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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Well, I hated this.
Although Lou Levov gets 5 stars as a character.
Although Lou Levov gets 5 stars as a character.
A slow starter, but I loved all the characters in here. The daughter was the most infuriating but complex character and Swede Levov is an all-time favorite character of mine. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the disillusionment of the American Dream.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
I keep wanting to like Philip Roth more than I do. This book just felt like it dragged on an on. Several places he seemed to be repeating himself so I felt like I'd read a section already but it was just repeating what had been in an earlier section. And I often enjoy books that don't wrap things up neatly at the end but this one just ended. Like he got tired of writing it and just stopped. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind ending where it did or how it did.
Roth is good. This book, supposedly one of his best, is surprisingly good. But it should've been shorter.
Grindingly depressing...and really? The last third of the book takes place over the course of one evening and builds up to nothing? I guess I am a philistine
Painful to read, but worthwhile in terms of the ideas it explores and its perspective on a particular American mindset. That said, it felt a bit like medicine (good for you, but bitter), and it'll be a good couple of years before I'll try Roth again.