Reviews

Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas

andintothetrees's review

5.0

Packed full of interesting conversations and thoughtful, eccentric characters - I loved this. Full review here, on my book blog.

lisanussd's review against another edition

5.0

This was the first "nook book" that I read entirely on the nook! There are a few really good reviews already on Thomas' book, but I am happy to add a few words. Thomas threads many elements of a story: angst, writing, long-term relationships, infidelity, essential work, etc. Somehow Thomas is able to cover all of these elements within the simple context of five characters with the main character essentially thinking about and planning a book that she continues to rewrite and delete. The whole book is very Seinfeldesque because certain characters and themes disappear and emerge at times when you least expect them.

At times, Thomas is spending time "lecturing" about the function and elements of literature from the historical perspective of literature which could be a little dense. Some of it went over my head! However, I was able to understand the metaphor dealing with complex numbers.

Thomas is a gifted writer and very smart. Definitely a book to reread.

rucha's review against another edition

4.0

to my surprise, this book amazed me, I’m attached to it! a character driven writing style that at first makes me nervous (because Meg reminds me of myself in so many ways), but when I reach the middle of this book I was completely into it! it’s getting even better and better and better!

this book filled with so many interesting ideas, there are so many aspects of ordinary things that we can relate. and I love how this book mentioned lots of good works from Plato, Aristotle, and other philosophers, then connects it to the characters inside this book.

if you love to read a book that talking about the aspects of life lightly, this is it!

moirastone's review

3.0

An interesting idea - a story about the idea of storyless story, or how the real can only be eclipsed by the fictional - that I don't think quite worked in the end. Then again, I like narrative.

bookishmey_'s review

5.0

Me gustaría poder deciros por qué me ha encantado pero la verdad es que no sabría ni cómo explicarlo ni cómo resumir este libro.

purplehazer's review against another edition

4.0

This book is maddening. The writing itself is brilliant, and I was engrossed with the story itself, even though it was a kind of storyless story. However, the theory in it dragged the story and the characters down and mired it in too much abstract thought. Parts of it were genius, and some of the discussions about narrative I found fascinating, but the whole idea and plot line about Kelsey newman's book pained me greatly. The final conversation with Josh in the pizza place made me want to flush the book down the toilet, and i honestly think the book could have stood alone without a single mention of it, and been a darn sight better besides.
Great writing but too much theory for my liking, especially made up crap that doesn't seem to add anything to the story!!

undeadcleo's review

5.0

There's no way this is a perfect book, but it was perfect for me... witchcraft, the sea, rambling spiritualised physics and lengthy discussions of narrative structure what's not to love?

categal's review

3.0

I don't know what Scarlett Thomas calls her style of writing, but after finishing this, I think I'd call it magical metafiction. Meg is trapped in a dead end relationship with Christopher (who sounds like a bag of damp socks forgotten under the bed), and she is making ends meet by writing genre fiction and running writing seminars at the expense of writing her "great novel". Luckily, there are plenty of walks around town and seashore with her dear of a dog B. Part of telling the story is talking about telling the story, and so when a magical element is introduced early on, buckle up, because we are going on the magical mystery tour, complete with a discussion of magical mystery tours.

I love her voice, I love these main characters who are flawed and fumbling, but also endearing and interesting. The cold and asthmatic damp got to me, and the cheating characters too - what's up with that? Why not end the relationship and move onto the next on? Most of the story is spent building up to the story, and so there are many dark nights and damp, chilly dog walks. I'm glad I stayed for the end, but if it wasn't summer by me, I might not have made it.

7markers's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

anastasiaadamov's review against another edition

2.0

This book killed me a bit on the inside.
I picked it up for its weirdness. I thought I would like it for its weirdness.
It was maybe too weird...
I had trouble getting into the book and after it only depressed me.
There were some deep and humbling thoughts trough the book.
The poverty and pettiness in the book really got to me in a bad way...

Needs more sunshine, needs more happy...