Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
This was my first experience with Salman Rushdie, so I don't know how typical it is, as far as the language and prose style. There were many things to like in this story, not least the mystery of its realness or fictionality. The narrator, Rene, is a filmmaker, whose interest -- obsession, really -- is Nero Golden, a wealthy immigrant, and his sons. The Roman names invoke a sense of epic, reinforced by their rarefied position of extreme privilege, albeit shaded in some dodgy business in their country of origin. But despite their mythical names, these men are merely human, and they are subject to the pitfalls of life just like every other mortal man. What kept me interested, beyond the sweeping scope of the story, was not knowing how much was real, and how much was part of the story Rene was weaving. He admits several times that some details are embellished, in the name of drama, and at times it seems he can't actually remember which parts have really happened and which parts he has made up. In the end the main theme is the love and devotion of fathers to sons, and it all winds up feeling a bit prosaic, not quite living up to its promise or my expectations.
Prodigious, sweeping tale narrated by a young film-maker, Rushdie’s latest centers around a wealthy family that emigrated to America to escape a nefarious and tragic past. The three sons and current wife of the family patriarch, who has taken the name Nero Golden, are particularly memorable and well-detailed, each dealing with his or her own secrets and conflicts which shape the family dynamics. Set in 2008 to present day, and focusing on the recent political turmoil in the U.S., Golden House touches on a diverse array of topics such as gender identity, autism, crime, art, vengeance, gun control, political correctness, integrity (or lack thereof), the role of fate, death, just to mention a few. It asks the question “Can destiny be escaped via reinvention?”
The author liberally inserts cultural, literary, and movie references, which may be unfamiliar to some readers, possibly requiring a bit of research to glean the author’s full intent. I found the first quarter of this book to be a bit slow, but still interesting, as it introduced and fleshed out the characters. I found Golden House both an entertaining mystery and culturally relevant social commentary.
Recommended to readers who enjoy inventive, erudite fiction and an intellectually stimulating writing style. This novel is due to be released in September 2017. Thank you to NetGally and the publisher for providing an advance copy in return for candid feedback. See more of my reviews on Goodreads or www.bookbalcony.com
The author liberally inserts cultural, literary, and movie references, which may be unfamiliar to some readers, possibly requiring a bit of research to glean the author’s full intent. I found the first quarter of this book to be a bit slow, but still interesting, as it introduced and fleshed out the characters. I found Golden House both an entertaining mystery and culturally relevant social commentary.
Recommended to readers who enjoy inventive, erudite fiction and an intellectually stimulating writing style. This novel is due to be released in September 2017. Thank you to NetGally and the publisher for providing an advance copy in return for candid feedback. See more of my reviews on Goodreads or www.bookbalcony.com
Can you have a complicated relationship with a book?
This book is, in a lot of ways, Rushdie processing the 2016 election and a culture he doesn't understanding anymore.
This book is, in a lot of ways, Rushdie processing the 2016 election and a culture he doesn't understanding anymore.
I loved this book but wow it was a tough read. It was my first Rushdie, I didn't realise how intricate his writing was. The story was exciting... politics, murder... an Indian Great Gatsby in a way. Would recommend if you have the time and mental bandwith!
Offensive and innacurate description of an autistic character. It is through a 1st person narrator who is flawed, but it was a very long section that made me very uncomfortable.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this. I'm a big fan of Rushdie but I must also admit that the books I read were hardly fast-paced. I think it took me over 2 months to finish Midnight's children, for instance. The Golden House is quite fast-paced and lacks a bit of the superbly intricate writing I'm used to. However, the characterisation is done masterfully and the philosophical musings on the concepts of good and evil, heroes and villains are very sophisticated. This is one for the five star list, would absolutely recommend.
This was a breath of fresh air, a taste of what novels can be.
I have been rather indiscriminate and random in my book picks lately and have been reading some pretty average stuff. From page one I realised that The Golden House is one of the top end of the spectrum.It is intelligent, relevant and speaks to my love of quizzes. There are so many references to cultural, historical and political phenomena that make me feel smart for recognising them, yes, it speaks to my intellectual vanity.
The novel is narrated by Rene Unterlinden, a young film-maker who decided that the Golden family will be the focus of his big project. At first he often hides behind a first person plural perspective, speaking as 'the neighbours' who all speculate and gossip about the new tennants and slowly learn more. Later when he gets more and more involved (at some point involved would be an understatement) with the Goldens the story becomes more detailed and personal.
We start of with 4 Golden men, at that point we know that their names are invented and their origin unknown. All we know is that they suddenly had to disappear somewhere and ended up in New York. Along the way we get better acquainted with each of them and learn more about their history. At first the Goldens seem powerful, influential and above all untouchable. They seem to have the type of power that places them beyond reach of the law and their enemies, but chapter by chapter they reveal their personal weaknesses and nobody can escape their fate/nature.
This book is incredibly contemporary, starting the day Obama was elected president and ending eight years later after the next president takes the throne.
I have been rather indiscriminate and random in my book picks lately and have been reading some pretty average stuff. From page one I realised that The Golden House is one of the top end of the spectrum.It is intelligent, relevant and speaks to my love of quizzes. There are so many references to cultural, historical and political phenomena that make me feel smart for recognising them, yes, it speaks to my intellectual vanity.
The novel is narrated by Rene Unterlinden, a young film-maker who decided that the Golden family will be the focus of his big project. At first he often hides behind a first person plural perspective, speaking as 'the neighbours' who all speculate and gossip about the new tennants and slowly learn more. Later when he gets more and more involved (at some point involved would be an understatement) with the Goldens the story becomes more detailed and personal.
We start of with 4 Golden men, at that point we know that their names are invented and their origin unknown. All we know is that they suddenly had to disappear somewhere and ended up in New York. Along the way we get better acquainted with each of them and learn more about their history. At first the Goldens seem powerful, influential and above all untouchable. They seem to have the type of power that places them beyond reach of the law and their enemies, but chapter by chapter they reveal their personal weaknesses and nobody can escape their fate/nature.
This book is incredibly contemporary, starting the day Obama was elected president and ending eight years later after the next president takes the throne.
3.5 stars rounded up. I liked it much better than the previous one (2D,8M,28N), though there's still a lot of words for a little story. But this time the author managed to keep things interesting. It's not the magic of old Rushdie though.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes