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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I think I liked it? Good prose, sometimes the dialogue ran on for forever. Sometimes got really really weird.
This one goes on the worthy but dull shelf for me. Like high-fibre cereal, or push-ups.
Lots of important themes and serious purpose, but Roth's writing lacks the word-magic to go with his scope or vision, the pace is slow in a plodding rather sensuous or elegant way, and I'm mystified by the abrupt transition from Zuckerman's perspective to the main story with no reference to Zuckerman thereafter (artistic license? laziness? significant postmodern literary device?).
The last chapters are a blaze of dramatic revelation, without illumination - as if Roth woke up suddenly and thought he'd better wake up the reader with some loud fireworks before nodding off at his keyboard again.
As gloves go, it's made of cowhide not peccary.
Lots of important themes and serious purpose, but Roth's writing lacks the word-magic to go with his scope or vision, the pace is slow in a plodding rather sensuous or elegant way, and I'm mystified by the abrupt transition from Zuckerman's perspective to the main story with no reference to Zuckerman thereafter (artistic license? laziness? significant postmodern literary device?).
The last chapters are a blaze of dramatic revelation, without illumination - as if Roth woke up suddenly and thought he'd better wake up the reader with some loud fireworks before nodding off at his keyboard again.
As gloves go, it's made of cowhide not peccary.
Boring first third. Pretty interesting middle third. Who knows what final third. It was a book club book, otherwise I probably wouldn't have kept shoving through.
Hmmmm. I was going to write about the interesting middle third, but I finished it a few days ago and the book is not at hand, and alas, I can't remember what it was that was interesting. I can barely remember any of it, in fact. Which might say something.
Anyway, it won a Pulitzer, so you make the call.
Hmmmm. I was going to write about the interesting middle third, but I finished it a few days ago and the book is not at hand, and alas, I can't remember what it was that was interesting. I can barely remember any of it, in fact. Which might say something.
Anyway, it won a Pulitzer, so you make the call.
I feel like maybe I’m just not the target demographic for this book. Maybe if I was 40 years older?
slow-paced
Excellent writing. Bleak, disturbing look at the dysfunctions of America in late 20th century. The concept of normality is questioned, in light of the ravages of misfortune and social division.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
The last of post-war lit's White Male Giants, Roth wrote brilliantly into the 2000s, after contemporaries like Mailer, Updike & Bellow faded in relevance. Reading Roth could feel like a dictionary exploded on the page—miles of sentences desperate to convey passion, wit & all of history at once. Not to mention his well-earned reputation for being dirty as hell. Roth didn’t rush. You had to read him slowly, with no roadmap & no guarantee you'd ever make it out the other side. RIP.
I've never read Roth and I'm feeling compelled to.
Update: I'm sure it's good, but I just don't like it.
Final update: Nope, I didn't like it.
Update: I'm sure it's good, but I just don't like it.
Final update: Nope, I didn't like it.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated