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aeliesee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
3.0
Great story, brilliant, very descriptive
brianbasketball's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was a phenomenal book. Although long it was paced super well, and I loved the time jumps to be able to see the Counts progression and maturity through life.
And I enjoyed the count/narrarators style so much. The references , half of which went right over my head, are a very fun way of telling the story and describing people and places. A lot of chekov’s gun moments too, which makes sense as he is a pretty big side plot w mishka.
I want to read the bread book.
And I enjoyed the count/narrarators style so much. The references , half of which went right over my head, are a very fun way of telling the story and describing people and places. A lot of chekov’s gun moments too, which makes sense as he is a pretty big side plot w mishka.
I want to read the bread book.
ilman002's review against another edition
1.0
I, once, took a road trip and spent 23 hours on the road alone. I had more fun then than I did whilst reading this tedious, pretentious, unbelievable mess of a book. I'll be brief.
1) It's boring.
2) The author isn't familiar with "Show, don't tell" concept. Endless descriptions of nothing page after page after page. Parts that could be described in a sentence get paragraphs and pages instead.
3) Predictable plot.
4) Historically, this book is amusingly ridiculous. Just one example: our hero - a well-known aristocrat - survives the Great Purge. Suuuure. Excuse me, 14-25 million people (yes, estimates vary that much) were imprisoned in Gulags from 1929-1953 and yet, somehow, our hero, an enemy of the State was able to avoid that fate. And we don't even know how many people were executed by the OGPU. Please, tell me more...
5) It's boring. It's unbelievably boring. This book was a chore to read. It derailed my reading in February completely. Nothing significant happens in this book. The only reason why i was able to finish it is because it was for a book club.
How this book became so popular and so well-received is beyond me.
There are shorter, better written books that explore similar themes in a less painful fashion.
I'm just so relieved that this torture is over and I can finally read something else.
1) It's boring.
2) The author isn't familiar with "Show, don't tell" concept. Endless descriptions of nothing page after page after page. Parts that could be described in a sentence get paragraphs and pages instead.
3) Predictable plot.
4) Historically, this book is amusingly ridiculous. Just one example: our hero - a well-known aristocrat - survives the Great Purge. Suuuure. Excuse me, 14-25 million people (yes, estimates vary that much) were imprisoned in Gulags from 1929-1953 and yet, somehow, our hero, an enemy of the State was able to avoid that fate. And we don't even know how many people were executed by the OGPU. Please, tell me more...
5) It's boring. It's unbelievably boring. This book was a chore to read. It derailed my reading in February completely. Nothing significant happens in this book. The only reason why i was able to finish it is because it was for a book club.
How this book became so popular and so well-received is beyond me.
There are shorter, better written books that explore similar themes in a less painful fashion.
I'm just so relieved that this torture is over and I can finally read something else.
clmw85's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
isabellahansen's review against another edition
I really tried but this book bored me to tears
mellamaron's review against another edition
A book club pick that I gave 10% as a pity read because I hate historical fiction.
I was bored out of my mind. I can't even tell you what the point of the book is. :)
I was bored out of my mind. I can't even tell you what the point of the book is. :)
lweisman's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0