Reviews

Sleepwalk by Dan Chaon

murph2244's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

This book offered a cool not-too-distant future setting that, while not thoroughly fleshed out, was cool to explore as backdrop for the story. I did really enjoy the main character’s search for a sense of home and family in a world that had forced him into solitude.

timna_wyckoff's review

4.0

The voice of the narrator of this book...just fantastic! The premise...so weird, and compelling. The way the actual situation just keeps being revealed...really well done. I've liked everything I've read by this guy -- I should probably go back and read the ones I've missed!

kbtrost's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

jjb_1013's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

cachou's review

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

halierivers's review

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

This was a 4 star until about 80%. The story was still interesting but there are SO many loose ends and the information never really…made sense? I think there was too much put in one book and so it left a lot of questions. 

The ending was…ok? 

I liked the MC. He was flawed and had a bit of dark humor the whole book. I liked the cult angle but it felt really messy at the end. 

Either way, it wad a short ride and still fun to read. 

katel1970's review

5.0

This book was so, so, so profoundly odd, and I loved it!

natew's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

3.5

mpmccarthy_'s review

3.0

Alluring thriller sci-fi meets long-winded thought. (3.75/5)

Chaon starts off on the right foot: a mercenary of numerous aliases is contacted via burner phone by a young woman claiming to his daughter. Bothered by the prospects of fatherhood, he apprehensively gives in to unearthing her conspiracies in an ill-defined technologically-advanced, but ailing future. On route to their reunion, his past is exposed as more tainted than previously understood.

Throughout, Billy’s character was believable, charismatic, and complete. Others along the way seemed mostly developed. And the mysterious relationships and events added up to a great twist. But, Chaon bored me with Billy’s incessant longing to be a father. At the same time, it felt incredibly unnatural for him. He was comfy with his “work” and happy with his dog and camper. So how does a random call warrant his wordy rumination of yesteryear?

duparker's review against another edition

4.0

First time reading this author. I can see why people enjoy his writing. It was fast paced, a bit off kilter and well written. I like the character and his interactions, but most of all, I liked that the story doesn't linger on facts, or acts that are superfluous. About 30 pages in, I hoped this was a reoccurring character, because it is a lot of fun to read.