Reviews

I'm glad I took a break and read some other stuff, because, despite how good the writing is, l'm working more than I am enjoying reading this book. I insisted I should read it because I remember my Uncle once calling it one of the Great American Novels, but this is not a book he gifted me or told me he thought I should read. Sometime, I'll read Seize the Day and then Herzog and maybe I'll come back to this.

aquamarinecadet's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

2.5

go girl, give us nothing 😍 this book took me WAY too long to finish

so, just kidding? but only partly.
augie march is definitely not "the all-time once-met-never-forgotten american" in the way one would think; he's just a lucky impressionable nutjob who constantly excuses his buddies' (mostly male, for the record) horrible theories and behavior because they have one tiny sliver of humanity

"he discovers the world - and himself - with all the brashness and gusto of a modern columbus"
where was the brashness :D and where was the gusto :D

there were little nuggets of wisdom hidden amidst the insufferable (stock) characters and augie's slow descent into complacency-induced misogyny though, so. 3 stars

tildafin16's review against another edition

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challenging funny hopeful 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

2.0

fionab_16's review against another edition

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adventurous funny slow-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

4.5

obie191970's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No

4.25

fistpuncher's review against another edition

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3.0

This was the first book I chose to read from the Time top 100 American novels of the past 100 years list. I've never read Bellow before, but I can see why this book would be considered as an American classic. I really enjoyed Bellow's style, but it took real concentration to get through the style - lots of commentary and character description. The story was good, but almost felt like the story was there just to allow Bellow's artistic freedom to shine.

This book isn't for everyone, but if you like books that are not quick reads, but that are maturely written, you'll like this.

therealkathryn's review against another edition

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Not for me. I thought I was not in the mood to read but really I was not in the mood to read this. Things happen to Augie - he falls into jobs, meet people who take care of him - but he doesn't seem to initiate any of it himself.

I will admit the writing is very good.

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