245 reviews for:

Lanark : una vida en 4 libros

Alasdair Gray

4.04 AVERAGE

zacharyngow's review against another edition

5.0

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wow. i don't have much to say yet...

some bits:
-it is like the divine comedy, or atleast Hell (I haven't finished Hell or gotten to the other parts yet); books 3,4 have multiple overlapping hells; the world of books 3,4 bleeds into reality and almost seems more real than books 1,2 occasionally
-there is a lot of Kafka influence; the world of books 3,4 is like the Axletree/Babel stories in Unlikely Stories, which are inspired by Kafka short stories
-there is a lot of biblical influence
-there is alice in wonderland, especially in the tunnels
-I am not well read enough to see the other influences noted in the index of plagiarisms
-I loved the party scenes
-I loved the political discussions
-sex scenes not so much
-i loved the names; sludden = slattern; gloopy ?; monboddo (apparently a real Scottish judge)
-i don't really get who is who in the Canongate Canons cover
-the semi-autobiographical stuff is great
-Monboddos speech about automation was great and is quite relevant today

GOODBYE

vardamanisme's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jamessmurthwaite's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

corscada's review against another edition

2.5

challenging dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kattisch's review against another edition

1.0

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I lied. I did finally finish this book, but it took me almost 3 years to do it, and I still have absolutely no idea what the book is about. It's like the author was drunk and on LSD, heroine, and shrooms when he wrote it... and not in a good way. Worst. Book. Ever.

oshrouder's review against another edition

4.0

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A bit disappointed by the ending of this, which tends towards a sort of internal political cocophany in the vein of Floyd's The Wall or Beau is Afraid, because the rest of it was really great. Loved the introduction of the parallel world/vision of Hell that is Unthank, and the Thaw sections shimmered with character depth and realism. It just goes a bit off the rails by the end

thayawar's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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One of the best things I have ever read. I was fully gobsmacked throughout and adored every moment. 

caurylark's review against another edition

challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Thank God it's over

elephant134's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Sometimes amazing, sometimes a slog. Loved the inventiveness though 

g_roy89's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark funny sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes