970's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.5